My name is Neusa Monteiro. I’m from the island of Fogo in Cape Verde. I studied at the Superior School of Education in Setubal- Portugal. I graduated in Artistic Promotion and Heritage. I’m living in New Bedford with my two kids. It’s been a great experience working with the little ones in DLA.

My name is Phebe Ditata and this is my first year teaching at Discovery Language Academy. I have worked in the education field for 38 years as a Conversational Portuguese teacher to adults at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School and as an ELL teacher at elementary and high school levels. I was born in Sao Miguel, Azores. Came to the United States in 1966 attended the Dartmouth school system. Graduated from The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 1980 with a Bachelor’s degree in Portuguese.

My name is Sílvia Belo Oliveira. I’m from Matosinhos, Portugal and have lived in New Bedford since 2007. I have a dual major licenciatura from Universidade de Coimbra in Portuguese and English Studies, as well as a post-graduate specialization in Teaching Portuguese as a Foreign Language from Universidade do Porto. Currently I am enrolled in a master’s program in Teaching English through Universidade Aberta in Lisbon.

For nearly two decades, I have taught both Portuguese and English in several educational contexts, from kindergarten through university. Also, I have had the honor to deliver professional development to educators across the state of Massachusetts.

Claudia Arsenio joined Discovery Language Academy in 2020. Ms. Arsenio currently teaches the beginner English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class offered at the school Monday and Wednesday evenings, 5:30 to 7:30. Claudia was born in Bombarral, Portugal and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 5 years old. She discovered her love for the language arts as a Flight Attendant for American Trans Air, and aims to encourage confidence and independence through education. Her family’s journey through immigration provides insight to the challenges and needs of her students. Ms. Arsenio is a Dartmouth resident, and operates a small farm in town. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling whenever possible and blacksmithing with her two sons. Professora Claudia also participated in the Academy’s “Summer Nights” Camp, leading the “Butterflies” this past summer, and works as an aid to the children’s Portuguese class when needed.

Carla Rocha-Gil was born in Figueira Da Foz, Portugal and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 7 years old. She loves her Portuguese Culture and makes a point to go back to her native country every opportunity she gets. Professora Carla lives in New Bedford with her husband Pedro and her two sons, Nathan who is 23 and Anderson who is 16. In her free time, she enjoys being creative with art projects, traveling with family and friends, and learning new languages. She also has a passion for traditional Portuguese Folklore and she enjoys teaching our little ones how to dance here at DLA. It brings joy to her heart to see the children fall in love with our Portuguese Culture by not only learning how to dance, but also learning the background to each song.

My name is Rosa Almeida. I was born in Cabo Verde. I have been teaching Portuguese for three years at the Discovery Language Academy. Currently I am teaching ESL ( English as a Second Language) at Normandin Middle School in New Bedford.

Education: Bachelor of Arts

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Minor in Portuguese and French

Currently enrolled in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Master’s Program through Bridgewater State University.

Married
Born in São Miguel, Açores
Elementary school teacher since 2005
Kids: 1

Favorite team: Benfica

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite food: Bacalhau

Favorite Hobby: Cooking

Favorite Movie: “La vie est belle”

Maria Dos Santos was born in the island of São Vicente, Cabo Verde and migrated to the United States in 2002. She is passionate about education as she has been teaching for 30 years. She has taught in the United States as well as in the Cabo Verde Islands. She attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, MA and a License in Teaching from the Cabo Verde Islands. Ms. Dos Santos is a teacher aide at the New Bedford Public Schools and a Portuguese teacher at the Discovery Language Academy. She is the Programs Coordinator at Our Children, Our Future, Inc., which is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to assist underprivileged children in the Cabo Verde Islands.

O meu nome é Rosa Ferreira e sou professora na DLA.
Sou portuguesa e vim para os Estados Unidos em 1991.
Fiz o ensino secundario no Colegio da Bonanca em Vila Nova de Gaia e o ensino
superior na Universidade de Aveiro.
Gosto de ler,pesquisar temas do meu interesse,conviver e conhecer outros paises e
respetivas culturas.

Professor Fernando da Silva is a Southcoast resident who graduated from the University of Massachusetts. He is also a medical translator by profession. He is a member of the Fall River Prince Henry Society Chapter, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus Dartmouth. Professor Fernando resides in Dartmouth with his wife, their son and daughter.

Shantel Dasilva, Ph.D and I am an SEI Social Studies teacher at New Bedford High School. I am first generation and was raised in a Portuguese-speaking home. I speak Portuguese and Spanish. I recently received my doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. My research has been focused on educational policies that impact undocumented English Learners in Massachusetts and ways to empower these students across the state. My teaching and learning is project based and provides opportunities for students to be creative and self-advocates.