Teacher of the Week: Susan Gagnon
Published: November 11, 2005
“Au Revoir, mes amies” is heard throughout the hallways of the John F. Ryan Elementary School in Tewksbury as world language teacher Susan Gagnon bids her Introduction to Language students a fond farewell at the end of a long day.
Gagnon teaches the sixth grade, half the student body the first semester and half the second semester. The only downfall according to Gagnon is that as soon as her students really start to grasp the material and enjoy the class, its over.
“I am proud that Tewksbury offers foreign language to all students beginning in the sixth grade,” said Gagnon. “Some other communities don’t offer foreign language at all.”
Because the class is an introduction to all world languages, Gagnon teaches students the origin of the languages and where the languages come from. She focuses primarily on French.
“The student once at the high school level can chose between Latin, French and Spanish,” said Gagnon. “I also chose French because it is a language that is similar to many other languages.”
The students learn about other cultures as well as the languages and why it is important to know another language. Gagnon believes the skills that her students are learning in class assist with other classes in school.
“The research skills, reading, writing and deciphering the different origins assist them in other class as well,” said Gagnon. “I work with other teachers to integrate the curriculum so that the students see how the foreign language can carry over into other areas.”
Gagnon speaks French, German and has begun teacher herself Arabic.
“It is a hobby of mine,” said Gagnon. “Learning a new language keeps me refreshed and it’s so interesting to learn about different ways of life.”
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