A tribute to an inspiring educator and advocate for multilingual learning.
Angélica Zamora Ríos was a Mexican-Canadian linguist, primary teacher, and beloved instructor in the Spanish Language program at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS). She believed deeply in the promise of multilingual education and lifelong learning, both of which she exemplified her entire life.
Now, her family and friends want to support and encourage learners with a similar zest for knowledge through the Angelica Zamora Ríos Award in Spanish Language Studies, the first of its kind at SCS.
Described by husband Michael Lavergne as a dedicated friend, mother and daughter, who lived for her family, Zamora Ríos was the second oldest of four siblings, and a role model to her brothers.
“She was a blessing to all who knew her and were fortunate enough to call her a friend. Over our thirty years together we lived and worked across South America, North America, and Asia, returning home to Canada in late 2010,” Lavergne says.
It was during their time in Hong Kong, once their sons had both entered formal schooling, that she discovered her passion for teaching. She spent four years as a languages teacher in the public school system and at Hong Kong University Continuing Studies before the family relocated back to Canada.
Zamora Ríos loved to learn and was determined to do so. She pursued her Masters in Hispanic Linguistics, all while continuing her battle with neuroendocrine cancer and working part time. She gained her IB teaching certificate less than a year before her passing in March of 2025.
“Joy was her superpower. She was always the friend called upon to organize and bring life to any event. Angélica's resilience, determination and strength of character have given us an example to live by and to strive for,” Lavergne shares.
“Her loss has been devastating to those of us closest to her, and widely felt by so many students, peers and friends across the globe.”
As well as being a dedicated lifelong learner herself, Angélica was genuinely excited for others to learn Spanish and to share her knowledge and experiences of Mexican culture and tradition. She endeavored to use language to help others to better understand and appreciate other cultures.
For Lavergne, it is important to find positive ways to redirect his loss and grief, and to honour Angélica's work and achievements in the areas she was most passionate about: rescuing and caring for abandoned dogs, improving treatment access for neuroendocrine patients and in bringing Spanish to as many people as she could.
“This award offers a unique way to ensure that Angélica's love and passion for learning will not be forgotten, and at the same time ensures that more of those learners who share her passion for Spanish will be both inspired and able to follow,” he says.
The Angélica Zamora Ríos Award in Spanish Language Studies is open to SCS learners who have successfully completed at least one Spanish Language course at SCS to continue their learning journey in the program.
If you would like to donate towards this award, please visit: https://engage.utoronto.ca/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate#/fund/2358
For more information about this award, please visit our awards page.