Madame Guiberteau

Madame Guiberteau is one of the most iconic teachers to ever grace the halls of Graland. For three decades, she was the face of the French language program at the school. She brought her French flair to a Denver that was somewhat lacking in cultural diversity at the time. Her students were mesmerized with her very French way of teaching.
Conducted in French, Translated by Amy Basey ’88 van den Dijssel

Madame Guiberteau is one of the most iconic teachers to ever grace the halls of Graland. For three decades, she was the face of the French language program at the school. She brought her French flair to a Denver that was somewhat lacking in cultural diversity at the time. Her students were mesmerized with her very French way of teaching.

Madame now lives and still teaches French in Arizona; using the language skills she first learned at Graland, Alumna Amy Basey ’88 van den Dijssel interviewed her in French about her time at the school. Amy says, “I was lucky enough to be in Madame Guiberteau's class in 1985-1986, one of her last years of teaching at Graland. She helped spark my lifelong love of the French language, which continued in college at Georgetown and in Geneva, Switzerland, where I lived for seven years. I still continue to work as a translator. I have always attributed my love of French to Graland's strong language program.”
 
What do you remember most about your time at Graland?
Madame: “I really loved my students at Graland.  They were smart and dedicated, with very few exceptions. I taught there for 30 years and I really loved it. I am still in contact with the school.”
 
How many classes did you teach and which grades?
Madame: At the beginning, I worked part-time. When Mr. Comfort became the Head of School, he hired me full time. I taught grades fourth through ninth. When more teachers were hired, I taught four classes the last few years. I retired from Graland in 1986, as my husband and I moved to Mexico for the winters. In the following years, I enjoyed coming back as a substitute teacher.
 
I remember being given albums of Chansons Français (French songs) the summer before I started at Graland. Do you remember teaching with songs?
Madame: I have always used songs in my teaching: "Sur le Pont d'Avignon, Ainsi Font, Font, Font, Les Petites Marionnettes"...etc. It helped my students when they were having trouble pronouncing certain sounds. I still use songs with my students. I have a class of advanced students every Wednesday who want to practice their French and I have another student every Saturday.
 
Did you ever travel to France with your Graland students?
Madame: I only went once with Mrs. Gorham, as my annual trips were always busy with family visits. I have fond memories of the trip. Ruth was a wonderful friend and teacher.
 
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Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.