Professional+Development+-+About+Us

Here is a brief bio of each member of our working group. (Each member create a brief biographical paragraph, include a photo if possible.)
 * **Chuck Thorpe:** I was born in Wichita, KS (1960). I earned a BA in German and later an MA in Spanish. I've taught a televised HS Spanish course since 1989. I've been fortunate to have traveled quite a bit, but South America remains on my 'still unseen' list. Were I to win the lottery, my answer remains the same: travel and take classes (go figure). I share life with my true treasure, Jon, and our two calico 'daughters,' Ted and Olivia. My hobbies include marine aquarium keeping (my clownfish Max has been with me since 1990), lap swimming, and gardening (roses for the table, basil pesto for the pasta). I love music of many kinds (flamenco is my latest fling), cinema ("The Lion in Winter" all-time favorite), Broadway (I must admit to having seen "Wicked" twice in the past 6 months), and wine (yes, pinot noir, but I knew that before "Sideways"). Currently reading: "Possible Side Effects" by Augusten Burroughs. || [[image:OliviaChuckTed.gif]] ||
 * **Teresa Farrar:** I was born and raised in a suburb of Rochester, New York (1960, also); I was one of eight children, so chaos is the norm for me. I spent summers in Maine as a child, and earned my BA in Romance Languages from the University of Maine in 1982. My MAt is also from UMaine in 1995. I started teaching high school in Dexter, Maine (where I still live) in 1982, fresh out of college. I married the first time at 18; we had two sons; Evan was born in 1989 and Christopher in 1991. Bryant is my husband now; we had Krystyna in 1997 and Hannah in 1998. We also have two standard poodles (one cream colored and one black) named Paige and Manny. B.C. (before children) I used to do photography and darkroom work, hike, travel, and do lots of different crafts. Now I drive my kids to soccer, track, dance, piano, basketball, and horseback riding. I love to read, walk, and listen to music. My photography now is generally of my kids and dogs. Poor things - my daughters love to put them in costume! I love to visit with my friends and have conversations with friends and colleagues. I have taught at four high schools (Dexter, Kennebunk, Orono, and now Foxcroft Academy). Actually, when I taught at Orono I was half-time at the middle school. That was my one and only year of middle school! I have taught both French and Spanish. I have been at FA for ten years; I am Dept, Chair of a department of four. We are 1 French, 2 Spanish, and 1 Latin. We had to cut our German program. Our school is about 440 students; 30 or so students are boarding (Internaitonal) students, while the majority are local students. One of my sisters teaches at our Alma Mater in Rochester, NY; we are always comparing notes. II am getting back big-time into professional activities. I was very involved in our state fl association when my boys were little, and things just got too busy. I am just beginning my term as president of the state foreign language association, and ran unsuccessfully as a board member of NECTFL. I love attending fl conferences; I find fl educators to be a wonderful group of folks - very inspiring. After all the kid-centered years, I'm getting my mind and professional development going again. || Teresa Farrar: Photo ||
 * **Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne:** I describe myself as a teacher. I am a child of teachers, my sister is a teacher, and many relatives are teachers-- it is in my DNA. I spent my life until college in Dallas Center, Iowa, a small town northwest of Des Moines. I got my BS in Education with a major in English and Spanish from Northwest Missouri State Univeristy. I have my MA in Secondary Administration from Creighton U in Omaha, NE. I have taught a buffet of classes from English to careers to speech while teaching Spanish 6th-college level. I teach at Harlan Comm. High School and will be in my 18th year of teaching. I love to travel--conquering my 50th state-- Nevada. I, too,like to travel, but often lack the money and time. I am a vegetarian who is addicted to Diet Coke (my last sin). I was a Navy wife for 3 years, but now he is home for good. We have three "kids": a black lab/border collie mix--Gothica en Sonata de Strauss, a grey/peach tabby named Wolverine de Tiras, and a tortie shell cat named Spyder de Vivaldi... I like to read, love movies, love musicals (I am a Mamma Mia junkie-- 4 times)... I am a big kid at heart. I get excited about learning and trying. Hopefully you will see a photo soon. || Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: Photo ||
 * **Brandee Mau:** I was born in Wyoming . Currently finishing: 'Tipping Point' by Malcolm Gladwell. Picture is of DD's birthday. She's a wild child. || [[image:Lenabday.jpg width="188" height="137"]] ||
 * **Brandee Mau:** I was born in Wyoming . Currently finishing: 'Tipping Point' by Malcolm Gladwell. Picture is of DD's birthday. She's a wild child. || [[image:Lenabday.jpg width="188" height="137"]] ||

And in an effort to get to know each other, respond to the following questions:

1. One thing that you should know about my life is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** That it's beautifully chaotic. I have been truly blessed in so many ways, but mostly by the wonderful people who have come into my life. I will never deserve all the love and support I've been given, yet am humbly grateful nonetheless.

Teresa Farrar: I try to have some fun and find happiness every day. I try to appreciate the beauty of where I live and my wonderful kids amid all the craziness of everyday life.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne:I live my life in the service of others. I am a bridge to help others to their next path. I have a wonderful support system and never doubt the love and respect I get and give.

Brandee Mau: ...that I love it dearly. I really try to spend my time and energy on matters that are dear to my heart: family, students, and enjoying every minute.

2. One thing that I’d like to know about you is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** Red, white, or no wine? No, really: red state, or blue state? No, this time, really: what in the world made you want to teach in the first place?

Teresa Farrar: How you manage to find time for everything - and yourself?

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: How do you find balance in teaching and a home-life and not feel guilty about the two?

Brandee Mau: In a hundred years, what do you want people to remember about you?

3. Three ideas or experiences that have significantly influenced my philosophy of teaching and learning are . ..
1) East Berlin 1981 and 1985 Summer Courses. Connecting with Russians, Japanese, Poles, Finns, and Ethiopians in German, everyday, living 12-to-a-3-bedroom apartment in a high-rise dormitory behind the Berlin Wall. Significant belief that arose: communication in a common language opens souls to each other, teaching another is infinitely valuable. 2) Puebla, Mexico Summer Program, 1983. Significant change in my philosophy: one foreign language is not enough. Two languages may be as dangerous in the long run as only one. Teachers must encourage their language students to continue with one while beginning another. 3) NFLRC Institute 2003. Influence on my philosophy of teaching and learning: professional growth only occurs when we challenge others in our field around us, it's not an individual 'sport.' We must also reveal our own flaws and weaknesses in a safe environment in order to begin to deal with them.
 * Chuck Thorpe:** (Man, this is a hard one. There have been so many things. Only three?)

Teresa Farrar: 1) Studying in Angers, France during the summer of 1988. I met French teachers/professors who were experts on advanced French grammar or genres of French lit., but they couldn't stop someone on the street and ask for directions to the train station. No kidding!!! 2) Having students tell me that they learn so much more than the language in my classroom. I try to teach and model kindness and always remember the bigger picture. 3) Running for the NECTFL board made me realize that I truly believe teachers need conferences to present the research, but then to give teachers the tools to transfer that research into best practices and activities/strategies that will really work in the classroom.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: 1. Working with my at-risk high school students and seeing them walk across the stage with a diploma and knowing I may have had a hand in their success. 2.) Being part of the Iowa High School Summit and getting the chance to become a leader with a voice rather than a cow in the herd that just follows the next cow's behind. 3.) I don't have to stand in front of the class to lead them to learning. Sparking them and letting the students create and learn and ask questions has been eye-opening and hard for me since I am a control freak. Letting go of the need to control students' creativity and wanting to learn in their own way and design their own projects (within reason) has brought me to my toes cheering... I would jump for joy, but may crack a hip.

Brandee Mau: 1) Oldenburg, Germany, 1995-1996.If you can speak another language than your own, you are able to participate in countless more opportunities. Also, just because a person is not eloquent, articulate or intelligent in one language does not mean that he or she is really so. Language learning has to be more than verb paradigms and grammar cases. You never feel as lost and lonely as you do when you understand little of your environment. Learning does not only happen withing four walls. 2) WILL (Western Initiative for Language Learning) 2003-present. You have to have professional dialogue with colleagues often. If you can't find someone in your own neck of the woods, branch out (ha ha). A little belief in someone's potential goes a long way to fulfilling that. 3) Master's project 2004-present. People/teachers/students always need a way out. No success can come from a person on the defensive and in a corner. Even when presented with hard evidence contrary to a beloved belief, some people will remain 'unconvinced' - you have to learn to work with that, around it, through it, etc.

4. One way that my thinking has changed over the course of my career so far is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** I used to believe in a kind of up-the-ladder model of language learning; now I am certain it's more like a winding staircase inside a inverted dome, and that it takes a very long time to advance higher despite quick initial gains.

Teresa Farrar:I used to think I had to get through certain points of grammar at certain levels. I have let go of the notion that I have to get through some magic number of chapters. For the students who are only taking two or three years of the language, one more verb conjugation or vocab. topic won't matter. They need to have a positive experience that will leave them open to further language study; they need to know HOW to learn another language. Most importantly, they need to learn that different isn't better or worse - just different, and that others have a right to be different. [Tolerance] The students who are continuing on to a third or fourth year of the language will get all the grammar, vocab, and practice they'll need.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: I use to think children who didn't learn were just lazy.. it was my one-sided delivery. Every child wants to learn... it is my job to find the twinkle in each child's eye within my content area.

Brandee Mau: ...that I will never 'make it' nor do I want to 'make it'. I will never be that teacher that can sit in the back of the room with a filing cabinet full of lesson plans dated 20 years prior, to whip them out, white out the date, and reuse. I thought that someday my epiphany would come and I would no longer need to revise, revisit and rethink. I am so glad that such a place doesn't exist for me. I guess if I ever find it, I had better move on.

5. The primary reason I wanted to attend this institute was . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** To 'plug into' the energy and creativity of others.

Teresa Farrar:To learn and engage my brain in the latest and best ideas out there in foreign langauge education. Of course, I need the technology update badly (my teenage sons remind me this daily).

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: To grow and to network with others who love education and the impact education can have

Brandee Mau: To be challenged, grow and learn. It is always about learning!

6. One of the ways that I think this institute will challenge me is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** The honest reflection that I'm sure Mongomery, Kendall, and Co. won't let us get away with not doing. :-)

Teresa Farrar: to inspire me and help me be a better teacher and leader.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: to be on top of my game

Brandee Mau: to not be overwhlemed

7. One of my biggest pet peeves in working with others is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** When other teachers insist on one true approach, method, or technique, as if almost brainwashed by some cult -- and then discount the viewpoints, experiences, and dedication of others.

Teresa Farrar: those who won't listen to others and collaborate

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: all or nothing attitudes without a middle ground always wanting to "one-up" everyone.

Brandee Mau: negativity

8. One thing that I hate to do when it comes to collaborating with others is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** Letting others struggle. It's hard for me to not jump in, even if I know that the struggling they're experiencing is part of the process.

Teresa Farrar: to be put on the spot. I hate to not be given a chance to think about the process and the product.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: knowing when enough is enough. I tend to want to over do. I am a glitter glue personality.

Brandee Mau: going at someone else's pace.

9. One thing that you should know about working with me is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** I like debate. I may challenge you to support your opinion, but not because I disagree.

Teresa Farrar: I like to have fun while I work, and I often process and think while talking with others.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: I am a workaholic with ADHD.

Brandee Mau: I like connecting with people.

10. I hope that you will be patient with . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** My sometimes slow-to-comprehend brain. I'll get there.

Teresa Farrar: Same as you guys - sometimes I don't get it at first. Also my inexperience with technology.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: I may need you to explain it again... I process and listen at the same time.. I sometimes get lost in thought and not get it all.

Brandee Mau: me!

11. When it comes to technology, I am not comfortable . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** With something entirely new. But if it fills a need, I'll keep at it.

Teresa Farrar: using technology for technology's sake. Sometimes it seems like simpler works just as well.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: I like technology, but not good at the webpage designing yet.

Brandee Mau: when I can't make it work. It should that 'when it comes ot technology, I get frustrated....'

12. What I would like to learn about technology is . ..

 * Chuck Thorpe:** How to recognize signs of too-heavy investment in it; how to concurrently think through low-tech solutions.

Teresa Farrar: what pieces really make sense in the classroom on a day-to-day basis.

Lisa Hagemeier-Lasseigne: web paging

Brandee Mau: seamless integration