Catherine Nock teaches Spanish and is the Assistant Spanish Language Coordinator at Syracuse University. Her interests include curriculum development, teacher training, communicative classroom design and the use of technology in language learning. She has taught SPA 101,102, 201, 202, as well as SPA 301 (Approaches to Reading Texts) and SPA 200 (Spanish Immersion). Two of her teaching goals are to design activities to increase oral proficiency in the interactive classroom, and to encourage cultural literacy through film, music and texts. Her areas of interest include literature, second language acquisition, Spanish and Latin American cinema, translation, and creating opportunities for students to use Spanish in real-world contexts.

• Assistant Teaching Professor of Spanish Language, Literature and Culture, 2015-2023
• Instructor of Spanish 1995-2014, 2023 – present
• French Language Coordinator 2014-2015, 2017-2018
• Assistant Spanish Language Coordinator 1998-2023

• “Improv Practices: A Tool to Improve Students’ Communicative Competence”. Invited to present at ACTFL Convention (American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages) with M. Eikel-Pohen, M. Mello, & M. Koerner; Chicago, Nov. 2023
• Nock, C. & Eikel-Pohen, M. (2023) “Improvisation activities in online language courses”. Scenario: A Journal of Performative Teaching, Learning, Research. Vol.17, Issue 1 (August 2023)
• LLL Innovative Teaching Initiative Award: “Using Performance-based Methods to Reinforce Oral Skills: A Holistic Methodology Based on Neuroscientific Research”. April 2020. Co-wrote proposal.
• Humanities Corridor funding received – co-wrote proposal with colleagues from Hobart and William Smith College and University of Buffalo for a two-day event: “Voces Teatrales: an evening with Josefina Baez”. April 2019
• Gerlinde Ulm Sanford Award for loyalty, dedication and contribution to the Department, 2016, LLL, Syracuse University
• Language and Spirit Award, for cross-disciplinary work in the Department, 2015, Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, Syracuse University
• Office of Disabilities Services Certificate of Faculty Recognition, 2015, Syracuse University
• Co-wrote successful grant application for the SU Innovation Fund; designed and taught a new course: SPA 200 Spanish Language Immersion (2013 - 2016)
• Meredith Excellence in Teaching Award, 2012, Syracuse University
• Member of Modern Language Association, American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages, and Language Educators of Central New York