Our Training & Background

David B. Dees, M.A. + Degree,
Spanish-Russian;

Colette Joly Dees, M.A., C. Phil. Degrees, Spanish-French-Italian.

Both credentialed, experienced instructors of Spanish, French, ESL & Russian in secondary schools & colleges. Extensive travel & residence in Latin America & Europe.

A French native & Fulbright scholar, Colette is an internationally-known translator of Catholic theology from French, Italian & Spanish.

David has developed specialized Spanish programs for adults. He has published articles in trade magazines & has addressed language topics at police & fire conferences.

David & Colette have taught Spanish at Santa Monica Fire Department, Santa Monica College Fire Science & Public Safety Departments, Oxnard College Fire Technology Department, fraud investigators through Ventura College, Hueneme CB Fire Department, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and the Ventura County Fire Department--more than 2000 students!

Over the past ten years, the Dees have taught more than 50 tri-county police/sheriff cadet & level I, II & III police/deputy classes of Spanish for Law Enforcement classes at the Ventura County Criminal Justice & Sheriff's Tri-county Cadet Academy Training Center, Camarillo, CA.

Unfortunately, Colette died from lung cancer in April, 2004. She was enthusiastic about training cops and firefighters! God has kept her in my heart as my guardian angel and co-instructor!