Larry Torres is an American writer and educator who was an

associate professor Associate professor is an academic title with two principal meanings: in the North American system and that of the ''Commonwealth system''. Overview In the ''North American system'', used in the United States and many other countries, it is a ...

of foreign languages at the University of New Mexico in Taos, New Mexico. Mr. Torres is the second of eight children born to parents who, themselves, never completed high school. He has taught Russian,

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

, Spanish, English, bilingual education and ancient languages. In 2003, he was the head of the university's Fine Arts and Culture Department. He is also a founding member of the Governor's School for International Studies in Tennessee. Torres is the author of ''Six Nuevomexicano Folk Dramas for Advent Season'' and has contributed to a number of other works. He is regularly recognized for his expertise in the culture and folklore of northern New Mexico. Torres retired in 2019 to work on three books and see the world.

Awards and recognitions

Torres has received a number of awards for his work in the field of education. He was a recipient of the Walt Disney Corporation's Outstanding National Foreign Language Teacher of the Year Award in 1992. In 1993, he received the

National Educator Award The Milken Educator Awards is an educator recognition program in the United States that provides unrestricted grants of $25,000 cash to teachers deemed successful, in surprise ceremonies. Created in 1985 by education reformer and philanthropist Lo ...

. He was also a recipient of the Golden Apple Award for which he received a scholarship and

sabbatical A sabbatical (from the Hebrew: (i.e., Sabbath); in Latin ; Greek: ) is a rest or break from work. The concept of the sabbatical is based on the Biblical practice of ''shmita'' (sabbatical year), which is related to agriculture. According to ...

to continue his research. Torres has been named Outstanding New Mexican of the Year twice. Torres was given the Camino Real Award as one of 15 Outstanding New Mexicans for 1996. In 1998, his radio talk show ''Cafecito y Cultura'' won first place for best public service from the Associated Press and in 1999 his radio show ''Paso a Paso'' won a first place for best documentary on the airwaves, also by the Associated Press of New Mexico. In 2003, Torres received a grant through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with New Mexico State University in the development of material for the teaching of first generation Hispanic students at the university level. Its focus is on cultural sensitivity training and enhancement.

Public appearances

In 2005, he appeared on the television show ''

Good Morning America ''Good Morning America'' (often abbreviated as ''GMA'') is an American morning television program that is broadcast on ABC. It debuted on November 3, 1975, and first expanded to weekends with the debut of a Sunday edition on January 3, 1993. Th ...

'' and in 2008 on NBC's '' The Today Show'' to discuss the Taos Hum. He has also appeared on '' The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' and the national radio show ''America Tonight''.

Works

Books

* * * * * *

Podcasts

Articles

* "Habla Usted Spamglish?" weekly column in ''The Taos News''. * "Growing up Spanglish" weekly column in ''The Santa Fe New Mexican''. * Four entries in the ''Hispanic American Religious Culture''. * Multiple entries in the Sacred Places of Taos.

References

Citations

Works cited