Lesley Jorge teaches French in Upper School and Middle School, having joined the Morgan Park Academy faculty this fall after 13 years in a similar role at a K-12 school in Evanston.
She holds a B.A. in English and French from Butler University and a Master’s in curriculum and instructional design from Wichita State University.
Q&A
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
For me it’s all about the kids. I feel so lucky to have found a profession where I get to interact in an important and meaningful way with teenagers. I love being around these young ladies and gentlemen. Their passions, perspectives, and voices have so much to offer the world. Plus, they keep me young!
What motivated you to become a teacher?
My mom was a teacher. She spent 32 years working in CPS as a first-grade teacher and reading specialist. I would have never admitted it as a teenager, but seeing her influence on the lives of young people really had an impact on me. I know she is super proud of me for continuing her legacy.
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Outside of school, I am a mother to three amazing children. So they take up quite a bit of my time. But when I do get a some downtime, I love to practice yoga, work in my garden, read, and travel.
What do you want your students to take away from having known you?
Love. I know it sounds silly, but for me it is the truth. I want my students to love to learn. I want them to love French language and francophone cultures. I want them to feel loved and supported by me, as their teacher, so that they will try new things, be comfortable with themselves, and seek out opportunities to push themselves and grow as both students and people.
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