Q&A With Névine Watkins

Why do you teach?

I teach because I am passionate about sharing my home, Paris, France, with students and empowering them to learn and speak my first language. I enjoy opening their minds to a new culture and a new way of seeing the world around them. And what a privilege it is to evolve professionally in a place where many before me have worked tirelessly to ensure that the French program is recognized with honors by the American Association of Teachers of French.

How do you engage students in learning a new language?

Learning should be fun yet focused on the learners. I use a simulated immersion approach. Immersing students in the target language in a native speaker environment is the best way for students to understand and speak a new language. My teaching philosophy is student-centered. It’s all about the students and how to bring out the best out in them. Their potential is still unfolding, and being a part of their academic and personal growth in another language brings me joy and satisfaction.

What do you love about teaching French at FWCD?

I love teaching at FWCD because our students begin their second language acquisition in kindergarten by taking a semester of French and a semester of Spanish. The School sets the stage for such positive things to happen. I enjoy collaborating with my fellow teachers and creating special cultural programs like the Taste of Paris, la Toussaint, Mardi Gras and International Day. These events foster community, give our Falcons an opportunity to experience diverse cultures, and engage and inspire them to grow into world-ready adults.

Hearing our enthusiastic young Falcons speaking French to me during carpool or in the cafeteria is one of the best rewards. I work with the best team of teachers and have the opportunity to interact with all levels of French students. Our Upper School students visit to read French books to the Lower Schoolers, and our Middle School students help enhance our special events. Watching them having fun while learning is unmatched!

What makes FWCD students stand out?

FWCD students come from different cultures and have different personal experiences that bring so many perspectives and benefits to the community and enhance student learning experiences, especially in our modern language classes. Our students are hungry for knowledge, and the School’s foundational core values are regularly on display, so we, as teachers, see each student blossom as they mature.

Névine Watkins, Lower School French Teacher