Patti J. Marinelli has had a distinguished career teaching Spanish at the University of South Carolina. The recipient of many university awards, she also was named Teacher of the Year by the South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers' Association in 2008. She has extensive experience coordinating the introductory Spanish program and mentoring graduate teaching assistants at the university. Marinelli has authored two other Spanish textbooks, including the best-selling high beginner textbook Puentes. Both her teaching and writing are informed by her experiences as a certified ACTFL OPI tester and her expertise in standards-based instruction.