The Omniscient
Page 7
November 2021
MADAME KOLMAN County’s Sole French Teacher BY GRACE LEONARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Madame Kolman is Northwood’s only French teacher who teaches four levels of French with students from all grades. After a decade of being at Northwood, Madame Kolman has lots of insight to share on teaching and la culture française. Q: How long have you been teaching French and how many of those years were at Northwood? A: This is my 10th year at Northwood. Back in the early 80s, I taught for 2 years at J.F. Webb High School in Granville County, and I was an assistant teacher at Chapel Hill High for one semester. My first position was a temporary one at Jordan High in Durham, just for one term during another teacher’s pregnancy leave. Between 1983 and 2012, I primarily taught adults in the healing arts.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a teacher at Northwood and/or what does Northwood have to offer that makes it special to you? A: I have really appreciated being a part of Northwood. The administration has been totally supportive, and I have felt completely backed by the principals and assistant principals, colleagues and office staff during my years here. I enjoy teaching in a rural setting, surrounded by trees and trails. I feel very proud and lucky to be part of a school that has such an excellent arts department. As a musician and artist myself it has been delightful to support and attend events and to have many artists and musicians in my French classes. I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated my World Language department teachers and other colleagues. We have some incredibly gifted teachers here at Northwood! And I have learned so much new technology! Q: What makes French so special (to you or in general)? A: My father taught me my first French phrases as a child (“ouvrez la porte s’il vous plaît”) but I think Madame Wilson instilled in me a special love for all things French. When I was in high school, my closest friends were all in Madame’s classes. We spoke French all the time, in class, at parties and concerts, driving places, shopping. We somehow made the language work for us even when we didn’t have the exact words. I had the opportunity to study in the south of France my junior year at UNC-CH, at Université Paul Valérie in Montpellier. I spent time in Paris and fell in love with this beautiful city. I studied in Angers in a graduate program after I began teaching at Northwood. The more I learn about all the different incredible places to visit in France, the more I want to spend time there. And I want to visit many other French speaking places in the world! Such beauty, culture and variety! I appreciate speaking the French language, in particular. I love the way it feels rolling off my tongue. The first year I was back in the classroom, in 2012, I delighted in being able to speak French all I wanted and getting paid for it! French is a beautiful, musical language. I love the appreciation of beauty and art that the French have. I really appreciate how France has protected its food from genetic modification and values its farmers and takes pride in their products. Food in France is so delicious! In addition, the French people are interested in repairing their things rather than throwing them away. They have huge stores that support and supply this hobby. I love how the different regions keep their original languages and keep their traditions alive. The café culture expresses the French “joie de vivre” and the importance of taking time to enjoy time with friends, time to enjoy life. I have dear friends who are French, and I value our special connection. I appreciate being able to communicate with people from all over the world who speak French.
