Profile: Mrs. Stroud

Profile: Mrs. Stroud

Can you explain a little bit about the session you presented at the PSMLA?

I took a look at the different tech tools that we use in our language department. It can be something as easy as Kahoot or as long-ranged as a storyboard project. We use the technology to enhance the storytelling process, so it’s not just a google slideshow and it’s more engaging. I told Dr. Hyland that I thought as I was presenting that it would be a lot of information that people already know, but I quickly realized that we were more ahead of the game here than I thought.

How long have you been teaching French?

This is my eighth year at North Allegheny. I taught one year in Ohio and I taught at the University of Notre Dame for one year, so 10 total.

When did you know you wanted to teach French?

The first day I took French in eighth grade at Ingomar, I had Mrs. Will, and she is still around subbing for us. It was something that came very easily, whereas some other stuff did not, and I loved it.

What’s your best memory from your teaching career?

Everytime I am explaining something I know is kind of difficult, and sometimes it takes months to understand something like object and indirect object pronouns or past tenses. And all of a sudden, somebody who has been ripping their hair out for months gets it. And it’s the same  look on every single person, it’s the same look on their face where it all the gears start to work, and everytime that happens that is my best memory.

What is your favorite type of music?

I’m stuck in the 90’s. 90’s grunge, that’s all I listen to.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

I’d go back to Paris. I lived in Paris for 6 months and it was great. I would love to live there again and show my kids what it’s like to live there.