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In my teaching practice, I rely on research-supported methods and approaches, such as task-based language teaching, to build a student-centered learning environment in the classroom. From novice to advanced learning levels, students perform pedagogical tasks designed to enable real-life language use. Students also interact with authentic input in the form of videos, songs, and literary texts selected for their language level. My teaching philosophy fosters empathetic relationships between students and the new cultures, encouraging engagement with sociopolitical issues, and promoting cultural knowledge. See below what my students say and a list of the courses I have taught and developed.
I also have administrative experience as Portuguese section leader at Utah State University and, at Indiana University, as assistant to the Department of Spanish and Portuguese’s Chair, the Director of Graduate Studies, the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and the Instructor of Record of the Professionalization Workshop Series. In these roles, I have:
co-led undergraduate and graduate student recruiting initiatives (information sessions, print materials, visiting days, social media presence, recruitment video editing);
collected, analyzed, and presented data about mental health and community building to improve wellness in the department;
organized wellness forums and community-building events;
created and managed social media pages, electronic mailing lists, and newsletters;
co-led early and advanced graduate student professionalization workshops sessions.
What my students say
What my students say
"Marcela is a marvelous instructor; her teaching is clear and accessible. I really appreciated the structure of this course – we had many smaller assignments that built upon each other, and the consistent, lower–stakes assignments meant I got near–daily exposure to the language which I found extremely helpful. Through our writing assignments I was able to build a portfolio of texts in Portuguese which covered five distinct genres. This is without a doubt the most effective language course I have ever taken, and I hope to have the opportunity to take another of Marcela's classes in the future."
— Advanced Grammar and Composition (HISP-P311)
“She made difficult and often very grammar book topics interesting and fun. Never thought a grammar and composition class would be my favorite class I took this semester. Also it meant so much to me that she had a background in Spanish because I knew things in Spanish that would either help or hurt me when speaking Portuguese that had nothing to do with English. A versatile teacher that helped a diverse range of students and language backgrounds. ”
— Advanced Grammar and Composition (HISP-P311)
“I enjoyed Marcela's organization, the range of activities we did and their grounding in concrete cultural realities. She gave us a window into the literary tradition in Portuguese. My favorite class was when when we met at the Eskenazi Museum.
— Advanced Grammar and Composition (HISP-P311)
"Patience is always a great quality of any language instructor, and it definitely was seen in this class. I also appreciated open communication and the organization of the class into well–developed modules on Canvas."
— Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
“I loved the variety in activities, and how comfortable the class environment was. I never felt bored in class, I was always engaged in class material and always found it interesting. I also loved the use of language partners to practice the language in a real-world environment.”
— Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
“My Portuguese skills have significantly improved because of Marcela’s teaching style and use of body language. She was an excellent instructor and I wish could take my next course with her. I also enjoyed the Portuguese language partner exchange.”
— Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
“The language partner program was one of my favorite sections of this class and the last one. I think it is a great opportunity and really helps to solidify a lot of the things we learn into a more everyday form.”
— Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
“I loved language partners! It was such a fun way to get to know someone while also using the language in a more casual way. I think the structure was very well done, and I personally wouldn’t change it!”
— Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
“I liked most how I felt like I was constantly practicing my skills and could apply knowledge through preparation activities, in–class work, and post–class homework. Portuguese partners was a very neat activity that was truly such an impacting experience. I also loved the variation in learning in this class. The knowledge this professor has about Brazilian culture and her passion for it made learning all aspects very interesting!”
— Second-Year Portuguese II (HISP-P250)
“I loved the organization of this class, the little quizzes and readings weren’t daunting but meant that I was grappling with the course material almost every day and the modules were so well organized I knew exactly what was expected of me. Marcela was fantastic at being flexible and compassionate during a ridiculously hard semester and genuinely wanted us to do well, she is the sweetest.”
— Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
“I liked everything about the course and instructor. She is always prepared for class, and the structure is very easy to follow. She is very friendly and understanding. She encourages learning and always provides helpful feedback. All of the work was enjoyable and directly related to our learning.”
— Second-Year Portuguese II (HISP-P250)
“Marcela is the best Spanish teacher I have ever had. She always came to the class prepared and excited to teach. She scheduled extra time outside of her office hours to work with me on concepts I was struggling with. She always explained all of the course content thoroughly and made sure everyone had a fair chance to succeed. Marcela is patient, kind, and a wonderful educator.”
— First-Year Spanish (HISP-S105)
“I liked how responsive Marcela was with her students. Learning a new language virtually can be hard, but Marcela always answered her messages and email and explained everything in perfect detail.”
— First-Year Spanish (HISP-S105)
“I really liked how Marcela was willing to go on understanding. A new language is hard to learn and she was willing to be slow for people who needed help, but not too slow. It was a comfortable pace to work at. It seems as though she knows how to teach an online class because of how well put together everything was. She was very understanding in certain situations in the time of a pandemic.”
— First-Year Spanish (HISP-S105)
“I liked this instructor because she was approachable and always very positive. She included culture in the lectures, which I enjoyed. She was very passionate and encouraged students to do their best.”
— Elementary Portuguese 1 (HISP-P100)
“I liked most how nice Marcela was and how she included outside related information on what we worked on.”
— Elementary Portuguese 1 (HISP-P100)
“She made the material from the textbook much more accessible and applicable to real life.”
— Elementary Portuguese 1 (HISP-P100)
Teaching Experience
Teaching Experience
Assistant Professor (Fall 2024)
Utah State University
Survey of Brazilian Literature (PORT3630)
A historical panorama of the development and consolidation of a literary system in Brazil, from the first known writings produced in Brazil to contemporary and decolonial artistic reflections on culture and national identity by women, Afro-Brazilian, LGBTQIAPN+, and Indigenous writers and artists. Assignments include critical and creative responses to literary texts.
Assistant Professor (Fall 2024)
Utah State University
Introduction to Translation Studies in Portuguese (PORT3540)
This course offers the knowledge, resources, and tools necessary for the advanced Portuguese student to develop a novice degree of translation competence and autonomy in the language pair English-Portuguese. Opportunities for practice are provided through translation exercises, larger translation tasks, and the semester’s translation project. Our practice targets legal, audiovisual, literary, technical, and academic translation from Portuguese to English and English to Portuguese.
Associate Instructor (Fall 2023)
Indiana University Bloomington
Advanced Grammar and Composition in Portuguese (HISP-P311)
Activities include community engagement efforts such as participation in the Bridges Language Program and the development of individual online composition portfolios, a students’ product showcasing their written and spoken Portuguese proficiency and functional adequacy.
Associate Instructor (Fall 2023)
Indiana University Bloomington
Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
Activities include the Language Partners program, through which students connected with Brazilian learners of English to talk in Portuguese and English and build relationships across cultures.
Associate Instructor (Summer 2023)
Indiana University Bloomington
Associate Instructor Orientation Co-Facilitator, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL), workshop on Learning and Teaching Theories
Teaching Assistant (Spring 2023)
Indiana University Bloomington
Graduate Study and Professionalization I and II (HISP-S504)
Teaching Assistant (Fall 2022)
Indiana University Bloomington
Graduate Study and Professionalization I and II (HISP-S504)
Associate Instructor (Summer 2022)
Indiana University Bloomington
Brazilian Portuguese for the Business Is Global (BIG) Summer Language Program, Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) at Indiana University Bloomington.
Portuguese language and Brazilian culture classes for high-school students envisioning a business career. Students gather in teams to complete a final project competition focused on specific countries. The São Paulo - Brazil team was among the 2022 winners.
Associate Instructor (Fall 2021)
Indiana University Bloomington
Second-Year Portuguese I (HISP-P200)
Activities included the Language Partners program, through which students connected with Brazilian learners of English from the Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica to talk in Portuguese and English and build relationships across cultures.
Associate Instructor (Summer 2021)
Indiana University Bloomington
Brazilian Portuguese for the Business Is Global (BIG) Summer Language Program, Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) at Indiana University Bloomington.
Portuguese language and Brazilian culture classes for high-school students envisioning a business career. Students gather in teams to complete a final project competition focused on specific countries. The Rio de Janeiro - Brazil team was among the winners.
Teaching Assistant (Spring 2021)
Indiana University Bloomington
Structure of the Portuguese Language (HISP-P425/525)
Associate Instructor (Fall 2020)
Indiana University Bloomington
First-Year Spanish (HISP-S105)
Associate Instructor (Spring 2021)
Indiana University Bloomington
Second-Year Portuguese II (HISP-P250)
Activities included the Language Partners program, through which students connected with Brazilian learners of English from the Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica to talk in Portuguese and English and build relationships across cultures. Students reported that this program helped them have a sense of community during the pandemic.
Associate Instructor (Fall 2019)
Indiana University Bloomington
Elementary Portuguese 1 (HISP-P100)
Associate Instructor (Spring 2020)
Indiana University Bloomington
First-Year Spanish (HISP-S105)
Teacher (2014-2017)
Maximus-Premium High School, Santa Luzia, Brazil
Elementary and high-school English courses
Teaching Assistant (2012-2013)
Federal University of Minas Gerais
Novice and intermediate English courses
Curriculum Development
Curriculum Development
Luso-Afro-Brazilian Women in Translation (Fall 2025)
Utah State University
Portuguese Medical Interpreting (Fall 2025)
Utah State University
Graduate Study and Professionalization I and II (HISP-S504) (2022-2023)
Indiana University Bloomington
Portuguese for Doing Business in Brazil (HISP-115/P490) (2021-2023)
Indiana University Bloomington
Administrative Experience
Administrative Experience
Portuguese Section Coordinator (Fall 2024)
Utah State University
Duties include organizing the section’s participation in recruitment events; compiling the Spring 2025 course offering; managing expenses related to course fees; and monitoring the creation and use of the Portuguese Cultural Hub at the Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center.
Graduate Assistant (Spring 2023)
Indiana University Bloomington
Assistant to the Graduate Office, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, in administrative duties, graduate student recruitment efforts, and graduate student academic life and wellness.
Graduate Assistant (Fall 2022)
Indiana University Bloomington
Assistant to Professor Jonathan Risner, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, in administrative duties, graduate student recruitment efforts, and graduate student academic life and wellness.
Graduate Assistant (Spring 2022)
Indiana University Bloomington
Assistant to Professor Laura Gurzynski-Weiss, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, in the revitalization of the Department’s undergraduate course list and descriptions, social media management, and implementation of a public relations campaign.
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