Luis Daniel Sánchez Ravelo, Master in Community Cultural Development and assistant professor at the University of Las Tunas, confesses that his passion for Spanish was born in his elementary school years, as he found his first role models in his teachers. “Thanks to those early guides, I became interested in pedagogy. From then on, I knew my path lay in teaching,” he affirms.

Although his family had no background in teaching, Luis Daniel followed his vocation, passing the university entrance exams in mathematics, history, and, of course, Spanish. “I always gravitated towards Spanish and Literature. Some teachers told me I had other skills, that I could choose different paths, but for me, teaching was the only thing that fulfilled me,” he states enthusiastically.

In his university experience, the transition from student to teacher presented a particular challenge. “At first, it was challenging to teach classmates I only saw in the hallways, even during shared moments of my studies. Little by little, I found my footing and gained confidence,” he recalls. Today, his students recognize and value him not only for his academic preparation but also for the warmth and empathy he conveys.

For Luis Daniel, teaching goes beyond the content of the class. “The training of a professional cannot be limited to knowledge. It’s also about cultivating values, about helping students become better people. That’s where the true work of a teacher is reflected,” he says. His approach encompasses phonetics and phonology, grammar, the history of language, lexicology and semantics, as well as discourse analysis and scientific writing. He also teaches postgraduate courses and actively participates in the critical analysis and research section of the Hermanos Saíz Association.

Despite his youth, Luis Daniel maintains a passion for growth and contributing to education. Family and the academic community occupy an essential place in his life, as he continues to inspire new generations. “For me, the greatest reward is seeing that my students recognize themselves in me, that they find a role model and a reference point in their education,” he concludes.