Hopkins Spanish Teacher Marie Doval Retires

Doval was born as Maria del Mar in Malaga, Spain. She grew up there, and moved to the United States when she was eighteen years old to study at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. Gabriela Gerstenfeld, a Spanish teacher and Doval’s colleague in the Modern Language Department, said that she totally [envies] her English pronunciation because she didn't come as a child, and sounds [like] an English native speaker.”

Throughout her career, Doval has been very engaged in the school community. During her time at Hopkins, Doval wore “many hats,” Gerstenfeld. She noted that as a head advisor, “instead of rotating, she was assigned to ninth grade, because no one [else] could make every new family feel so comfortable in that adjustment period [going into high school].” Hopkins Spanish teacher Carl Atlee said that as a head advisor, “she was an amazing mentor to hundreds or perhaps even thousands of Hopkins students.” He added, “she has made a lasting impact on the lives of these Hopkins graduates, many of whom continue to remain in contact with her and share their memories of the great advice and love that she shared with them during these formative years of their lives.”

During her time at Hopkins, Doval shaped the Modern Language department with her bright personality and unique teaching style.  In the Modern Language Department, “she has been a supportive colleague to us all and has been a strong advocate for language study,” noted Atlee. Doval was “the pillar of everything– the way we teach, [our] approach, the books we read, [and] the scope and sequence,” Gerstenfeld said. “I cannot imagine the department without [and] I have a hard time imagining the department without her,” adding that Doval was her “mentor, best friend, support, and guru,” in addition to being her colleague. 

As a pioneer of language learning at Hopkins, Doval had a teaching style that aimed to engage students and encourage growth. In the classroom, Doval had a joyful and unique approach, and she “would bring positivity and kindness to class every day,” according to one of her former students, Madeline Blank ’28. Gerstenfeld said that “she incorporated games, activities, writing, and a lot of running activities, so the kids were always engaged participants, and they had fun.” Gerstenfeld also noted that “20 years ago, the teaching style and the lesson plans were so different than today. Vocabulary and PowerPoints” were the norm, she explained, but Doval aimed to expand upon traditions and include various activities. In addition to this, “she was so organized and had everything in a clear perspective,” Gerstenfeld said.

This teaching style contributed greatly to the success of Doval’s students. Blank said that “she would always make sure she taught material so that we would have a thorough understanding of it, and her positive attitude really reflected on our class and kept us engaged.” Another former student of Doval’s, Greta Lee ’28, reflected that “she takes language learning seriously and pushes us to step out of our comfort zones while also being flexible and having grace when we fall behind.” The two shared similar sentiments about the life lessons Doval shared with her students: “She showed us that it's possible to find happiness, even in unfortunate circumstances,” Blank said. Lee remarked that “she often told us to take opportunities that came our way because life is short, so we may as well make the best out of it.” She continued, ‘these lessons will truly stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Doval was loved by both students and teachers alike. As a colleague, Gerstenfeld admired “the nurturing way she treated her students.” She added that Doval “called them ‘my chiquitos,’ as if they were her own kids.” Gerstenfeld continued, saying that “she inspired her students to believe in their own ability to succeed.” According to Atlee, Doval was “an expert teacher of the Spanish language, one who knew how to reach every student in her classroom.” Doval stated that her “favorite part of my time at Hopkins has been [having] a connection with the students.” She added that “those personal connections that made the student feel safe and comfortable are the most important part of my teaching Spanish– once they were comfortable, then they would feel less scared to speak another language.”

After graduating from college, Doval taught at a boarding school. Looking for something different after some time, she decided to leave in order to work at a day school instead. According to her, she saw that “Hopkins had an opening, so I applied, and the rest is history. I really have not looked back.” Now, “[she] will miss coming to work every day.” Gerstenfeld said that Doval was her “mentor, best friend, support, and guru,” in addition to being her colleague. 

Atlee reflected, “I believe that Marie's legacy… will be the many students of hers with whom she has shared her love of Spanish and Hispanic culture over the decades.” Gerstenfeld thinks that Doval’s ability to see the student perspective will define her legacy, saying, “you see the magic, but you don't understand, really, the trick. The trick is in the way she listens to them, the way she answers, the way she sees their perspective.”