Gregory Hines: A Journey of Language, Literature, and Culture

Meet one of our most passionate educators! From his hometown in Santa Barbara to Buenos Aires, with immense experience, endless curiosity, and an example of multiculturalism.

“It would seem that teaching actually chose me!” Gregory Hines shared during a recent interview. From joining Lincoln as a teacher in 2004 to becoming the Elementary School National Program Coordinator, his path has been quite a journey, one interconnected with 27 years in Argentina. His bond to the country’s language and literature, along with Argentine friends made in the U.S., paved his way to a life here at Lincoln.

With studies spanning Spanish, French, linguistics, language acquisition, literacy, technology, and instructional coaching across California and Argentina, it’s safe to say Gregory has always been deeply passionate about languages and expression. Outside of formal academia, he has even studied acting and Cine Argentino!

His path to Lincoln officially began during a course with Jane E. Pollock, author of Classroom Instruction That Works. Recognizing his background, she asked if he had considered Lincoln, seeing him as a natural fit. That, combined with glowing recommendations from others, sealed the deal.

Yet in many ways, all paths had long been leading to Argentina. As part of his university degree in Language Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz, Gregory studied literature under Argentine professor Marta Morello-Frosch, diving deep into world-renowned authors like Borges and Cortázar.

“I really enjoyed los cuentos fantásticos, so I used a story by Julio Cortázar as an example of literatura fantástica,” he remembered. His thesis featured an analysis of the genre, an English translation, and a detailed reflection on the translation process. “Cortázar was definitely a key entry point into my love for Argentine literature,” Gregory added.

A five-year stay in the 1990s to explore the country and improve his Spanish was only the beginning. During that time, Gregory worked as an English teacher and as an English program coordinator.  His career journey also included working as a bilingual teacher in Buena Vista Dual Language Immersion School, in California. After three years, in 2001 he moved to Colombia to teach at Colegio Columbus School. 

Interestingly, Gregory’s first teaching experience occurred in high school, where he chose to serve as an elective aide in a Special Education classroom. His diverse background also includes serving as an administrative assistant in his hometown mayor's office, in Santa Barbara, California. “I would learn new computer programs and teach them to the mayor and council members,” he recalled.

Later at university, he managed a computer lab, teaching software to students and faculty. During this period, Gregory discovered his interest in language acquisition, volunteering in adult ESL classes for migrant workers and working as a 5th-grade aide to help newcomer students maintain their Spanish literacy skills while learning math.

Years later, while managing an English program and teaching English as a foreign language, he completed a certificate program in Business French. “I thought I would apply for an International MBA,” he confessed. “In the end, I realized my true passion was working with languages and teaching, so I chose to keep pursuing education.”

In 2004, when he joined Lincoln as an elementary school teacher, the school’s multicultural environment was evident from the start. “I loved the warm community and the spectacular views from the classroom,” he shared as his first impression. Somehow, it all seems meant to be. “The diverse nature of our international families, the dedication to learning about Argentine culture, and the commitment to maintaining two languages of instruction make Lincoln uniquely attractive,” he concluded.