Stockton-   When Mme. (Mrs.) Bowman steps into her classroom, it’s not just French vocabulary she’s teaching—it’s a way of seeing the world. With decades of experience and stamps in her passport from all over France and much of Germany, she brings global understanding straight to her students’ desks. “Traveling through France changed everything for me,” she says. “It shaped how I see language—not just as something to study, but as a living, breathing part of culture.”

One of the first things she tells her students is that no two French regions are alike. “I’ve taught across different regions of France, and I’ve noticed each area teaches the language a little differently—different accents, different customs, and even different values,” she explains. Her favorite region? “Provence,” she answers without hesitation. “It influenced my teaching philosophy the most. The pace of life there is slower, more thoughtful. I try to bring that calm, reflective energy into my classroom.”

She often shares cultural experiences from her travels to help lessons come alive. “I once brought in photos from a market in Lyon and had students try naming the fruits and vegetables in French,” she recalls. “They loved it—it felt real to them.” From regional music to recipes she’s cooked herself, Mme. Bowman believes learning works best when it’s tied to something meaningful. Mme. Bowman also explains how her travels have helped her create a more calming environment for her students, helping them feel safe and heard.

Her most memorable travel moment? “Visiting Mont Saint-Michel at sunrise,” she says, smiling. “I’ll never forget the way the light hit the abbey, and how quiet it was. It felt sacred.”

Of all her experiences, the thing that surprised her most about France was how deeply rooted local traditions were. “Even small towns take pride in their unique customs and dialects. It’s beautiful to see how language connects to identity.”

Of course, there were major differences between life in France and life in the U.S. “In France, meals are slower, more social. People take time to enjoy life. Here, everything feels more rushed,” she observes.

And while she’s explored famous sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, it was a more touristy experience that took her by surprise. “Taking a river cruise on the Seine in Paris—I thought it would be cliché, but it was actually breathtaking,” she admits.

Her favorite French dish? “Coq au vin,” she says immediately. “Rich, comforting, and full of history—just like the culture.”

As for her favorite landmark, it’s not the Eiffel Tower or Versailles. “There’s a little cathedral in Rouen with stained glass that looks like fire when the sun hits it just right. That’s my favorite.”

To her students, Mme. Bowman is more than a teacher—she’s a storyteller, a guide, and a bridge between cultures. “You don’t just learn a language with her,” says one student. “You experience it.”

And that’s exactly what she hopes to give them: a world beyond textbooks, shaped by the places she’s been and the people she’s met.