There’s a Spanish saying that goes, "El que se fue a Sevilla, perdió su silla," meaning "He who left for Seville, lost his chair." But after spending two weeks in Seville this summer, I can assure you that no one loses their seat there—on the contrary, the city is full of chairs waiting for you to enjoy a café con leche on a hot summer day, share tapas with Serrano ham or listen to flamenco near La Giralda.
I traveled from Georgia to Seville to participate in the College Board AP Spanish Teacher Workshop hosted by Centro MundoLengua, a language school based in the heart of the city. The first week was all about discovering Seville, while the second was dedicated to an enriching AP workshop led by Laura Zinke from the University of Arizona.
I stayed in a charming apartment in Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville's old Jewish quarter during the Christian reconquest. I chose it for convenience, but the maze-like streets had other plans. The winding paths often led me astray, but La Giralda tower became my compass, always guiding me back. Breakfast was a daily ritual: café con leche and toast with avocado, tomato, Serrano ham, and the best extra virgin olive oil I’ve ever tasted. The heat—hovering around 100°F—didn’t stop the crowds from walking the city's narrow streets, some so tight you had to turn sideways to let cars pass.
Day 1: We started with breakfast hosted by MundoLengua and met fellow Spanish teachers from all over—Hawaii, Hong Kong, Maryland, California and more. A walking tour through Santa Cruz full of history and stories with our guide Antonio kicked off the week.
Day 2: Our guide Sergio led us to Itálica, the birthplace of Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian. We explored ruins, mosaics, and an impressive amphitheater. Later, we visited Casa Pilatos, a stunning palace blending Islamic and Renaissance styles.
Day 3: We tried our hand (and feet!) at sevillanas—a flamenco dance style—in a local studio. Though I didn’t master the steps, the experience was unforgettable. We closed the day with a flamenco show at the Cristina Hoyos Flamenco Museum, learning about her work in Carlos Saura's flamenco film.
Day 4: We crossed the Guadalquivir River via the Puente de Triana to attend a ceramic workshop, where we learned to design azulejos. I ambitiously picked a tile inspired by the Alhambra—still a work in progress! That evening, we toured the breathtaking Royal Alcázar, full of Islamic art, gardens, and fountains.
Day 5: We headed to Bailippo for our first oleoturismo experience—learning all about the production of olive oil. A highlight: tasting extra virgin olive oil with chocolate ice cream!
To top it all off, I got to see my favorite Mexican band, Maná, live at Plaza España—with front row seats! An unforgettable surprise.
Week 2: Back to school we went. Our AP training felt like the first day after summer break—exciting and a bit surreal. Our instructor shared invaluable strategies and resources, and we collaborated to design units for our students. Evenings brought more culture: cooking paella, visiting the bullring at La Real Maestranza and climbing to the Cathedral's rooftops. As I reflect, flamenco music still echoes in my mind. I know I’ll return to Seville one day. And when I do, there’ll be a chair waiting near La Giralda, a café con leche in hand, and the sounds of flamenco drifting in the air.
Professional growth and development are high priorities for Darlington. Each year, faculty and staff members participate in a professional growth cycle that includes professional learning communities, professional development days, and the ability to apply for professional development grants which fund conferences, travel, workshops, instructional supplies, outside speakers, and more. This blog series will highlight some of the opportunities that faculty and staff have participated in since they were awarded 2025-2026 Thatcher Grants last spring.
