Note: This blog post accompanies Episode 710 of The Latina Mom Legacy, where host Janny Perez sits down with Jasmine San Andrés, a first-generation Latina, high school Spanish teacher, and creator of Little Spanish Teacher. Here, you’ll discover key moments and candid wisdom, including practical tips, honest struggles, and creative tools for raising bilingual kids and building a legacy. ¡Disfruta!
Show Promos You Don't Want to Miss:
ENROLL IN MY FREE LIVE BILINGUAL PARENTING WORKSHOP
Ever wondered if Spanish teachers struggle to keep Spanish alive at home? In this open-hearted episode, you’ll hear what it’s really like to balance language, heritage, guilt, and expectations, straight from the source. Join Janny and Jasmine for an uplifting and relatable conversation full of grace, mindset shifts, and actionable strategies that will help you feel less alone and more empowered in your bilingual parenting journey.
Timestamps & What You’ll Discover
0:00 – Why Raising Bilingual Kids Is Complicated And What No One Tells You Janny shares about the real emotional side: guilt, doubt, and worry. Plus, discover her free live workshop for bilingual parents and the opportunity to snag a family language plan PDF and more.
1:47 – Meet Jasmine: Daughter of Guatemalan & Salvadoran Parents, Military Wife, Teacher with a Mission Jasmine introduces her multicultural family and career journey, and how her love of Spanish led her to teach high school students online and in person.
5:17 – The Truth: Even Spanish Teachers Face Pushback at Home Jasmine opens up about how her own daughter responds in English, juggling guilt and persistence, and how she’s finding small wins along the way.
6:58 – The Pressure to Be Perfect—Why It’s Hard for Bilingual Parents (and Teachers) Jasmine talks about the internal and external pressures she feels, and Janny offers actionable advice to create a need for Spanish outside the home, like using Preply for affordable tutors.
10:37 – Military Family Life: Moving, Rebuilding, & Seeking Community Jasmine shares how frequent moves and living away from Spanish-speaking communities impact her family’s bilingual journey—and how she’s found creative ways to connect.
12:57 – Real Struggles in High School Classrooms: It’s Communication, Not Perfection Discover what Jasmine sees among her 9th–12th grade students, why speaking is their biggest challenge, and how she encourages authenticity over perfection.
15:31 – Making Spanish Fun: Jasmine’s Best Tips for Teachers From building real relationships to creative classroom tools, Jasmine shares ways teachers can help kids relax, enjoy, and thrive in Spanish (including giving grace and not being a grammar gatekeeper!).
22:03 – Little Spanish Teacher: How Jasmine Supports Teachers & Families Learn the origin story of Little Spanish Teacher and how her resources help teachers save time, stay creative, and create joyful learning experiences.
25:01 – Fast Round: Food, Family, Vicks, and Legacy Hear Jasmine’s answers to tradition questions about mom struggles, advice, favorite Latino dishes, remedies, and the legacy she wants to leave: pride, culture, and gratitude.
28:53 – Final Thoughts: You’re Not Behind—You’re Building a Legacy Janny wraps up with a reminder to embrace the journey, be the manager, and keep creating opportunities for Spanish, grace, and growth.
About Jasmine San Andrés
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NYC-born daughter of Guatemalan and Salvadoran parents, married to an Ecuadorian-Colombian.
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Master’s in Education and high school Spanish teacher.
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Teaches Spanish online through a virtual academy.
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Former nonprofit professional with global travel experience.
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Passionate about sharing her love for Spanish and Latin culture
Viral Quotes From This Episode
Janny Perez
“This isn’t just about language. It’s about giving your child a gift that lasts a lifetime.”
“If they don’t want to speak to you, that’s okay. Don’t force it. But continue to speak the language and give them other opportunities to have that need to use it.”
Jasmine San Andres
“It’s about communication, not perfection. I would rather you make errors when you’re speaking, but I know that you’re trying.”
“I want my legacy to be for my daughter to appreciate her culture—all the time... so she can be a proud Latina.”
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast
Subscribe To Little Spanish Teacher and Get Your First Freebie
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Preply – Affordable Spanish tutors from around the world ([affiliate link in show notes])
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Little Spanish Teacher – Jasmine’s site for classroom and bilingual parenting printables: littlespanishteacher.com
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Teachers Pay Teachers – Jasmine’s resources for Spanish teachers
How You Can Support & Engage
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Apply to Be a Guest – Share your bilingual parenting story!
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Leave a Review – Apple Podcast or Spotify. Your feedback helps more families discover the show.
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Join the Newsletter – La Lista at Milegasi.com. Get exclusive tips, printables, and updates!
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Interested in Sponsoring the Show? Reach an engaged bilingual parenting community. Contact us → Sponsorship info
Connect on Social Media
Instagram: @milegasi
Threads: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy
Pinterest: @milegasi
Final Thoughts
Grace, community, and creativity matter more than perfection. Whether you’re a Spanish teacher, a bilingual parent, or both, just keep creating opportunities for your kids to use their language and embrace the journey. Celebrate small wins, honor your story, and remember...
Mami sí se puede.
For more bilingual parenting resources, visit milegasi.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and share! ¡Hasta la próxima!
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