Elisabeth Kahn teaches 5th, 7th, and 8th grade French and Spanish at Main Street Middle School (MSMS) in Montpelier, Vermont. A middle school teacher in her bones, Kahn also taught 5-8th French and Spanish at the Hamlin School in San Francisco, California, and at St. Paul’s School for Boys in Brooklandville, Maryland. Kahn holds a bachelor of arts in French and Spanish, and a master of arts in French, both from Middlebury College. Additionally, she developed and led student travel programs in Europe and Africa for Putney Student Travel. She is a 2020 candidate for National Board certification in French. Kahn works hard to get to know her students, aware of the power of relationships in reaching all learners. In recognition of these efforts, students at MSMS presented her with the Adult Citizenship Award in 2017. Kahn draws on her experiences studying and traveling abroad to promote cultural competence in her students. She brings the 8th grade class on an annual trip to Quebec to use their skills in an authentic setting. Kahn works relentlessly to improve the learning environment, both in her classroom and school-wide. She is a member of the MSMS Leadership Team and the Technology Committee, where she leads professional development and implements district-wide priorities. At Hamlin, she served as the chair of the Eco-Council that sought to promote sustainable practices and curriculum. She has been recognized with the Irene C. Abbe Award for Excellence in Teaching (2011), and the UVM Outstanding Teacher Award (2018).