Spoken by 320 million people across 29 countries, French is the national language for many people around the world, but for French teacher Dina Baalbaki, born in Senegal and raised in a French-speaking family, it’s much more than a means of communication: it’s her passion.

“I moved to the U.S. after marrying my ex-husband, and over the years, I worked various jobs, including becoming the top leasing agent for an apartment company,” Baalbaki said. “Since I wasn’t a U.S. citizen, I had to hire a lawyer to get a work permit, and eventually, I started substitute teaching, which led me to become a full-time teacher.”

It was her experience as a substitute that led her to a career change. 

“When I started substituting, students were curious about my background and would often ask me to say things in French,” Baalbaki said. “Their interest made me realize that I had a real opportunity to teach and share my love for their language.”

Despite the challenges of being the only French teacher at The Nest, Baalbaki finds fulfillment in guiding each student toward success.

“Being the only French teacher means there is a lot of responsibility in designing and maintaining a strong curriculum across all levels, as well as making every student successful and following their needs and desires,” Baalbaki said. 

Baalbaki adapts her teaching for beginners and challenges advanced students.

“For beginners, I focus more on building a strong foundation with basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills,” Baalbaki said. “For more advanced levels, I introduce more complex topics like literature, culture, and deeper grammar points, encouraging critical thinking and more expression.”

Spanish teacher Ashli Taquino emphasizes Baalbaki’s love for both French and her students.

“She loves what she’s teaching, and she loves the kids she’s teaching,” Taquino said. “She’s very passionate about sharing her knowledge of the French language and different cultures that speak French.”

Taquino said Baalbaki’s passion for teaching truly sets her apart as the best French teacher in the district.

“She’s pretty intense as a French teacher, but that stems from her passion, wanting to make sure the kids know as much about the language and the cultures as possible,” Taquino said. “She’s probably the best French teacher in the entire district.”

Riti Patel, a junior, values how Baalbaki blends real-life culture with academic success.

“She ties in new things that are more relevant to how actual French people speak and live,” Patel said. “She also enjoys the chance to help students discover their own love for French beyond the classroom.”

Patel emphasizes that Baalbaki’s innovative methods help all students understand difficult concepts.

“She really does not give up on the student if they don’t understand and she’ll keep trying different ways to help them understand, and she never stops until they succeed,” Patel said. “She prepares us well for the AP test by making learning fun and relevant.”