In The Classroom Grew u p i n Rich mond Beach (S horel i ne) B. A . French a nd Stud io A r t , Li nfield Col lege; Master’s in Teaching, Seattle University WA Teach i ng Cer ti fication for French a nd Visua l Ar ts Favori te Books: “ Me Ta l k Prett y O ne Day” by David Sedaris, “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barber y Favori te Movies: “A mél ie, ” “I Hea r t H ucka bees, ” “Mean Girls” and “Visages Villages” Favori te Food : Cha rcuter ie boa rd pa i red wi th a fine, bold red cuvée Loves to da nce, cook a nd ma ke a r t
Viva La Loving France Language Julia O’Donnell Who has inspired you in teaching? Many of my high school teachers and college professors inspired me, especially in developmental psychology and the science of learning. I have a love for lifelong learning and being in an environment where I can share my passions and support and encourage students. Being able to guide and encourage students through their spiritual, emotional and intellectual development inspired me to be a teacher.
Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher? Yes, in high school I knew I wanted to be a teacher. At first, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but after AP biology labs, I changed my mind. I then wavered between art therapist and teacher. But once I 6
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completed a teaching internship in France and began coaching club volleyball, I knew teaching was the path I wanted to take.
Do you have a favorite place to travel? I still have much of the world to explore but I love traveling through Europe! I would love to travel anywhere because I like to find beauty and adventure everywhere I go.
What is your favorite part of teaching? The students! I love watching them grow, seeing the light bulbs come on, their love and excitement for learning, their curiosity and creativity and sense of humor. I love having my students for three or four years. The class becomes a family full of inside jokes, memes, skits, memories and you get to watch them come into their own as individuals and together as a class.
What courses do you teach? Currently, I am teaching all the French classes: Middle School French 1A and 1B; High School French 1, French 2, UW in the High School French 103 and AP French. In previous years I taught visual arts along with French.
What do you have to do differently to teach a language remotely? I am continually trying new things to see what works. Language requires repetition, consistency and multiple skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. It is hard to measure all these skills during each class period, especially when we are only seeing each other twice each week. More responsibility is on the students to keep repetition and consistency going. The
