Claudine Saunders

According to Benjamin Franklin and I quote ‘An investment in education or knowledge pays the best interest’. I am a firm believer in this quote therefore, I have decided that pursuing further studies would allow me this opportunity. I also believe that everyday one must strive to improve by learning new things. As Albert Einstein frankly stated and I quote’ Once you stop learning you start dying’. Consequently, my reason for wanting to pursue teaching at your prestigious institution.

Hi, my name is Claudine Saunders. I am 47 years old. I graduated High School in 1991. I started the A level Sixth form, where I completed only one year of the two year requirement because of the sudden death of one of my lecturers . After the passing of my French Professor Mr.Warner, I did not want to complete my A levels, so subsequently I moved to the US. It was here I decided with the encouragement of my dad to pursue further studies, so I enrolled at a community college.

My first undergraduate level started at Norwalk Community College, Connecticut. I graduated in May 1995 with an Assossciates of Arts degree Liberal Arts-Humanities option. Shortly after graduation, I transferred to Florida Memorial College, now University, in Florida. Upon my arrival there I was disheartened to discover that the course of study I wanted to pursue was not offered. That being French. I argued with the administrators and told them that the brochure was misleading, since the only Modern Foreign language being offered there was English and their brochures needed to stipulate that in detail. Having left Connecticut and accrued other expenses my St.Lucian friend and I decided to stay. My next best option of study was Psychology. After having completed an intro to Psychology class at my Associates level and finding the content area fascinating I wanted to continue learning more. As my pursuit for knowledge continued I grew fond of my new area of study. However, deep within I knew I still wanted to incorporate some aspect of French. After completing my Bachelors degree in July 1997 and graduating top of my class I was torn between whether I wanted to continue my studies or take a break. In August of 1997, I returned to my island in the sun St.Kitts and Nevis. I was later approached by one of my former language teachers who indicated that my former high school,Basseterre High School, was looking for a French teacher for the new academic year. I applied to the Ministry of Education and the rest is history. Of my 25 years of teaching 20 was spent at Basseterre High School.

I felt like the way I can make the most difference in the acquisition of the French language field is to become a teacher. Additionally, in 2001I created a French Publication called “Facile à Dire”. Easy to Say. It is a simple French pronunciation guide which was created to facilitate easy pronunciation of French words. In August 2021, I came to another crossroad in my life, when I lost my mom on the 5th of August, buried her on the 17th August and then 23rd would mark the first day of graduate studies at Western Illinois. I was not motivated and felt really low, I was originally signed up for three classes then I eventually dropped to one. If I decided to mourn in silence and not mention to family members what I had decided to do, not take any classes again, I would have been perhaps two classes behind. Presently, I have completed 6 classes to date and have maintained a 4.0 GPA. I have five remaining classes of which I have enrolled in two classes for Spring 2023. Any financial assistance that would be afforded to me at this time would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to a favorable response. Merci beaucoup! Thanks Much!

Claudine Saunders
Graduate Student
Educational Studies-Language and Culture