Hello! Hola! Nyob Zoo! As Salam Alaykom! Gaw La Gay! Buna ziua!

   

My name is Eugenia (Gina) Popa and I am an ESL teacher at Harding Senior High School. My career as an educator spans four decades, the last 26 years in Saint Paul, on the East Side, working with both elementary and secondary students. I started teaching at Harding High School in 2015. This year I am teaching ELD (English Language Development) English 11, ELD Human Geography, and co-teaching Human Geography and World Music.

I also taught in Romania, my native country, in the UK, and in Poland. I have a BA in Romanian and English Language and Literature from the University of Bucharest, Romania, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Cloud State University, and a Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education from Hamline University. I have worked in both public and private schools, and have taught students of all ages, from Pre-K to adult learners.

I am very proud of my Romanian roots and I am very active in the Romanian-American community in the Twin Cities. I am the founder and current president of the HORA (Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in MN) organization and the RACC (Romanian American Cultural Center in MN). I volunteer much of my free time to activities that promote and celebrate my culture. 

I love to spend time with my family and friends. I am a proud grandma of a healthy and active baby boy.

I have a strong passion for languages, cultures, and traveling and I absolutely LOVE my wonderful EL students!

*I was selected as a finalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2019 and 2021.