Frau Patterson has always been interested in teaching and education. Not only did she find inspiration from her grandmother who was a teacher, but she also found school to be her happy place. During the summer between her ninth and tenth grade years, she went on an exchange trip to Germany. Then, during her junior year of high school, she got a scholarship to go to Germany and spent her senior year living with a family in Germany. When she attended college, she majored in German and eventually got her Master’s degree in German as well.
She knew she wanted to use her language skills in her career, and since she was not interested in business, she decided to go into teaching. She found that German and education were a good fit for her.
Frau Patterson has taught levels 1, 2, and 3 of German at Vestavia Hills High School, though her favorite levels to teach are 2 and 3. She enjoys teaching these levels since the students already know a little bit of German. Though level 3 has been new to her, she finds it more interesting and fun because of the abstract topics the students learn. This year is currently her 7th year at Vestavia but her 29th year teaching in total. Throughout her career, Frau Patterson has not only been a German teacher to high school and elementary students, but has also been a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher. She has also taught reading for students who are taking English as a second language and even 7th grade math. Although she has had much experience teaching all different ages and subjects, she says that teaching German to high school students has been her favorite so far.
Frau Patterson is also the co-sponsor of German club alongside Frau Buder. The student officers plan all the activities, mainly focusing on cultural events. One of the more recent events that happened in Germany was Oktoberfest. The students in German club get information about different events and even do arts and crafts projects related to them. During German club last year, the club members got to learn dances.
Her favorite thing about her job is planning the lessons, especially for German 3. She loves the units that cover natural disasters and art because she believes that it is cool to learn about those things in another language. Frau Patterson also says that she loves to interact with the students. Throughout her career, Frau Patterson has always made students feel welcome and has treated them with respect and kindness.
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