Misha Heglar: The Classroom That Taught Me More Than Spanish

Written by Abbey Wilson
Photos by Maddie McMurry

The first time I stepped into Misha Heglar’s classroom, I instantly noticed it was unlike the others. It was the first day of my sophomore year, and Mrs. Heglar’s Spanish II Honors was my fourth block. Instead of the harsh, headache-inducing lights I was used to, the room was softly lit by lamps positioned around the room. This classroom didn’t feel empty. It felt complete. Every wall and shelf was filled and decorated with colorful pieces of art I’d never seen before. I’ve since learned that each piece carries its own story from its own country and cultural traditions. From the first impression, it was clear that Misha Heglar doesn’t just teach — she creates. She has made her classroom environment her own, and in doing so, she shares a piece of her heart with everyone who enters. 

Misha Heglar, who my peers and I know as Profe, grew up with a passion for learning that would guide her for the rest of her life. She is a devoted wife and a mother to her beautiful daughter, and she speaks of her family with a warmth that radiates through every word. 

Misha discovered early the power a single educator could have. “The initial falling in love with Spanish came from my high school teacher who instilled in me and saw a giftedness,” Misha explained. And she has carried that inspiration forward, touching the lives of over 1,000 students. In the same way her teacher inspired her, Profe has inspired me to fall in love with Spanish. She has helped me understand its importance, and through it, develop empathy for all people.

Misha Heglar found her interest in Spanish and international culture early in her life. She pursued these passions further at Graceland University in Iowa, where her studies in Spanish and International Studies opened the doors for her to travel and immerse herself in the cultures of Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Spain. Over the last two decades, Misha has worked in many different fields such as healthcare, finance, and international missions. Each experience confirmed her love for teaching.

 “One of my favorite things was the conversations where someone I was working with learned something new, and it positively changed their life,” she said.

Her degrees in Spanish and International Studies allowed her to begin teaching on a practitioner’s license. From there, she fell head over heels for teaching. Misha began her career at South Gibson High School, where she taught for eight years. During that time, she earned her master’s degree from Union University. When both her and her daughter’s needs called for a different educational environment, she prayed for a new opportunity. Shortly after, she received an email and came into contact with Principal Guthrie at Madison Academic Magnet High School. There, she found a school that valued both excellence in the classroom and the realities of home life — a balance that has allowed her to thrive as both a teacher and a parent.

In Misha’s classroom, students are treated with an assumption that often goes unspoken elsewhere: they matter. Misha hopes students leave her class knowing that they were put into this world for a reason. 

“I want them to know that they have a reason to be here on this earth,” Misha said. “They have value just for being human.”

During a stage of life when self-worth can feel fragile, the belief that every student has inherent worth remains a steady reminder in her classroom. Grades, behavior, and background do not determine value. Students are encouraged to recognize the same value in one another, especially toward those whose experiences differ from their own. She teaches students that being shaped by circumstances out of your control doesn’t mean you’re worth any less than the person next to you. She also prioritizes the importance of practicing real-world skills in the classroom, creating a safe space to make mistakes and to learn from them. This practice helps students to learn how to overcome obstacles and move past them. 

Misha Heglar doesn’t just teach Spanish. She builds an environment where every student has the chance to succeed. After carefully reviewing the Tennessee State Standards, Misha organically created her own curriculum, transforming lessons into experiences that engage students in culture, communication, and real-life practice. Her classroom avoids traditional tests and lectures and instead is split into units that showcase different types of interactions and cultures. One week, students may roleplay a doctor and patient scenario in Spanish, and the next they may learn a country’s national dance like the bachata or salsa. Seating is carefully arranged to pair students of different abilities, encouraging collaboration and peer support. Lessons are tailored to reach every learning style — visual, auditory, and kinesthetic —  and each unit incorporates exams that require students to showcase all forms of communication. 

Beyond grammar, Misha emphasizes teaching her students the three cultural Ps: products, practices, and perspectives, which help them understand the culture behind the language. Understanding the three Ps is important because they make students think critically about cultural differences. Misha also offers tutoring two days a week, both from herself and from advanced Spanish students who help their peers. 

Her teaching is especially meaningful because it reflects her personal experiences, which makes learning personal, engaging, and memorable. It allows Misha to show her passion through her teaching. Every choice she makes in her classroom reflects her unwavering commitment to seeing each student grow, succeed, and feel valued. Once a student advances to her Spanish III Honors class, they are given the option to take the CLEP exam at the end of the course. The CLEP exam gives students the opportunity to display their knowledge and earn college credit by taking a 90-minute exam. Misha also sponsors Los Mesteños, the school’s chapter of the internationally recognized society La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica. In this club, students have the opportunity to receive state recognition in the form of the Tennessee State Seal of Biliteracy. Additionally, the club offers students service opportunities and a cord to wear for graduation.

“My most proud moments are when I see a kid go, ‘Profe, I totally heard people speaking Spanish, and I understood it. I actually understood what they were saying.’ So when the rubber hits the road and it's in their life, they go, ‘Hey, that's actually a really cool skill and I'm learning the real stuff,’” Misha said.

Moments like these are why Misha Heglar is such an extraordinary teacher. She makes learning Spanish fun and meaningful, but she also teaches her students to believe in themselves. Her passion, care, and encouragement have inspired students to work harder, be curious, and see the value in their abilities. She has changed my outlook on life, and for that I’m forever thankful.