Language

, 1980
Lic., D.E.S., C.A.P.E.S. Sorbonne
M.A. State University of New York at Albany
Language Department Chair, Independence Foundation Instructor, French

Françoise Chadabe taught French at Emma Willard from 1969 to 1971, and returned to the school in 1980; she is currently chair of the language department. She earned a D.E.S. at the Sorbonne and an M.A. at the University at Albany. In addition to her teaching and administrative duties, Ms. Chadabe enjoys reading and traveling.

, 1972
B.A. Vassar College
M.A. State University of New York at Albany
Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Thomas Miller
Instructor in Language, Spanish

An instructor at Emma Willard since 1972, Marilyn D. Hunter holds the Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Thomas Miller Instructor in Foreign Languages chair. She earned an A.B. at Vassar College and an M.A. at the State University of New York at Albany. Ms. Hunter has advised Gargoyle and Mock Trial for several years. This year she will be working on Revels and May Day. She loves teaching languages, especially Italian and Spanish, and is also an enthusiast of music, golf, cooking, sewing, needlework, and bridge.

, 2007
B.A., M.A. National Cheng Gong University
Language

Ginger Lin received a B.A. and M.A. in Chinese literature from the National Cheng Gong University in Taiwan. While earning her degrees, she taught Mandarin and Chinese philosophy to foreign students at the National Cheng Gong University Chinese Language Center. After graduating, she taught Chinese literature classes at Kao Yuan University and Shu De University in Taiwan. Since coming to the U.S., she has worked as an interpreter in various upstate New York courts as well as teaching Chinese as a Second Language at the Chinese Community Center of the Capital District. Besides languages, Ginger’s interests include Buddhist and Taoist philosophy, literature, music, travel, sports.

Christopher A. Maharidge received a B.A. in classics and philosophy. He came to Emma Willard from La Cumbre Middle School, where he taught Latin. He has been a teaching assistant in the department of classics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, a substitute teacher in the Laguna Blanca Middle School, and a legislative correspondent in the office of Senator Mike DeWine.

, 1987
B.A. Russell Sage College
M.A. State University of New York at Albany
Spanish

Spanish instructor Diana Maleki came to Emma Willard in 1987. She holds a B.A. from Russell Sage College and an M.A. from the State University of New York at Albany.

, 2005
B.A. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo
M.A. School for International Training
Spanish

Efrain Pontaza received a B.A. in Foreign Language Teaching (FLT) from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo and an M.A. in teaching from the School for International Training. He most recently taught Spanish at Bellows Falls Union High School, the Community College of Vermont., and the School for International Training. Efrain has been an ESL teacher for immigrants and refugees at the International Language Institute in Northampton, Massachusetts.

, 1993
B.A., B.Ed. University of Western Ontario
M.A. University of Toronto
French

French instructor Sabra Sanwal holds a B.A. and B.Ed. from University of Western Ontario and an M.A. from University of Toronto. She has been at Emma Willard since 1993. During her tenure here, she took a year’s leave of absence when she had her daughter (1996), and took a sabbatical/leave of absence in 2002, which was spent living and studying in Paris, as well as traveling extensively in Europe. In the past, Ms. Sanwal was co-advisor to the speech and debate team, taught after-school P.E., and led a spring break trip to France. Currently, she is advisor to the junior class, co-advisor for The Clock, and co-sponsor for the opera club. In her free time, Ms. Sanwal enjoys learning new things from her daughter, reading, watching foreign movies, traveling, and cooking meals from places around the world. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to teach her wonderful students here at Emma Willard.