Play

March 25, 2013 Photo of the Day: "Play"

Today, I started taking inventory of my classroom. I want to leave everything that a new French teacher will need, but I also want to take my treasured books, music, movies, gifts, and memories with me. My new classroom or office will still reflect my love for culture, literature, travel, and learning. I came across this lovely plaque, designed by a former Pewaukee art teacher. Pat Hoff was a wonderfully creative and inspiring woman. I always looked to her as a mentor when I first started teaching. My French students and I had the privileged of working with Pat on interdisciplinary projects, and taking field trips to Chicago to study Impressionism and modern art. Pat was always doodling, creating art on everything she touched. She was kind and funny, and she often reminded me not to take things too seriously. Although I'm not crafty, I believe that I am creative. Pat encouraged me to let go of my perfectionist tendencies, and just let art happen. This is still a struggle for me. Pat's plaque reminds me to take time to just play. What a lovely idea!

Change


March 24, 2013 Photo of the day: "Change"

We are all waiting for spring to arrive. On this snowy  Palm Sunday, I am really craving change: blue skies, green grass, tulips and crocus. Spring Break begins later this week. I will be spending the week in France with six students. We are hoping to catch a glimpse of spring -- the proverbial "Paris in the Springtime."  When I return, I hope that spring will have sprung here too!

It's a Sign

March 22, 2013 Photo of the day: "It's a sign..."

"The one exclusive sign of thorough knowledge
is the power of teaching." - Aristotle


I always wondered why the signs on the doors of the Spanish and Chinese teachers specify their languages while mine says "Foreign Language." I have never liked that term, preferring to refer to French, Spanish, Chinese, etc. as "world languages." In French, the word "étranger" can mean either "foreign" or "strange." As much as I haven't liked this sign outside my door, it certainly will feel strange when it is no longer there. This week, I told my students that I will won't be their French teacher next year. Although they were disappointed, to my delight, they assured me that I will always be "Madame" :)

Blue & Gold


March 21, 2013 Photo of the day: "Blue & Gold"

Milwaukee is all decked out in blue and gold today, obviously representing Marquette in the first round of the NCCA tournament ;-) Our second Southeast Wisconsin Tech Coaches meeting adjourned just in time for game. Don't worry, I didn't take this photo while driving. I was in the passenger seat. Yikes, what a game! Marquette trailed 14th seed Davidson for most of the game, but thanks to three 3-point shots and a layup in the final second, MU won by a single point! Now that's March Madness! 

It pays to have Pope Francis on our side:

Photo courtesy of USA Today