Who We Are
Lily Friend-Grover
Owner/Instructor
Swift Spanish is owned and operated by Lily Friend-Grover. Lily lived in Mexico for 5 years during her childhood, where she became fluent in Spanish.
Back in the United States, Lily studied Education and Spanish in college, graduating with honors. For three years, Lily taught in the elementary setting. Two of these years were in a bilingual program in Washington State. In 2004, Lily began working as a Spanish instructor for Lamar Community College in Colorado. She obtained certification as a Command Spanish® instructor and started teaching customized classes for a variety of businesses as well. She also taught a number of community Spanish classes to dozens of satisfied clients. Lily's clients have included BOCES, Lamar Dental Associates, Prowers Medical Center, the faculty of Lamar Community College, the Pueblo City-County Library, the Lamar Public Library, SECAHEC, community members, and others.
Lily has taught all ages of learners for more than seven years. She loves to teach and create fun, safe, and engaging learning environments for her students. She is passionate about teaching Spanish that her students can go out and use on the job the very next day. One of Lily's greatest joys in teaching is hearing from her students how they were able to make a connection with a patient, student, employee, or customer by using the Spanish they learned in her class.
Besides teaching, Lily is passionate about the great outdoors, children, animals, culture, languages, and frequent flier miles. She is an avid shoestring budget traveler and has been to a number of countries, including Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, South Africa, Lesotho, Romania, Benin, France, Australia, and Ecuador/Galapagos Islands, and more than half of the U.S. States.
Rhoda Friend
Instructor (Colorado Springs area)
Rhoda Friend is Lily Friend-Grover's mother, and is directly responsible for the 5 years Lily spent in Mexico. Rhoda lived in Mexico during the same time and became very proficient in Spanish and familiar with the Mexican culture. Rhoda's medical background has further allowed her many opportunities to interact with Spanish-speaking patients here in the U.S. As a nurse practitioner, she has also traveled to Honduras to provide medical services to the people in that area. Additionally, she has made two trips to Guatemala. Rhoda successfully homeschooled both of her daughters and has taught numerous classes and seminars in the medical field, and shines as an educator. Her talents, humor, and energy provide a wonderful addition to Swift Spanish.
What People Say About Us...
"Lily was a great teacher who made Spanish fun and easy to remember. The few times I have been able to use the Spanish she taught us in my job have been a great pleasure for myself and the patient. The patient could understand what I needed and they felt good when they left knowing they could understand me and know what was going on. I hope to use my knowledge more everyday."
~Tammi Whisenhand, Radiologic Technologist
"The instructor made it fun. Time went by fast. Never got bored!"
~Julie Jones, law enforcement professional
"The class was so much fun I forgot I was learning!"
~Community Spanish student
"I feel I can continue learning Spanish on my own. The book is very learning friendly and will be a real asset to have in the exam rooms."
~Spanish for the Physician's Office student
"This was the best Spanish class I have ever had."
~Community Spanish student