If you ask Aned Y. Muñiz Gracia a question, she could answer in six different languages — English, Spanish, Italian, French, German and Russian. Five of those she has taught as an adjunct college professor.

A native of Puerto Rico, Muñiz Gracia first taught when she was just 20 and a master’s degree student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Now 32, she has completed all but her doctoral dissertation at USD was named Outstanding Associate Faculty in 2006 at MiraCosta College.

“That was extra special,” she says about being chosen by her students. “I love motivating students.” It’s a fitting career for Muñiz Gracia, who grew up playing school, emulating her mother and other teaching relatives.

She is teaching at Grossmont and MiraCosta colleges this semester. She hopes for a full-time contract eventually to ease the stress of all that driving from her North Park home.