As Florida International University (FIU) celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM), the Tuesday Times Roundtable (TTR) series showcased the power of global learning to bridge languages, cultures, and lived experiences. Honoring HHM through two bilingual Spanish and English sessions—made possible with the translation support of the Ministry of Education of Spain—participants reflected on themes of community, resilience, and creative expression while discovering how education connects people across borders.
Both sessions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education, emphasizing the transformative potential of inclusive, culturally responsive learning.
On September 30, 2025, TTR presented “Spain: The Sense of Community.” The session was moderated by Elsa Hoyo Jornet, Director of the Spanish Resource Center in Miami, Ministry of Education of Spain, and Rafael Serrano, Visiting Teacher in Downtown Doral.
The discussion explored Spain’s enduring sense of solidarity and belonging. Rafael shared his moving story of surviving the devastating floods in Valencia earlier this year, recalling how neighbors, strangers, and entire communities came together in acts of courage and compassion. His account illustrated the resilience that defines Spain’s social fabric, reminding participants that shared hardship often brings out the best of humanity.
Participants also heard testimonials from educators who participated in Spain’s summer teaching programs and the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) initiative.
On October 14, 2025, TTR presented “Education Through Expression: Music, Movement, and the Stories They Carry.” This vibrant session was moderated by Jhonery Mendoza-Farjun, Ph.D. candidate in Teaching & Learning and organizer of the TTR flagship discussion series for the Office of Global Learning Initiatives.
Two artists who embody the richness of Hispanic culture joined forces to demonstrate how art serves as a form of global learning by teaching empathy, connecting histories, and helping students find their voice through creative expression.
Maestro Jhonny Mendoza, Venezuelan violinist, conductor, and director of Academia del Violin, guided the audience on a musical journey from the Baroque era to Neoromanticism. Through works ranging from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Mozart’s expressive compositions, he illustrated how evolving musical forms reflect shifts in human emotion and the interconnected history of composers. His performance brought these transitions to life, blending artistry and pedagogy in an engaging way.
Ani Mahia, Cuban flamenco dancer, teacher, and director of the Ani Mahia Dance Studio, filled the room with rhythm and emotion, transforming each movement into a lesson in culture, storytelling, and heritage. Dressed in a vibrant traditional flamenco gown, she collaborated with Maestro Jhonny in an interactive performance that included Strauss’s famous waltz, Danube Azul. Audience members were guided by both artists, clapping and tapping their feet to keep tempo alongside the performers, transforming the roundtable into a living classroom pulsing with energy and connection.
Together, these bilingual sessions embodied the essence of Global Learning at FIU where education transcends geography, celebrates culture, and builds community through shared experience. Whether through stories of resilience in Valencia or the rhythms of flamenco and violin, participants were reminded that learning is most powerful when it is lived, felt, and shared across cultures.