Picture of a man (Juan Freire) in a suite and tie smiling at the camera.

Where are you from? 

Madrid, Spain

What and where have you studied?

 

Universidad de Alcalá (BA); Universidad Complutense de Madrid (MEd); University of Utah (PhD)

 

Where have you previously worked?

 

Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University; Teacher at Dual Immersion Academy (Salt Lake City); Teacher in schools in Spain

 

What is your current job title? Please describe what you do in that position.

 

Associate Professor in Teacher Education - I teach TELL 450 and EL ED 200. My research focuses on equity in dual language bilingual education (aka DLI) in the areas of multicultural/bilingual teacher research and the analysis of bilingual education policy, planning, and programming.

 

Why did you choose to work at BYU?

I think the Lord drove me here, it wasn't planned! LOL

 

What is your favorite thing about the McKay School?

The greater emphasis on the spiritually strengthening BYU aim

 

Growing up, what teacher inspired you the most? How?

My oboe teacher in Spain when I was a teenager. He believed in me and always went the extra mile to support me and help me grow.

 

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

 

My family, I have a wonderful wife and three lovely daughters.

 

What do you regret not starting or doing when you were younger?

 

Learning how to play soccer, I might be the only Spaniard who isn't good at it! LOL.

 

What was the first career you dreamed of having as a kid?

 

Being a bullfighter along my brother, ¡olé!

 

Best Halloween costume you have had?

 

Dracula

 

What stat for your life would you most like to see?

 

Time spent hanging out with friends and family.

 

What’s the most exciting thing you’ll do in 2025?

 

See my children's music and dance performances

 

What would you rate 10/10?

 

Tres leches cakes!! Yummy!

 

What are you most likely to become famous for?

 

Being the first one dancing La Macarena!

 

Do you collect anything?

 

Elongated coins from all the places we visit as a family

 

If your entire life was a movie, what would the title be?

 

Chaos and Harmony: The Balancing Act

 

If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

 

Fish soup made by my grandma

 

What is your go-to weeknight meal?

 

Homemade lasagna!

 

What weird food combinations do you really enjoy?

 

Melon with Spanish ham (serrano/ibérico ham)

 

Where could we find you on most Saturday mornings?

 

Cleaning my home, mowing, and/or fixing something.

 

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

 

The beach

 

Would you rather spend a night out on the town or stay home inside with a book?

 

Spend a night out on the town

 

Your house is on fire, you have 3 minutes to grab 3 things. What are they?

 

My family, cell phones, and laptops

 

Who would you like to swap places with for a day?

 

Any humanitarian. Seeing the advocacy for the most vulnerable and understanding their daily efforts to make a difference would be humbling.

 

What is one thing you can’t live without? 

 

My phone!