As a Stratford High School (SHS) student, Natalie French had a teacher who changed the direction of her life. Her yearbook adviser inspired her to major in journalism and pursue teaching.
Now, French is beginning her own teaching career in the district where that dream began.
“This is my first year in SBISD,” French said. “I graduated from Stratford and always dreamt of coming back to the district I loved so much.”
French teaches seventh grade language arts at Memorial Middle School (MMS), where she is putting what she learned in college into practice with the support of her colleagues. She credits school principal Ellen Green with giving her the opportunity to begin her career and helping her build confidence in the classroom.
“I am already learning and growing so much thanks to the kind and patient staff at MMS,” French said. “I work with the best seventh grade language arts team. They work so hard and make me better.”
French has also taken on an unexpected role: coaching volleyball. Though she played basketball in high school and had never coached before, she says the experience has helped her build relationships with students beyond the classroom.
Her own experience as a student shapes the teacher she hopes to become. French remains in touch with the yearbook adviser who invested in her and showed her the impact one educator can have.
For French, that cycle of encouragement is what makes returning to SBISD meaningful. Asked what she would tell someone considering a teaching career here, her answer is simple: “Do it! Teaching is such a gift. I laugh every day with my students.”
As she looks ahead, French is excited to keep growing alongside her students and colleagues.
“For me, what’s possible in SBISD is growth,” she said.