Vicki Potter doesn’t only teach French at Clarkston High School but immerses the students in the culture and experiences she has encountered.
She answered the phone a few weekends ago to hear the Michigan World Language Association president announcing news Potter was named Secondary Teacher of the Year.
‘It was a complete surprise,? Potter said. ‘I didn’t know I was nominated.?
After hearing the news she was also shocked and didn’t know how to respond.
‘I feel very honored and humbled,? Potter said after the news settled. ‘It was a nice I was nominated by some of my colleagues here at school ?
Her interest in the French language started when she was a freshman in high school.
‘It just sparked an interest in me,? she remembered. ‘I felt it was just something different and interesting. I had a good teacher who inspired me.?
She knew from the beginning she wanted to study French and decided in her first year of college she was going to be a teacher.
‘It was a good decision for me and I have never regretted it,? she said.
Adding to her love of French is her love of traveling, which she includes in her classroom telling the students about different cultures and about the people.
‘I love to bring the love of traveling, meeting new people, and new cultures into my classroom,? she said. ‘I think it has helped the students – they see me go out there and go to all these different places. They see ‘oh, I can do that.??
Potter is going into her 17th year at Clarkston High School and teaches all levels of French. She became chairperson for the language department in 1997 and was there as the department created new opportunities for the students.
When Potter began in 1993, Clarkston only offered Spanish and French to the students and has added German and Chinese to the selection through the years.
‘Our students have additional opportunities,? she added. ‘When I first began the students could only take language for four years. We now have a program that starts in eighth grade so students can have five years of language while they are here and that’s great.?
The newest for Clarkston is being an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, in which Potter serves as the district’s coordinator.
‘It’s exciting for the students,? she said.
Potter explained students opting to go into the IB program follow a two-year international curriculum in all of their classes – not just their language classes.
‘It’s a huge honor for us to offer this,? she said. ‘It gives our students a huge new offering and huge pathway for them to success.
‘It gives them a whole other opportunity. If they want to pursue anything in international education – they would be completely prepared for it.?
She pointed out colleges look at IB as top notch education and participating in the program can boost the students entry into the top colleges.
The department also offers oversea trips to the students as a chance to use their language skills.
‘It’s great they have the opportunity and the students love the trips,? she said. ‘It really is a chance for them to use what they learned in the classroom.?
She enjoys taking the students to Paris.
‘With students, you can’t not go to Paris. They have to experience Paris because it’s just a world-class city,? she said. ‘The south of France is lovely. The people there are very warm.?
France is one of her favorite places to visit, but isn’t the place she always goes to when she has a chance to travel.
‘I have traveled all around the world,? she said. ‘At last count I have been to 40 countries.?
She has traveled to every continent except Antartica.
She has visited New Zealand, Africa and Argentina – just to name a few.
‘I love New Zealand and have been there twice. There is just something about New Zealand that pulls me back,? she said. ‘I went on safari on Africa, which was different. I have enjoyed every place I have gone to. Some places I have been to I don’t need to go again.?
Potter resides in Lake Orion enjoys her spare time with bowling, being outside – hiking and walking.
Potter will be honored on October 16 during the annual MIWLA Awards Luncheon in Lansing.
She was also rewarded as Teacher of the Year by the Clarkston Foundation.