Meet Jenna Bachman | L’École de Denver Preschool Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenna Bachman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenna, what role has risk played in your life or career?

I have never been one to take risks. “Play it safe”, I used to tell myself even when I had an opportunity to diverge from my path. When I was a high schooler, I got into a French program. Again, risk-free, I was learning a new rather common language, not even knowing how to put it to good use. Even my first trip abroad was your most common choice: Paris. Paris changed my life forever and taught me how to take risks, not be afraid and be yourself. I tore my ticket home and enrolled at Sorbonne. I was there to stay. I studied French day and night, immersing myself in the culture of history, fashion, and entrepreneurship.
Upon my return to Denver, I could have chosen a traditional path: go to college to get a degree in education. But Paris taught me differently. In 2019, was one of the founding teachers of a Denver-based French immersion preschool L’École de Denver. Just in a year, our school grew from just 10 kids to almost 30! My next risk was to start preparing for an exam to be a certified large pre- k director. I took this risk because I knew that this opportunity wouldn’t come around more than once. And I’m so glad that I did! Now I manage four staff members, but most importantly I run a unique program, where our little kids can be immersed in the French language and culture. These kids take risks and try to speak a foreign language so early on. I have formed special relationships with my students and families. I wouldn’t change it for anything unless it is worth the risk!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a lead teacher and the director of a French immersion school L’École de Denver. I was always interested in Early Childhood Education and the way little kids learn languages. I had to develop a special approach to teaching French to American kids, combining the best of two curricula.

My students learn to not just speak, read, and write in two languages, but also to think, feel, and act in ways that are informed by two cultures. To always see, explore, and understand the world around them from two perspectives is the gift of the deeply bi-literate student.

While being a director, it is still very important for me to teach. I am in the classroom every day. I am ready for summer, but not because we are taking a break. We are creating a summer program, where learning French continues. I collaborate with museums and local kid-friendly venues to make this summer unforgettable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am all about everything French! So the first place to take a visitor is my job! L’École de Denver is a small school designed for kids. We are located downtown, so I will probably invite my guests to walk to Larimer Square to enjoy tartare or creme brule at Bistro Vendome. My friends and students know how much I love bright jewelry. For me, the best place to give a little gift for myself is Aimee’s French Market. It really feels like you are visiting Provance.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When Angela Strange and Fritz Schultz started a unique Denver school, I had no hesitation to be a founding teacher of a French immersion school, L’École de Denver. Angela and Fritz inspired me to learn how to teach “the French way”, adding academic rigor to established American social-emotional learning methods.

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