This fall , Dana Hall Upper School introduced an entirely new French department, welcoming Mme. Sarah Taylor and Mme. Carla de Aguilar-Amat. Both of the educators have numerous teaching experiences across the world. Mme. Taylor grew up in the United Kingdom and teaches French II, IV, V, V Honors, and Advanced Placement Language.Mme. Aguilar-Amat is from Spain and teaches French I, III, and III honors.
Last year during Ms. Alicia Furgeuson’s first year as the World Language Department head, she took on the role of hiring a new French department for the upper school. She states, “I loved Carla because she was multilingual and had many experiences teaching different languages. I also looked for dynamic teachers with a variety of teaching tools; that’s why Sarah stood out. For example, she uses dance! That makes me want to be there learning.”
Mme. de Aguilar-Amat has taught in the United States for six years and taught Spanish for three years in the American national school in Jerusalem . She has taught Spanish, Italian, French, English, and Catalan.
Mme. de Aguilar-Amat previously worked at Dexter Southfield teaching middle school Spanish and French. She states, “I am grateful for my time at Dexter, but my priorities have changed. I am looking for a different challenge, such as teaching high school instead of middle school. I am also excited to teach all girls.”
Mme. Taylor has been teaching for a total of 17 years. She taught English in France for business and taught private English lessons in France. Mme. Taylor was the assistant head of a French high school in New York City. Mme. Taylor comments, “Being in charge of French Development was fun! Especially being with French people in New York City.” Mme. Taylor then moved to Charleston and became a French teacher at College of Charleston. She then moved north and worked at an all girls school in Massachusetts and now works at Dana Hall.
Mme. Taylor studied French abroad in Paris, and then studied at the University of London institute in Paris. After coming to the States and teaching English, she also got her masters degree in musical performance and is currently a professional choir instructor and singer.
Mme. de Aguilar-Amat studied philology which is the study of languages through literature. She studied this in Barcelona, and studied abroad in Italy and France to get the degree. Mme. de Aguilar-Amat never entirely planned on becoming a teacher; however she states, “I really liked languages and it just happened. My passion for languages led me to want to share it with others.” Mme. de Aguilar-Amat believes that teachers, specifically language teachers should always keep educating themselves and growing. Here she expresses, “Advice for a new teacher is to find your own style and voice. Never stop learning and don’t aim for perfectionism.”
Reese McNally ‘27 notes that, “Mme. de Aguilar-Amat emphasizes the importance of speaking through presentations, not just grammar and quizzes. This year I have learned an incredible amount and my speaking has improved already.”
Mme. Taylor separates her musical performance teaching and language teaching, but still emphasizes the importance of speaking and pronunciation: “I hate just writing, a lot of my teaching is based on speaking, speaking is very important.”
Sarah Eppinger 27’ states, “Mme. Taylor really roots for her students. I can tell she wants me to succeed by the way she encourages me and facilitates a positive environment in the classroom.”
Although Mme. Taylor and Mme. de Aguilar-Amat have only been at Dana Hall for a short time, they have expressed appreciation for working with each other and their students. Mme. de Aguilar-Amat expressed “I’m very happy to be teaching French, getting to know students, and working with Mme. Taylor. I am really enjoying teaching at a high school level.” Mme. Taylor also emphasizes the appreciation for an all girls community: “I’ve enjoyed teaching at all girls high schools. Showing what girls can do is important.”