Angela Olivera, Journalist
19 March, 2024
Deborah Sue Pelletier is our very own, one and only, French teacher at Port Chester High School. In addition to teaching every period of French she takes the extra responsibility of teaching a level 1 Italian class. Ms. Pelletier is one of PCHS long standing teachers, teaching for an insurmountable 31 years.
She was born and raised in a small town in northern Albany, called Ballston Spa, where she spent the 70s and 80s; her adolescent years. She claims that her home town still is one of her favorite places on the planet.
Attending Ballston Spa High School, her favorite subject was surprisingly not French but math. Exclaiming that math was easier because it required specific steps to get to the correct answer unlike language that has many rules but can get messy trying to express an idea. She continues to explain how she was actually not quite good at the language when she was learning. However, she had an amazing opportunity to go on an annual trip that her high school hosted, to go to Paris, France. The defining moment that stuck to her for the rest of her life was when she saw her French teacher and a Persian lady communicating to each other. Pelltier was completely awestruck at what she was seeing, explaining, “To me it was akin to a magical power and I wanted that power.” This was a momentous experience that would completely alter the way she viewed language.
Pelletier explains that she never had a clear career path; she just studied what she wanted to learn. Furthermore, she was a part of a small town where there was more emphasis on working on dairy farms rather than pursuing education. Through little guidance she preserved and triumphed; she was the first in her family to go to university. With hard work she got accepted to SUNY Oswego. She applied to study abroad in Paris, where she attended L’Institut Catholique for one year. Graduating in 1998, she successfully achieved a Bachelor’s degree in French. Shortly after, she packed up her bags, traveling from a little town in upstate New York to a country that was still rather foreign, France. Through a French government run program she attended L’Université de Toulouse teaching English part time at a secondary school. Returning from France she received masters in French Literature from Stony Brook.
From there she first started teaching Italian in a little school in Long Island. Then, PCHS struck up an opportunity for Ms. Pelliter; looking to start a French Program, she got a position to start teaching French.
When asked how her stupendous 31 years have been at PCHS she responded with being fortunate she is able to teach many students similar to her background and when it comes to her work life she exclaimed she’s won the lotto. To expand more, Pelliter loves teaching; it is her passion. She states, “Teaching is just me. I love learning and transmitting knowledge and I hope to learn something in return.” Furthermore, when asked what she would do if teaching was not a possibility for a career path, what would she do instead. She said she could not imagine it any other way and there would be no other career path.
Outside of school Pelletier is a huge animal rights believer. She commits her life to decrease the amount of suffering in the world. She has spent decades dedicated to animal care and rescue of cats and dogs. She even spent her leisure time volunteering at Arthus Acres Pig Sanctuary.
Lastly, when asked what is one piece of advice she would give to students she responded, “Always do more than expected!’ Also, be sure to spay and neuter all pets!”
Deborah Pelletier continues to impact the lives of many students passionate about learning French. She is extremely fond of education, especially the IB Diploma, and advocates for her students to continue to yearn to expand their knowledge. Pelletier is an exceptional teacher who will continue to pave the way for many students in their foreign language journey.