After two decades in the classroom, French teacher Paule Frenette is preparing to retire and close the door on her teaching career—one she never expected to have.
“I was a computer engineer for 13 years and I stayed home with my kids.” Frenette said. “I started getting more and more involved in their school and homework, and after two years, I decided to [get] my certification and become a French teacher.”
Her path to the classroom was unconventional, but it became deeply personal. Teaching French, for Frenette, wasn’t just about verb conjugations and vocabulary lists.
“I think it’s important because we are in a society where everyone has that chance to travel and learn new cultures and interact with them,” Frenette said. “Learning a new language such as French can be really helpful if you want to communicate in this part of the world.”
As she looks back into two full decades of teaching. Frenette shared some of her most favorite moments in the classroom.
“I have many favorite memories—good memories,” Frenette said. “Some of them would be at the end of the year when students tell me that they learned a lot during the year, and I really appreciate that.”
Though she’s leaving the classroom, her plans for the future include some of the same passions that animated her teaching: joy, movement, and connection.
“I will just rest, probably cook more, play music, dance and do some tutoring in the meantime when I retire,” Frenette said.
A few years ago, Frenette was diagnosed with cancer—an experience that shifted her outlook on both life and the classroom.
“I think the cancer reminded me that we never know where we will be tomorrow,” Frenette said. “So we really have to appreciate and enjoy what we are doing, and apply ourselves to make sure we have a good day.”
The diagnosis didn’t dampen her love of teaching; instead, it deepened her sense of purpose—a mindset she hopes to pass on to the next generation of teachers.
“[New teachers] should not be discouraged because there are bad days and some days that are harder,” Frenette said.”Most of the students are great and we need to keep helping those who want to learn.”
As she bids farewell to Rock Hill, Frenette leaves with gratitude and a promise to return now and then.
“I really enjoyed working here at Rock Hill in the World Language Department,” Frenette said. “I will miss all of them, but I will come back once in a while and say hi.”