French position filled by native speaker

By Zoe Juanitas,
Bluedevilhub.com Staff–

After saying au revoir to Lili Floyd this past year, Davis High has welcomed a new French teacher in her place.

It’s Elisabeth Griffart-Meissner’s third week teaching first period French 3 and second period French 6, and according to her, it’s been great.

“It’s working well. I’m very impressed by the level of the students,” Griffart-Meissner said.

Griffart-Meissner has been in Davis for six years, teaching as a professor in UC Davis’ French and Italian department.

“She’s taught at college so she’s used to the high level of French that French 6 is trying to [teach],” senior Tina Simpson said.

Both her professional background and upbringing in northern France gives Griffart-Meissner a certain edge when it comes to teaching.

“It’s nice to have a teacher who speaks French fluently and is also passionate about the subject,” Simpson said. “She’s really talented.”

In class, Griffart-Meissner alternates between discussion, writing and analysis, while using a variety of methods to try to keep learning a language interesting.

“There’s still a bit of formal and dry things you have to learn like grammar, syntax and how things work, but I try to incorporate all those things into games and activities,” Griffart-Meissner said.

While it’s just the beginning for her, Griffart-Meissner is excited for what the future holds.

“I’m looking forward to getting my first experience at a high school, and for the ones in French 6, it’s going to be exciting seeing them go off to college and keep studying French,” Griffart-Meissner said.