Because of the many foreign languages are offered at the high school level, there are often many teachers per language. However, this week's Portage Life in the Spotlight Andrea Flynn is one of the few French teachers at Portage High School.
Flynn teachers French 1-4 at the high school level. She originally taught at the university level, but then realized that she felt herself drawn to teaching a younger age group. She said she found herself wanting to teach those in high school rather than those already with a high school diploma.
Flynn has been teaching for 16 years. She attended Northern Illinois University to earn her bachelors and masters degrees, and then went to school again at Valpo University to earn her second masters degree, this time in education.
One of the reasons Flynn loves the French language is because she also loves the culture and people. Flynn also loves the fact that France is a universal language and you can find people who speak it anywhere. She has been to France multiple times.
"I love the fact it's fluid and changing," Flynn said. "You can find people who speak it all around the world."
Flynn believes her experiences in France have helped her with her teaching. She said that while in the country she was able to learn the difference between "textbook French" and "active, everyday, modern French."
"Being able to travel, you see the language in many creative different ways," Flynn said. "You see the different ways they use it, like up on a billboard."
Flynn's favorite thing about teaching is working with her students. She likes seeing her students be more confident when they speak and use language skills.
"I love when they all of a sudden understand something or make a connection between something else they're learning and what we're learning in French," Flynn said.
Flynn believes the foreign language is helping them become more aware of the world. She thinks the language helps them become a more global citizen, not only being aware of what happens in our region but of what happens all over the world.
According to French 3 student Matthew Allison, Flynn is unique because of her caring attitude.
"She's really open and caring while other teachers might try and brush you aside if you have questions," Allison said. "She goes really in depth and tries to work out the problems."
Aside from earning high school credits, students can also earn college credits from taking French 3 and 4.
"I want them to get dual credit. It makes such a difference in their college life," Flynn said. "If they get the credits, it can save them a whole semester in college. That's huge."
Flynn also has goals to accomplish each day in her classroom.
"I want them to feel like I remember what we did yesterday and then feel like I'm taking it one step farther. I want them to be conversational in French," Flynn said. "I don't want the fear of speaking imperfectly keep them from trying to speak the language."
As far as personal goals go, Flynn has a few of those too.
She wants to become a better teacher and learn from the feedback of her students.
Outside of actually teaching French, Flynn also runs a French club at the high school. In additional, she oversees the Foreign Language Honor Society Program, since she is Department Chair of the Foreign Language Program.
Outside from school completely, Flynn likes to read. She has three kids and joked that their hobbies are her hobbies. During the summer, Flynn likes to cross stitch and sew. Lastly, Flynn enjoys gardening and yard work.
