08/13/2026
SPOTLIGHT: Tavhata Boyer!
Born in Mexico City and raised in Monterrey, Tavhata came to BYU through an undergrad exchange program, where she met her husband, Tim. After graduating in Mexico, they got married, and Tavhata went on to complete two years of graduate study in international relations.
When Tim’s graduate program brought them to Texas in 2014, Tavhata began looking for a job to help support their family. Drawing on her teaching background, including over 400 volunteer hours teaching in Mexico and teaching elementary Spanish during grad school, she accepted a position as a high school Spanish teacher.
Now entering her 13th year of teaching, Tavhata primarily teaches Spanish to heritage speakers, helping students develop more advanced academic language skills. She teaches remotely to students across 10 high schools. She also works for the College Board grading AP Spanish exams.
One of Tavhata’s favorite parts of teaching is seeing students have that “aha!” moment when a concept finally clicks. She loves teaching language because it takes a lot of humility. Learning a language means making mistakes and accepting correction. She enjoys helping students feel confident to express themselves, even if their skills aren’t perfect.
She currently serves as a nursery leader in the Kleinwood ward and has served in many callings, including in Young Women, Relief Society, ward missionary, and one of her favorites: stake Spanish translator. She loved combining her language skills with spiritual service, feeling the guidance of the Spirit as she helped convey gospel messages.
Tavhata says she feels the Savior’s love through acts of kindness and by seeing others as He sees them. As a teacher, she seeks to love and understand each student, and remember that everyone has challenges we cannot always see.
She and Tim are the parents of 3-year-old Susie, who is fully bilingual and loves correcting both her dad’s Spanish and her mom’s English! Tavhata says it is a privilege to raise her own heritage speaker, and pass on her language, culture, and heritage to the next generation.
Thank you, Tavhata, for your example of faith, service, education, and love for others!
