The journey from lawyer to classroom teacher has brought Mary Ellen Gianturco success and respect in both fields. This teacher of French in Depew Schools is drawing praise for her education expertise after several years of legal practice.

Despite success with law firms in Buffalo and Washington, D.C., an almost genetic predisposition to public education brought her to the classroom. Gianturco is one of several family members in NYSUT and public education. Her father is retired from the Buffalo schools, her mother taught in the Wilson schools, her sister currently teaches in Buffalo and her brother is an instructor at Empire State College.

Since 1999, she has been an important contributor to the success of the foreign language program in the Buffalo suburb of Depew.

"Foreign language opens the world to all kids," Gianturco said. "It teaches diversity and tolerance of other cultures. It's also a form of mental gymnastics that converts into important skills that students use in other courses."

She uses music, art and popular culture to immerse her students in their French studies. They have sung the Canadian national anthem — in French — at Buffalo Sabres games. They have visited the home arena of the Montreal Canadiens to sample food, language and the atmosphere.

Students may tour a French art exhibit at Buffalo's Albright-Knox Museum or visit nearby Fort Niagara for an interactive exhibit on the French.

One of her students won a scholarship to study in Buffalo's sister city, Lille, France. Others have studied in Quebec, as Gianturco did. She has worked with colleagues to bring French to seventh-graders in Depew schools.

Her department has been recognized as a "distinguished foreign language program." Gianturco also found time last year to serve as vice president of her local union, the Depew Teachers Organization, led by Kathleen Ward.

In June, members of her local honored her as educator of the year, praising "her enthusiasm for teaching, genuine love of her subject and her desire to share French culture with her students."

- Bernie Mulligan