Elena Pettiford ’18 and William Garner ’18 will travel to France after graduation as part of the Teaching Assistant Program in France.
The program offers young educators the opportunity to work in France for seven months, teaching English to French students of all ages. The program's goal is to strengthen foreign-language instruction in French schools by establishing a native speaker presence, while also providing young educators around the world with initial international teaching experience and first-hand knowledge of French language and culture.
Assistants teach 12 hours per week in up to three schools, and classes are conducted in English.
William Garner
Major: Interdepartmental French and Francophone Studies and English
Minor: Music
Hometown: Jersey City, N.J.
Activities: Union PRIDE, New Step Social Justice Retreat group facilitator, Iris House, Interfaith Youth Core, Union College Chorale, English Honors Society, Aime Simon ’91 Term Abroad Prize winner
Assignment: Grenoble, France
How does this fellowship/program tie into your Union education?
I’ve learned to embrace and investigate intercultural connections, particularly through literature and the arts. I will focus my teaching activities on cultural exchange because that is what leads to appreciation of a foreign language. Union has also taught me the value of interactive, discussion-based learning. The engaging teaching techniques that I’ve experienced in classes will influence how I present my lessons.
What are some courses/experiences here at Union that helped prepare you for it?
The Next Step Social Justice Retreat and various events with Union PRIDE and the Interfaith Youth Core have helped me to learn how to guide conversations about cultural difference. My term abroad in Rennes, France made me realize my passion for language and helped me to hone my French speaking skills.
Elena Pettiford
Majors: Mathematics and French and Francophone Studies
Hometown: Abingdon, Md.
Activities: Association for Women in Mathematics, Terra Dance Company, Chess Club, U-Break, Hip Hop Club, Steinmetz Symposium Dance Showcase
Assignment: Rouen, France
How does this fellowship/program tie into your Union education?
As a French major, I will be able to continue learning about French language and culture.
What are some courses/experiences here at Union that helped prepare you for it?
The Union term abroad in Rennes helped prepare me for working in France for a period of time — not only in learning the language but also in understanding the culture.
William Garner ’18 and Elena Pettiford ’18 will travel to France after graduation as part of the Teaching Assistant Program in France.
