Meet Shannon Borum—a French teacher at Jackson High School (GA).
“Teaching a language means connecting to the beautiful world around us.”
Shannon Borum
Educator Spotlight
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The Start of a Teaching Journey:
It was, of course, a language teacher who inspired me. Madame Arnold exposed me to the world outside my own town, not only through teaching French and francophone culture but also by organizing a trip to visit Europe.
She encouraged me as a language learner and gave me confidence to do things I never would have thought to try. Her influence made me feel valuable and capable. Having a teacher like her made me want to BE a teacher like her for others.
Career Highlight:
It's all the little moments: the high-fives in the hall, the unexpected interactions during a lesson, seeing those "ah-ha" moments as they happen, and watching my students grow in confidence. I feel fulfilled when students say my class is one they look forward to or one they feel like they can be themselves in.
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On Being an ACTFL Member:
As a teacher in a rural area, I love that ACTFL connects me to other teachers around the country.
Our profession really is "beg, borrow, steal... and give credit," and the connections I make as part of the ACTFL community have given me so many great ideas for my own classroom. Being around folks who understand our content and pedagogy is uplifting.
Using Languages Outside the Classroom:
Languages connect us to each other and the world. Being exposed to many languages and cultures through my colleagues and students has shown me the beautiful connections we all have to each other. I'd love to tour the world learning more about cultures!
Advice for Next-Gen Teachers:
First, love your students: Be the Madame Arnold for them. Second, find your folks: It's a hard job already, so please find people who will uplift you, support you, and guide you well.
Favorite Word or Phrase in Another Language:
You can't be unhappy after saying pamplemousse. It's just a grapefruit in French, but it's a fun one.
Get inspired by even more Educator Spotlight profiles in our growing archive of member testimonials! Then explore all the resources available via ACTFL membership.
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