Marimar Patrón Vázquez

Cultural Innovator, Educator, and Habla Co-Founder


Marimar Patrón Vázquez is the co-founder and co-director of Habla: The Center for Language and Culture in Merida, Mexico. She was born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico where her family has lived for generations. She studied literature at Universidad de las Américas in Puebla, Mexico and then went on to a graduate degree in Hispanic Studies at Brown University in the United States. At Brown, she received the prestigious Presidential Teaching Award for her teaching of Spanish language classes to university students. Her work is focused on how reading, literature and storytelling are an essential part of the daily life of communities. Marimar believes that stories are the center of language teaching and learning. She has presented talks and workshops on culture, language, and literacy globally. Perhaps the greatest lessons she’s learned about teaching are from her children, Luis and Sandra, who are growing up bilingual.