About me |
EDUCATION
University of Connecticut
Ph.D., Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies (2009)
Specialization in Medieval Literature.
Dissertation: "Ronsasvals and the Origins of the Chanson de Roland"
Université de Paris X - Nanterre
Completed all courses for an M.A. in Medieval History, 1995-96.
New York University
M.A., French Language and Civilisation (1996)
Awarded a full academic scholarship to NYU-in-Paris
Studied at both the NYU-in-Paris and the Université Paris-Sorbonne.
Master's thesis subject: Language acquisition and The Natural Approach
Carla Rossi Academy (in Monsummano Terme, Italy)
Dante: La Divina Commedia, six-week summer program, 1995.
Université de Paris III - Sorbonne
L'Enseignement de FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language), Summer 1990.
University of Connecticut
B.A., English literature (1984)
LANGUAGES
English, Native
French, Near-native (C2)
Italian, Fluent (C1)
Spanish, Intermediate (B1)
German, Basic (A2)
Arabic, Russian, Swahili, Basic (A1)
EMPLOYMENT
Miramonte High School
Orinda, CA |
2023 to present |
French teacher (FR 1, 2, 3, 4, AP French) |
École Bilingue
Berkeley, CA |
2021 - 2023 |
French and History teacher / Interim Head of Middle School |
Carmen Arace M. S.
Bloomfield, CT |
2020 - 2021 |
French teacher |
Middlesex Middle School
Darien, CT |
2019 - 2020 |
French teacher |
B. Dover Jackson MS
New London, CT |
2018 - 2019 |
French teacher |
SUNY - Purchase
Purchase, NY |
Spring 2018 |
Adjunct Professor of French |
New Canaan HS
New Canaan, CT |
2016 - 2018 |
French teacher (AP French, UConn Early College Experience) |
KING'S ACADEMY
Madaba, JORDAN |
2014 - 2016 |
French teacher, French club organizer, and student advisor |
EASTCONN
Hampton, CT |
Dec, 2013
Oct, 2014 |
Employed as a consultant to create an exchange program for the Windham Academy for Humanities and Arts (Willimantic, CT) Details below. |
STMHS
New London, CT |
Jan, 2012
Sep, 2013 |
Employed as a consultant to create an exchange program for the STEM Magnet High School (New London, CT) Details below. |
Waterford Public Schools
Waterford, CT |
2003 - 2014 |
French teacher (2004 - 2014)
English teacher (2010-2013)
Latin teacher (2003-2004) |
New Haven Public Schools
New Haven, CT |
2001 - 2003 |
French teacher |
Wheeler High School
N. Stonington, CT |
1999 - 2001 |
French teacher |
Eastern Connecticut State Univ.
Willimantic, CT |
1997 - 1999 |
French instructor
Introductory and advanced levels |
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT |
1996 - 1997 |
French instructor
Beginner to upper levels
FREN 267 (French Theater) |
Université de Paris
Nanterre, FRANCE |
1995 - 1996 |
Instructor - English-language courses
in American government, American media |
Lycée International
St-Germain-en-Laye, FRANCE |
1993 - 1995 |
7th - 10th grade teacher
English, Ancient and Medieval History |
Institut de La Tour
Paris, FRANCE |
1990 - 1993 |
Anglophone Section, Director and English teacher CLICK: Anglophone Sect. article |
Elisabeth Irwin HS
Greenwich Village, NY |
1989 - 1990 |
English teacher |
St. Thomas More School
Oakdale, CT |
1986 - 1989 |
French teacher
English teacher
|
OTHER PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS and ACTIVITIES
FRENCH & ARABIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM (2016) Developed an exchange program and school partnership between King's Academy and the lycée Lucie Aubrac in Courbevoie, France. The lycée Aubrac is one of the few high schools in France which offers Arabic language instruction.
INTERNATIONAL FRENCH TRIVIA NIGHT (2015, 2016) Developed a regional French Trivia Quiz in 2015, with five schools from the Amman area participating, represented by 60 students competing with our 15 students from King's. The second iteration of our contest had two overseas schools (New London High School in Connecticut, and the collège Henri Guillaumet in Blagnac, France) participating in our Kahoot! quiz in an online chat room.
CLICK HERE to see our promotional spot for Trivia Night.
ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL KARAOKE @ KING'S (2015, 2016) Developed a popular karaoke activity as weekend entertainment for permanent boarding students. The first event saw students perform in 14 different languages; the second time, 20 languages.
Mythes, Légendes, et Folklore (2014) Worked with Ms. Hélène Papper (United Nations, Chief of Radio - Mali) to develop a francophone radio program. The program solicited contributions recorded by students from all over the world, recounting favorites stories from their homelands.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP (2013-2014): Arts and Humanities Academy in Windham, CT and the colegio Los Angeles in Madrid, Spain Worked as a consultant for the New London Public School system. Coordinated administrators and art and foreign language teachers in Windham to develop the format for a year-long, interdisciplinary research project. Traveled to Madrid to coordinate this program with the Spanish counterpart.
DEVELOPED PLATFORM for FOREIGN LANGUAGE PATHWAY (2013-2014): All-magnet school district in New London, CT Worked as a consultant for Dr. Stephen Adamowski, Special Master of New London Public Schools. Developed vision for a new Foreign Language program. Coordinated with system administrators and BOE members and made a public presentation for the New London Board of Ed. CLICK HERE to see a presentation on the Foreign Language Pathway.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP (2012-2013): Science and Tech Magnet High School in New London, CT and the Liceo Scientifico in Montecatini Terme, Italy. Worked as a consultant for the New London Public School system. Coordinated with science and math teachers in New London and Montecatini to develop a family-stay exchange trip. This relationship has continued, with trips happening annually for the last seven years.
CLICK HERE to see an article on the exchange.
The Center for European Partnership (2010 - 2011) Developed charter for non-profit organization to advance the following programs: EuroCONNECT and A-B-C Exchanges (Academic, Business, and Cultural exchanges.) These programs seek to introduce a new model for teaching foreign language in Connecticut using foreign language programs as a platform to attract European business investment to our state. CLICK HERE to see a presentation on the CEP.
International video-conferencing (March 2010 - June 2013) Initiated a program of video-conferences between students from Waterford's Contemporary Affairs classes and students from our partner schools:
Geschwister-Scholl Gymnasium in Lebach, Germany;
Liceo Scientifico Salutati in Montecatini Terme, Italy; and
Collège Henri Guillaumet in Blagnac, France.
CLICK HERE to see THE DAY article on VIDEO-CONFERENCING.
International exchange programs for WATERFORD HIGH SCHOOL (Oct 2006 - 2014)
Established permanent exchange programs with our partner schools in France, Germany and Italy, including an official exchange of "twinning" letters between our town halls. On alternate years, Waterford students participated in exchange trips to the schools in these towns. Starting in 2006, WHS ran exchange trips with our partner school in Poitiers, France, the Lycée Victor Hugo. As part of this exchange, our students' civic engagement in the community included volunteering for the "Caravane des Sports", teaching young French children fencing, golf, and softball.
In February 2010, our students spent two weeks in Germany. In October 2010, 30 Italian students came to Waterford High, and 18 French students came in May 2011. In April 2011, 33 Waterford students traveled to Montecatini Terme, and 16 more spent two weeks in Blagnac, France. All students attended classes and educational programs in the host schools and the surrounding areas.
CLICK HERE to see THE DAY article on the 2012 ITALIAN EXCHANGE with New London's SCIENCE AND TECH MAGNET SCHOOL.
CLICK HERE to see Waterford Times article on the 2010 ITALIAN EXCHANGE with Waterford High School.
CLICK HERE to see Il Tirreno article on the 2011 ITALIAN EXCHANGE.
CLICK HERE to see La Nazione article on the WHS Jazz Band in Montecatini.
Prends la parole ! (May 2007 - June 2012) Developing a series of podcasts of simple French literature available to students and teachers. See links below for samples.
Global Works, Inc, (July 2004, 2005, 2006) Program Director (France) for language-study/community-service immersion programs.
Governor's Commission on Francophone Culture (Connecticut), (2001 - 2005)
Director, Education Subcommittee
Waterford High School, (Aug 2002 - Jun 2004) Director of High School Drama Program.
Eastern Connecticut State University, (Aug 1998 - May 1999) WECS, 91.7, Campus radio station; produced a weekly, one-hour, French music show supported by a website with lyrics and vocabulary notes.
Institut de La Tour, Paris, FRANCE, (1990 - 1993) Director of the Bilingual Section
Lastours, FRANCE, (1996 - 1999; 2004 - 2006) Archeological excavation of medieval village, under direction of Marie-Elise Gardel
Reggello, ITALY, (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000) Archeological excavation of medieval oppidum, under direction of Pr. Guido Vannini.
PRESENTATIONS
| May, 2015 | Multilingualism Conference (United World College of South East Asia, Singapore)
Presentation title: Teaching second languages like first languages.
CLICK HERE for conference web page |
| Mar, 2014 | Regional Professional Development Conference
Presentation title: Using online pedagogical resources (TV5, lyricstraining.com, Voicethread, VOKI, Quizlet, etc) in your foreign language classes. |
| Jan, 2014 | WPS Professional Development Meeting
Presentation title: CBLI in the Foreign Language Classroom. |
| Nov, 2013 | Regional Professional Development Conference
Presentation title: Making AUDIOBOOKS with GarageBand and Keynote. |
| Mar, 2013 | Regional Professional Development Conference
Presentation title: TPR exercises for all levels of language study / ASL and TPR. |
| Nov, 2012 | Regional Professional Development Conference
Presentation title: TPR using TPRManager. (TPRManager is a website currently in development, designed by Mark and Richard Foster, to facilitate, track, and generate data on TPR usage.) |
| Oct, 2012 | Regional Professional Development Conference
Presentation title: Online resources for Foreign Language Teachers. |
| Nov, 2011 | CABE (CT Assoc. of Boards of Education) Fall Conference
Conference title: Educating Our Children for a Global Society
Presentation title: Overcoming Obstacles to International Exchange Travel. |
| Oct, 2011 | CTCOLT (CT Council of Language Teachers)Technology Conference
Presentation title: Online resources for French teachers |
| July, 2010 | Montréal, 13th Congress of the International Society of Courtly Literature
Topic: Roland and Aude: The Courtly Love of the Occitan Song of Roland. |
| Oct, 2009 | Université d'Avignon
Topic: Ronsasvals et les origines de La Chanson de Roland. |
| Jan, 2009 | The Center for the Teaching of French at Yale University
Topic: Syllabus for a Multimedia Unit on Immigration in France |
| Oct, 2008 | The Center for the Teaching of French at Yale University
Topic: TPR and Podcasting in the Foreign Language Classroom |
| May, 2008 | The Center for the Teaching of French at Yale University
Topic: Community-service-oriented exchange trips |
| Apr, 2008 | CTCOLT (CT Council of Language Teachers)Technology Conference
Topic: Creating podcasts to support a Literacy-based program |
| Feb, 2008 | Boston College, Medieval Conference
Topic: Ronsasvals and the Origins of The Song of Roland |
| Feb, 2008 | The Center for the Teaching of French at Yale University
Topic: Life as an American Expatriate |
| Jan, 2008 | University of Connecticut, Medieval Conference
Topic: Chrétien de Troyes' Erec et Enide |
HONORS AND AWARDS
May 2003
Connecticut Secretary of State’s Public Service Award -
In recognition of efforts made to develop a new paradigm for Foreign Language education in Connecticut schools.
April 2000 and April 2005
Dictée des Amériques, Québec -
Represented the United States in a French contest featuring competitors from 40 countries. Finsihed on the podium as top competitor from Region B (Eastern Europe, non-francophone Africa, South America and the US).
CLICK HERE for two-minute excerpt of 2005 TÉLÉ-QUÉBEC broadcast of La Dictée des Amériques.
February 1990
New York University; Received full scholarship for completion of Master’s in French Language and Civilization, studying at NYU-in-Paris.
MODERN LANGUAGES (ACTFL standards level)
| English | native |
| French | Distinguished |
| Italian | Advanced Mid |
| German | Intermediate Low |
| Spanish | Intermediate Low |
| Arabic | Novice Mid |
| Swahili | Novice Mid |
CLASSICAL and MEDIEVAL LANGUAGES
| Middle English | reading ability |
| Francien, Anglo-Norman | reading ability |
| Old Occitan (Provençal) | reading ability |
| Latin | basic reading ability |
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