Bienvenue!
Je m'appelle Madame Elkins. I am just finishing my seventh year teaching and I've been blessed to be here at St. Joseph High School for all of them. I teach French 1-4. I've enjoyed having all sorts of students from freshmen to seniors and sharing the different levels of the French language and culture with them.

I am originally from this area and I came back here after getting my degree from Central Michigan University. I've always loved the area and Lake Michigan. I also wanted to be near my family. I finished my Master of Arts in the Teaching of a Language (MATL) from USM last year. This continuing education is helping me implement new ideas and thoughts about how to teach in a modern day language classroom.

I am the French Club advisor and leader. French Club is a fun and social club where students can get together with others in the language and experience new things. We have about one event each month or more. Some of those events include crêpe night, caramel apple night, movie nights, Chicago trips, a beach volleyball picnic, and a Mardi Gras Festival. We often combine events with the other World Languages such as Spanish and Latin. I encourage my students to get involved in this!

I enjoy traveling and I've been to Spain, Italy, Mexico, Canada, much of the U.S., and of course France. I look forward to my student trips to France. I took the kids in 2007 and again in 2010. It's a great experience for all that go.  We will be taking another trip next summer, 2013. We will be traveling to Italy and France. Please visit that page on my website for more information.

I am interested in communicating with the parents and students about their progress in the classroom. Please feel free to email me or call me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to a great experience with my students this year!

Ciao!

Favorite book: Kiffe Kiffe Demain
by Faiza Guene