2009 graduate Lizzie Gremminger teaches English in Clermont-Ferrand, France

At 17 years old, 2009 graduate Lizzie Gremminger knew that she wanted to move to France for at least a year. After graduating from the University of Kansas in 2014, a college French professor of hers suggested the Teaching Assistant Program in France, which Gremminger is now working with as she teaches kindergarten through sixth grade in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Before choosing to live in France for two years, Gremminger found an au pairing program online, as she liked to babysit, called Au Pair Paris. She contacted that program, as well as the TAPIF program she currently works with.

“Being an au pair in Paris was unlike any job I have ever had. I lived with my host family in a beautiful part of Paris and worked 30 hours a week,” Gremminger said via email. “I would have to say the best parts of this job was spending time with the kids, getting to know other au pairs, and simply living in Paris.”

After being an au pair her first year living in France, Gremminger became a teacher in Clermont-Ferrand.

“I absolutely love teaching English in French schools. I love teaching all different levels and observing the differences between French and American schooling,” Gremminger said. “I think my favorite thing about this job is simply teaching, because there is nothing like it, especially teaching abroad. It is the best experience I’ve ever had abroad.”

With both her jobs in France, Gremminger has had a continuous goal.

“With au pairing and teaching, one of the main things I try and do with the kids is to share my culture with them. I teach them about [American] holidays, traditions, culture, food, weather,” Gremminger said. “I do this through fun activities, games, lessons, baking. I try and get as creative as possible to show kids what life is like in the USA.”

Gremminger said her time in high school continued to help her after graduation due to the fact that she participated in cheerleading, STUCO, NHS, ambassadors, madrigals, Friends of Rachel, HOBY, the musicals and plays as well as being a peer mediator.

“I think the most beneficial thing I got from my time at MVHS was from participating in multiple different organizations and clubs. Learning important lessons through holding leadership roles in high school greatly helped me when I went onto college and even now as a teacher and working abroad,” Gremminger said. “The people skills, organizational skills, and leadership skills that I learned while at Mill Valley have been the most helpful in my time since graduating.”

Almost seven years later, Gremminger still has good memories from her time at the school.

“My fondest memories were probably from Homecoming each year. I loved the spirit days, the different traditions held during Homecoming week, getting ready for the dance, cheering at the Homecoming game,” Gremminger said. “Homecoming is also very unique to American culture. I’ve realized living abroad how lucky American high school students are. High school is full of fun traditions, organizations, clubs, dances, so many things that many other countries don’t have.”

Gremminger said she has benefitted from her time living in France as it has allowed her to learn more about their way of life .

“I have learned so much while living in France,” Gremminger said. “When first moving to France, I experienced a bit of a culture shock because things are done very differently here. For example, France doesn’t have a customer service culture like we do in the USA. You have to be very patient when at restaurants, on the phone with someone from the visa office, when after six months of living here you’re still waiting for your social security card. It’s just different and I have learned to be patient.”

Communication arts teacher Kristen Crosbie, who knew Gremminger through her sister, Maggie Gremminger, said she enjoys staying in contact with students, such as Gremminger, who have graduated.

“I love watching what former students do with their lives,” Crosbie said. “I see them doing things that I didn’t realize I could do at [their age], and it makes me happy to see them having open minds about what life holds.”  

After she’s lived in France for two years, Gremminger plans to move to South Korea in September, where she will continue to teach English for another year.

“The most important thing I’ve learned abroad I’d have to say, is that the best things happen when you’re outside of your comfort zone,” Gremminger said. “It isn’t always easy, but always extremely rewarding. If I wouldn’t have dreamed so big, I wouldn’t be moving to South Korea, I wouldn’t have my dream job, traveling the world. This experience has definitely taught me that anything is possible.”