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14 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2017 ask the expert a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: How is your program similar or different for various grade levels? Zach Santulli: My program is a continu- ous flow of learning from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. In every grade, we build on the concepts of the previous years. In fifth grade, you see a lot of the building blocks from all the previous grades. In the younger grades, you see simpler versions of concepts that are being demon- strated by the oldest students. Abi Ibarra: With my younger students, we focus on learning basic vocabu- lary units such as numbers, colors, family members and animals . For the older students, we work on presenting skits and take a more conversational approach to using the language. Overall, I want my students to associate learning French with having fun and making new and interesting discoveries about themselves and the world. Choosing the right school for our kids can be hard. This month, Zach Santulli, a Lower School music teacher at Fredericksburg Academy, and Abi Ibarra, a Lower School French teacher at Fredericksburg Academy, share why their school stands out. INTERVIEWED BY BRENDA SAPANGHILA Fredericksburg ACADEMY Q: How is Fredericksburg Academy different from other schools where you have taught? Zach Santulli: There are fewer restrictions to the ways that we can teach. Teachers can plan to their strengths and to the needs of our students. I also have the ability to know every stu- dent and their families. Abi Ibarra: I came to Fredericksburg Academy in 2009. I was thrilled to see an opening for an elementary French teach- ing position when I was doing my job search. Coming to Fredericksburg Academy felt like coming home in a lot of ways. I love the tight-knit community and having the freedom to develop my own curriculum. Q: Is class size important to your program? Zach Santulli: I think class size is important. Teachers want to adapt to their students' needs and learning styles. That's only possible if you can give your student the attention they need and deserve. Abi Ibarra: I believe that having small classes is pivotal to the success of my program because it enables each child to have more individual- ized attention and more opportunities to prac- tice speaking. Engage. Imagine. FA Summer Camps is a proud 2017 Family Favorite! Join us to keep your child engaged all summer! Visit www.fredericksburgacademy.org/ camps to learn more. Prekindergarten-Grade 12 • 540.898.0020 10800 Academy Drive Fredericksburg, VA Fredericksburg academy Lower School students become learners and thinkers. independent