¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Word Traveler.

My name is Julie Dueweke, and language has always been one of my great loves.

I actually began learning French in First Grade. It felt like we were learning some cool, secret code! Naturally, I wanted to share that secret code with my parents - that’s probably when my teaching instincts first took root. Each night I would try to repeat the day’s lesson for my mom as she prepared dinner; she became quite familiar with numbers and greetings that year! My mom was a skilled and charismatic educator (now retired) but her “languages” were Special Education and Social Studies. Throughout my school years I volunteered frequently in her classroom. Working one-on-one with her students taught me how fostering connections can improve individual learning and confidence.

My first real Spanish class wasn’t until my first year of high school. Thanks in no small part to having a phenomenal Spanish teacher (thank you, Mrs. Vogel!) I looked forward to Spanish every day. Eager to make meaningful connections and apply what I was learning, I started volunteering as an aid for English-Language Learners in the same school where my mom was teaching. I took Spanish all four years in high school… which is where I happened to meet the incredible man who would become my best friend, travel buddy, and husband! He and I both went on to study at Western Michigan University. Thanks to phenomenal professors like Dr. Bob Felkel, Dr. Irma López, Dr. Patricia Montilla, and Dr. Robert Vann, the Spanish Department became a second home for us. Near the end of our sophomore year, we were accepted into the study-abroad program in Burgos, Spain. That following August was the beginning of a whirlwind semester abroad. As cliché as it sounds, that one semester changed everything. It was the catalyst that solidified my passion for Spanish, ensuring that it would be a permanent fixture in my life. I lived with a Spanish host family while taking classes at the Universidad de Burgos. Our coursework included immersive instruction in Spanish conversation and composition, geography, history, art history, cooking, cinema, theatre, and dance. I fell in love with the Spanish way of life, rich history, and diverse peoples. At the risk of sounding sappy, I absolutely left a piece of my heart in that country, and I try to visit as often as I can. To this day, I’m still in contact with my “host mom” and we share photos of our kids and updates on our lives. One of the most beautiful moments came in 2019… My husband and I brought our child (then 9 years old) to visit Spain for the first time, where he actually got to meet my host mom in Burgos! This unique connection and “homecoming” travel experience was all possible because of learning another language.

Fast-forward to the present: I’m a Spanish-language tutor and substitute teacher! Since 2010 I have supported learners as a substitute teacher in 9 school districts in West Michigan. Some of my most enriching experiences as a substitute include working with the Special Education program in Grandville Public Schools, in the Spanish-Immersion program at Forest Hills Ada Vista, and twice serving as a long-term Spanish substitute at Godfrey-Lee High School. These long-term subbing contracts included teaching 1st- and 2nd-year Beginner Spanish, Spanish for Native Speakers, AP Spanish, and a Psychology elective for which I helped design and teach lessons. Substitute teaching reinforced the power of connecting to diverse learners in unique ways. It inspired me to create my own business, and in 2020 “Word Traveler L.L.C.” was born.

I believe that in order to help someone identify and reach their goals, you first have to meet them where they are in that moment. This motivates me to develop personalized, relevant, and user-friendly learning content. I want my clients to be inspired with the value-added experience of a custom-tailored approach as well as individualized support between lessons.

Learners of all levels and abilities are welcome at Word Traveler! I myself am neurodivergent (ADHD) and I understand what it feels like to excel with some subjects while struggling with others. I strive to meet the diverse needs of my clients, paying close attention to individual styles and paces of learning while promoting meaningful connections through areas of personal interest. My goal is to cultivate a safe, collaborative, and engaging learning environment where a growth mindset is modeled and encouraged. I want to make the Spanish language accessible and useful for you!

I’m proud to present myself to clients as an experienced instructor and well-rounded individual. My educational studies include a Minor in Psychology, as well as coursework in Secondary Education, Speech-Language Pathology, Spanish Linguistics, Spanish and English Literature, and Instrumental Music Performance. I have been privileged to travel much of the USA, Mexico, and Europe, as well as Turkey and Egypt. I’ve loved being a competitive swimmer, playing water polo, and learning how to sail. I’ve been a certified SCUBA diver since the age of 12. More recently, I earned my Technician license in Amateur Radio (KE8UXK). In my child’s Cub Scout Pack, I served for 5 years as a Den Leader and 4 years as Fundraising Chair. Now at the Troop level, I have the honor of volunteering as a Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor. I enjoy crafting when I have the time. I’m an avid rockhound (ask me about Lake Superior Agates!) And I never stop thinking about what my next adventure might be… ❤️