Sofia Ibero Martinez and Pablo Rebollar Vargas are proud citizens of 2026 World Cup Champion Spain, but they enjoyed a uniquely American experience during their first few days as elementary school teachers with the Manatee School District’s Dual Language Program.
They got to throw out the first pitches before a Marauders game at LECOM Park. They were among a contingent of 10 visiting teachers from Spain at the ol’ ballyard.
A third-grade dual language teacher at Prine, Sofia is from Pamplona, has taught for five years and is also fluent in Basque and French. Pablo, who’s from Seville, is a fifth-grade teacher at Daughtrey and has taught for three years.
They are among five visiting teachers in their first year with the program, including Marta
Gutiérrez, a native of Málaga, who’s at Palmetto, as well as Margarita Miro (Málaga) and María José Roldán (Cordoba) at Daughtrey.
The five teachers in the program’s second year are Lucía Nogales (Madrid) and Martín Rodríguez (Málaga) at Prine; Carla Meleiro (Vigo) at Daughtrey; as well as María Teresa Ruipérez (Valencia) and Gonzalo Villadangos (Madrid) at Palmetto.
All are here on three-year work visas.
· Uh, oh! David Branson is one year shy of the Big 6-0!
· And Mo Haddon is 39. Again.
· Want to volunteer for a wonderful cause to help our school children?
Books For Kids Promoting Literacy Program needs more help for its Kindergarten and Monthly Programs serving students at 11 Manatee School District schools.
Now in its 12th year and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, Books for Kids offers free weekly and monthly literacy programs designed to improve reading comprehension, instill a love of reading and also distributes thousands of books to students at underserved schools.
Interested? Call 845-304-5793. Or email Ted Lindenberg: stlind88@icloud.com; or Susan Travilla: stravilla@msn.com; or Joanne Vernon: joannevernon12@gmail.com.
· Parrish catcher Cassidy Ott is a University of Maine commit.
· A bow to RN Anne Lachmann, Manatee Memorial Hospital’s newest DAISY Award recipient for her compassion, advocacy and support for a patient with dementia and his family during a very challenging time.
· Faust DeLazzer is 74.
· Got a funny phone call from Jim Smyth, a centenarian in Englewood.
Back in the late 1940s he worked at the old Manatee River Hotel – now the Hampton Inn and Suites – where he met and married his wife, Arline, in ‘48.
Anyway, the “Pink Palace” housed the Boston Braves during spring training and Smyth, a Massachusetts native, was a big fan.
So when legendary lefty pitcher Warren Spahn needed a crib for his and wife LoRene’s infant son Greg, Smyth was happy to accommodate him.
“Guests usually gave you a tip,” he recalled with a laugh. “But Spahn stiffed me.”
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN'S PEOPLE: Teachers from Spain add new perspective in Manatee schools
