Background
A Binghamton University alumna, Elizabeth Clarke earned her BA in French Language and Literature and began her career at Binghamton while obtaining her Master of Arts degree in Teaching French. Throughout her undergraduate years, Clarke had a variety of teaching experiences that helped shape her unique pedagogical style. She interned in English as a New Language for Binghamton city schools, taught high school French and Spanish through the University's Upward Bound Program, taught elementary Spanish to kindergarteners at the campus preschool, and was a teaching assistant in French 211. Over the years, she has also benefited linguistically and culturally from many trips to northern and southern France.
Before her return to Binghamton University in 2016, Clarke was the lead French teacher at two local high schools, teaching all levels of French, including the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Most recently, over the course of several semesters, Clarke has taught levels 111, 113, 115, 211 and 215 and has designed and taught a new course: Mastering the Art of French Cooking (HARP 280S).
Clarke’s communicative approach to language teaching is intimately related to her goal of building a safe and accepting classroom community — one in which students’ inspiration for learning French is directly tied to the essential human need for belonging and connection.
Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching: French Education, Binghamton University (2002)
- Bachelor of Arts: French Language and Literature, Binghamton University (2000)
Teaching Interests
- FREN 113 (Accelerated Elementary French)
- FREN 211 (Intermediate Level 1)
- FREN 215 (Intermediate Level 2)
- HARP 280S: Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Awards
- 2023 Harpur College Teaching Award, Harpur Edge Honorable Mention
- 2020 Harpur College Teaching Award, Harpur Edge Honorable Mention
- 2010 Cornell University Merrill Presidential Scholars STAR Teacher Award
