French with Janet B.

When I first took French at Northridge Junior High, I fell in love with the language. I had a great teacher, Mr. Summer, and learning the language came easy to me. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be a French teacher. I followed my dream by continuing to take French classes all the way through high school and majoring in French in college. My first goal was to go to school in France and in my junior year at Cal State Northridge, I did just that. It was such an incredible experience to actually live in the country, learn about its culture, and practice my language. I will never forget it. After getting my Masters degree and receiving my teaching credential, I attained my second goal - becoming a French teacher. I landed a teaching job at Quartz Hill High School in Lancaster. My dream had come true. I followed that job with teaching at Chatsworth Hills Academy, Calabasas High, Sepulveda Middle School, Reseda High and finally Cleveland High (my alma mater!). I spent over 30 years teaching French, engendering a love for the language and culture in many of my students. Since I retired in June, 2012, I continue to use my French by tutoring. I am thrilled if I can help a student become more proficient and perhaps raise his/her grade. Besides teaching, I also worked as a consultant for Disney when they were building the French Pavilion at Epcot, and I gave guided tours in French during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Vive le francais!