October 14, 2022
Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Dr. Laura Levi Altstaedter
Name: Laura Levi Altstaedter
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Degree(s): Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Second Language
Education, Virginia Tech
MA in History, Latin American Studies, Virginia Tech
Future Professoriate Graduate Certificate, Virginia Tech
MA in Curriculum and Instruction, Wake Forest
University
BA in English Language and Translation, University of
Buenos Aires
Why did you choose to be an educator/professor? I come from a family of educators, including my mom, my dad, my sister and my husband, who is also a professor here at ECU. But even if I hadn’t had that inspiration from my family, I would have chosen to be an educator, as it is an extremely fulfilling profession. I have always strived to inspire others to learn foreign languages and about foreign cultures. As a Spanish professor and foreign language teacher educator here at ECU I am in a unique position because not only do I get to teach the language and culture myself, but I also train future foreign language teachers, who will go on to inspire their own students to become multilingual and multicultural!
What do you love about ECU? The collegiality and the opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration! I have been very fortunate to work on projects with colleagues in my home department, Foreign Languages and Literatures (THCAS), as well as with colleagues at ECU’s Rural Education Institute and in the College of Education.