Jenn Baker teaching French at RR schools

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Jenn Baker has joined the staffs of both Riverview Elementary School and RRHS this year as a French teacher.
At Riverview Baker is teaching grades 4-8 and at the high school she is teaching grade 9.
Baker has a degree in Science and Education. She is a specialist in special education and has principal’s qualifications.
She was teaching for the past six years in Geraldton, Ontario. While taking some courses with some people from other boards of education, including the Rainy River District School Board, she heard a great deal of positive things about RRDSB. Being ready for a change she and her partner Patrick Briere moved to Rainy River to accept the job she is in now. Patrick is a qualified Education Assistant and is looking for work. He has however joined the RR Fire Dept. and the couple are living in Rainy River.
Baker said they both love the region and decided they wanted to stay in the north and especially in a small community. “You get a greater sense of community (in a small town) and the school is a big part of that.”
She says they love Rainy River, it is beautiful and the location is great.
She is very excited about her school year noting that she is planning to teach the grade nine students some French cooking later in the semester. Another part of her job that she likes is a new program called Histoire en Action. It is a sign language program that features some very strong oral and action lessons. She says it helps reluctant students to embrace French. “You can really see a change in them.”
While she is happy teaching right now she sees herself in a leadership role some time in the future, noting that she has her name in the board’s leadership pool.
Outside of work she hopes to try curling this winter, as Patrick is an avid curler. She also likes horseback riding and reading.