Laurel Miller--French

St. Michael to Introduce French in 2018-19; Hires First Teacher

St. Michael has hired Miss Laurel Miller to teach French I for the 2018-2019 school year with the intention of growing the French program to become a four year program. Miss Miller is a 2016 graduate of the University of South Alabama, majoring in French Language and Literature, and has spent significant time in France, most recently as an Au Pair for a family in Grenoble, France. Her experiences include teaching English to Chinese students, teaching in three French elementary schools, and tutoring students in French at South Alabama. 

Miller is excited about starting French at St. Michael: “I can’t wait to meet my students and get started this fall. I’ve seen that the biggest hindrance to speaking a foreign language is the fear of jumping out of your comfort zone, so I want to create a classroom environment where my students feel supported and encouraged to express themselves. If students can first learn how to be courageous through speaking a foreign language, then they can take these skills with them into the world as leaders and witnesses to their faith. “

“Miss Miller is a wonderful addition and a great fit,” says principal Faustin Weber. “She’s smart, dynamic and youthful—I think our students will respect her and like her.  I was also edified by her passion for the Catholic faith, and think she’ll be an excellent role model and witness in that regard.” 

Weber describes the decision to begin French next year as an “audible.”  

“We were originally going to teach French at St. Michael when we opened as a school in 2016,”  he says, “but I met Dr. Lindley, and realized he could teach Latin for us, which was important for sophomores coming from McGill who had taken Latin I as part of the Aquinas program. Dr. Lindley has done a great job with Latin, but our numbers are dwindling in comparison to Spanish, so when he told me he was retiring from teaching (though he will remain our College Counselor), I realized we had the opportunity to go back to our original plan. In addition to Miss Miller, Mrs. Suzanne Lindley is fluent in French, and as our program matures, she’ll give us real flexibility in meeting the needs of our students. “

“As for students currently enrolled in Latin, those in Latin I will be able to complete their 2 year requirement with Mr. Scimeca, who will teach Latin II. Those signed up for Latin I, III or IV will have the option of taking French or Spanish in its place. “

Miss Miller is a parishioner at St. Margaret in Foley, where she is also active in youth ministry.