By Meaghan Breen
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
LANGDON, NH April 25, 2023–Fall Mountain Regional High School’s French program has been nationally recognized for its exceptional curriculum, environment and student-taught lessons. The American Association of Teachers of French has deemed the program Exemplary with Distinction, an honor given to only ten high schools in the US. The program consists of French classes, a French club, and a French Honor Society.
French teacher and World Language Department Chair Madame Rebecca Fortgang oversees the program and has extensively developed it the last three years. “I think one of the real strengths of the French program as a whole is the sense of the community. We’re a team. When somebody doesn’t know the answer, other kids in the class will help.”
The program includes dual enrollment, student-taught lessons, cultural excursions, Advanced Placement classes for college credit, and contests. Field trips have included Quebec, the Keene International Festival, Cirque du Soleil, and Mardi Gras.
The award requirements are rigorous. Evidence of steady and increasing enrollment, letters of collaboration, outlined lesson plans, community service, national exams, and professional development are considered. The real achievement, however, lies in fostering an accepting and creative generation of students who develop cultural and life skills.
Fortgang’s passion for supporting students is reflected in her readiness to take on student proposed program ideas. Two students who have actively made suggestions are seniors Kaleb Houle-Lawrence and Grace St. Pierre. They have been integral to launching the AP classes and Honors Club.
“We’ve developed a little French family,” Houle-Lawrence said. “We connect on a deeper level because of our interest in the French language itself, but also the culture.”
The program provides life lessons. Students learn how to speak fluently with adults, therefore gaining confidence and receptiveness to learning from adult role models. They learn that the notion that something is either “right” or “wrong” can be fluid. She referred to an international example, where some countries recognize only five continents. “It’s ok to have different opinions…it’s important for them to see all these different perspectives,” Fortgang said of these variations of truth. “[It’s] teaching them tolerance.”
Houle-Lawrence addressed the group dynamic. “[It’s] not the most expected group of children you’d expect…all different social groups enjoying each other’s company…in the French room. It’s just a different vibe.”
St. Pierre, who is president of the French Honor Society, has embraced the autonomy Fortgang has provided. “I have historically been in the role of trying to be the leader, almost, and figure stuff out. One of the things you learn…you have to talk to people,” she said. “…the leadership skills will be invaluable to me.”
Both students were introspective, mature, and engaging. When asked what they called Fortgang, Houle-Lawrence joked, “Oh, it’s just Madame. One word. You know—like Cher.”
Houle-Lawrence will be attending Stanford and St. Pierre Stony Brook on Long Island, both for multiple majors, including education and French.
“They’re global citizens, and that’s the world we kind of have to prepare them for…everything is so interconnected,” Fortgang said.
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