by Regina, (3-5’s parent)
Who is this “Teacher Allison”? As the school year is coming to a close, we have all become familiar with our adored Teacher Allison. We know she’s patient, kind, thoughtful, and has great energy…But what don’t we know about her?!
Me: So, in a nutshell?
Teacher A: I was born and raised in Alabama, moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University. I had dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Me: A lawyer? But…you’re a teacher!
Teacher A: Exactly, after graduating with a BA in History, I decided to take a detour and go to France instead of law school. I taught English there for a year, and that’s where I learned to speak French fluently.
Me: So, you speak fluently. What’s that like?
Teacher A: I am fluent, but I don’t have the native accent. So French people often assumed I was British. Once I started dreaming in French that is how I knew I had made it as far as being “fluent”. We currently speak French at home; Watson is bilingual and comfortable with both.
Me: ok, so where does the rest of the story go?
Teacher A: My plan was just to stay for a year, and return for law school but I fell in love with the country, and with a boy (not my husband!)
Me: Ok, this is interesting! When and where did you meet your husband then?!
Teacher A: I ended up staying in France for TWELVE years. I met my husband in the middle of those twelve. He was my student, as I taught adult professionals. Then, Watson was born.
Me: Ok, so you fell in love with your husband, and the country. Tell me more about France. How is it different than America?
Teacher A: Loving France is a lot like loving a person: both wonderful and terrible. I feel like France and America differ in three major ways: 1) the food. French eat fresh, fresh food. They have huge outdoor markets and people shop on a two-day basis (not Costco sized like Americans). The French buy quality vs. quantity and store it in their small refrigerators. That’s how to keep the fresh food in limited supply. 2) People are not as friendly in France. Strangers are welcome, but French are very reserved. They’re not mean—if your car broke down, people will stop and help push, get the car started again but they’re just not friendly. 3) Priorities, like life balance, and holidays. Holidays are big, vacations are big, people in France don’t live to work, and they work to live. A two week holiday in America is shocking and uncommon. But in France, the average holiday is 9 weeks. Life is/was slower in France. People sit in their cafes with their wine, coffee and or cigarett
es and let time pass them by.
Me: Sounds like it’s a quality vs. quantity way of life. Now you’re back. How did that happen? And is there anything about the French way of life you’ve continued on in America?
Teacher A: We moved for the education. Once Watson was born we felt like America had more opportunities, and I wanted to finish school, so yes, I returned with two extra people in tow and a different plan for my degree. One thing I miss terribly about France is that people were not materialistic like Americans. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a choice to want more, but in France, they were content with the slowness and simpleness of life. Everything was smaller. House, car, refrigerator. I want to keep things simple and am not comfortable with having too much of everything.
Me: It’s amazing how a twelve year detour shaped your entire life. Now here you are, teaching our very lucky 3-5’s! What brought you here?
Teacher A: I taught high school but switched because of Watson. I’m currently working on my master’s degree and plan to return to teach higher grade levels focusing on history, social studies and French.
Me: It’s obvious our kiddos love you and will miss you once you make that transition. What is the best thing and the most challenging thing about working with this age group?
Teacher A: I love that the kids tell me they love me! High School students never would! They’re still at an age where they want to please and try hard and show that by putting things away, bringing things, making things. It’s the basic, simplest language of love! Beautiful. The most challenging? I would say that they’re sometimes not nice to e
ach other, which makes me sad. This is normal and age-appropriate behavior, but it can be hard watching that. I know they will evolve to develop socially appropriate behaviors! They’re basically 3, 4, 5 year old adults!
Me: So true. So Teacher Allison, tell us something we don’t know. You’ve shared a lot (and am envious of your adventures!), but what are your current favorite things to do, your current guilty pleasures?
Teacher A: I love to go hiking with my family and forage for mushrooms. My husband’s family has a tradition hiking for mushrooms so we’ve carried that on here. I love Mexican food and sushi. Also love Raclette cheese with smoked ham or on different items. Guilty pleasures? Sweets. “The Bachelor” or “Downton Abbey”. My favorite color is red for Alabama. We are huge football fans!
That’s Teacher Allison in a nutshell. And we are so lucky to have her with us!
