Thank you for taking a moment to learn about Cari Saint-Denis’ professional experience.
Cari is currently a teacher at Meadowdale High School in Washington State. Her areas of expertise are in world language, visual arts and teaching English as a second language. Her career started in 1989 with the Edmonds School District in Snohomish County, which is located in Washington State.
Cari and her husband have had the opportunity to lead nine different international travel trips with student groups all over Europe. Allowing the language and culture of other countries come alive to learners is very satisfying. Seeing the “light bulb” go on within individual students is magical. It becomes a place where travel to authentic places and the studied curriculum merge and make sense to the student. For more than 25 years she has seen this occur many times on various student trips to Europe.
Moreover, when former students are so impacted by their study of language and the incorporated international travel and have decided to also follow a path as an educator has been very satisfying.
Cari’s best educator tip:
“If your actions display that you are passionate about your subject area and your students sense that you truly care about them, they will respond in a positive manner! (This works even if the student does not care for the subject you are teaching.)”
Like many teachers, Cari balances being a teacher, a spouse and a mom. Born in Anaheim, in Orange County, she enjoyed living in California and spending time in Mexico fishing and camping with her family as a child.
Most of Cari’s life has been spent in Washington State where she earned her teaching degree at Seattle Pacific University. Cari later earned her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction through Lesley College of Massachusetts.
In her personal life, she is passionate about her family, her pets, collecting vintage items, Mediterranean cooking, travel, the art of 19th century bookbinding and saltwater fishing with her family.