Born: New Haven, Connecticut
Education:
MA in French, Middlebury College, Paris, France (1973)
MA in Teaching French, Brown University (1968)
BA in French, Connecticut College for Women (Now Connecticut College) (1966)
Coursework in Organ, Studied with Nadia Boulanger, Fontainebleau School of Fine Arts (now the American School of Fine Arts) (1965)
Certifications:
Certified Spanish Teacher, Secondary Level (7-12), State of Connecticut (1980-2012); Certified French Teacher, Secondary Level (7-12), State of Connecticut (1967-2012)
Career:
Retired, Accepted Teacher, New Advanced Placement French Audit (2011-2012)
Substitute Teacher, Spanish, New Canaan High School (2011-2012)
Substitute Teacher, Comparative Literature, New Canaan High School (2011-2012)
Substitute Teacher, French, New Canaan High School (2011-2012)
Independent Study Committee, New Canaan High School (2008-2011)
Independent Study Advisor, New Canaan High School (2007-2011)
Advanced Placement Teacher of French, New Canaan High School (1996-2011)
French Teacher, New Canaan High School (1970-2011)
Mentor to New Teacher, New Canaan High School (2009-2010)
Advanced Placement Review Committee, New Canaan High School (2006-2008)
Mentor to New Teacher, New Canaan High School (2005-2008)
Spanish Teacher, New Canaan High School (1979-2007)
Chair, Department of World Languages, New Canaan High School (2001-2006)
Independent Study Adviser, New Canaan High School (1990-2003)
Chair, Independent Study, New Canaan High School (1996-2001)
Advanced Placement Teacher of French Literature, New Canaan High School (1980-1996)
Mentor to New Teacher, New Canaan High School (1991-1993)
Adviser to International Club, New Canaan High School (1986-1987)
French Teacher, Foreign Language Elementary Schools Program, High Plains Elementary School, Orange, CT (1969-1970)
French Teacher, North Haven High School, Connecticut (1967-1969)
Career Related:
Teacher, Eighth Grade Day Orientation to High School Program (2011); Substitute Proctor, Connecticut Academic Performance Test, Saxe Middle School (2011); Substitute Teacher of Spanish, Saxe Middle School (2010); “The Comic Life,” Professional Workshop, Saxe Middle School (2010); Teacher, Eighth Grade Night, Saxe Middle School (2009-2010); Teacher, Advanced Placement Night (2008-2010); Teacher, Technology Night, New Canaan High School (2008); Chair, Review Curriculum Committee for World Languages, New Canaan High School (1999-2001); Review Curriculum Committee for World Languages, New Canaan Schools (1989-2001); Teacher Assessor, State of Connecticut (1989-1991); Connecticut Institute for Teaching and Learning (1988-1990); Summer School Teacher, New Canaan High School (1986); School Liaison, School Year Abroad Program, Phillips Academy at New Canaan High School, New Canaan, CT (1983-1985); Summer School Teacher, Saxe Middle School (1984); Fellow, National Endowment of the Humanities (1983); Chair, National French Contest for Connecticut (1980); High School Teacher Liaison, American Field Service (Now AFS-USA, Inc.), New Canaan High School, New Canaan, CT (1979-1981); Fellow, Higher Education Act, Brown University (1966-1967)
Civic:
Co-President, PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Reciprocity Chapter, Williamsburg, VA (2019-2020); Volunteer, Fellowship Committee, Hyde Park Union Church (2017-Present); Housing and Hunger Committee, Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (2015-Present); Volunteer, The Oriental Institute, University of Chicago (2014-Present); Volunteer Lay Reader, New Hyde Park Union Church (2014-Present); Secretary of Board, Hyde Park Transitional Housing Project, Transitional Housing (2016-2018); Volunteer, Workshop Committee, Hyde Park Union Church (2013-2016); Volunteer, Hyde Park/Kenwood Soup Kitchen (2012-2015); Member of Board, A Better Chance, New Canaan, CT (2001-2006); Connecticut Institute for Technology and Learning (1988-1990); Volunteer, Reading for the Blind, New Haven, CT (1969); Volunteer, Developmental Teacher, LEAP, New Haven, CT (1968)
Creative Works:
Contributor, Cultural Booklet, “French in Connecticut” (1970)
Achievements:
Taught AP French for 30 years. It took a lot of preparation. It was just wonderful to teach students who wanted to become proficient in the language or go into foreign service. They wanted to make it part of their career.
Awards:
Recipient, Pegasus Pride Award, Connecticut Organization of Language Teachers (Now Connecticut Council of Language Teachers) (2001); Recipient, Advanced Placement Teacher Recognition Award, New England College Board (1994); Grantee, Study in France with Middlebury College, French Government (1972-1973); Grantee, Study in France, New Haven Board of Education, CT (1968); Recipient, Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award; Honoree, Marquis Who’s Who Top Professional; Recipient, Marquis Who’s Who Humanitarian Award
Memberships:
Chairperson, Game Groups, University of Chicago Service League (2013-Present); President, Philanthropic Education Organization (Now P.E.O. Sisterhood), Chapter BQ, Williamsburg, VA (2016-2018); Chairperson, Dine Out Group, University of Chicago Service League (2014-2016); President, Philanthropic Education Organization (Now P.E.O. Sisterhood), Chapter B, Westport, CT (2011-2012); Chair, Star Scholarship Chairperson, Philanthropic Education Organization (Now P.E.O. Sisterhood), Westport Chapter B (2010-2011); Recording Secretary, Philanthropic Education Organization (Now P.E.O. Sisterhood), Chapter B, Westport, CT (2007-2009); Member, American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) (1971-2007); Member, Connecticut Organization of Language Teachers (1985-2005); Chairperson, International Peace Scholarship, Philanthropic Education Organization (Now P.E.O. Sisterhood), State of Connecticut (2002-2004); President, Philanthropic Education Organization (Now P.E.O. Sisterhood), Chapter B, Westport, CT (1999-2001)
Religion:
Protestant
Family:
Daughter of Frederick Taylor Fay and Ruth Jean (Lowery) Fay
Married: Robert Leon Despres (02/16/1974)
Children: Frederick Leon
Sister: June Fay-Waddington
Hobbies:
Music; Theater; Reading; Travel; Photography
Biography Sources:
Who’s Who in America – 2019, 72nd Edition (pub. 2019)
Who’s Who in America – 2018, 71st Edition (pub. 2018)
Who’s Who in America – 2016, 70th Edition (pub. 2016)
Who’s Who in America – 2015, 69th Edition (pub. 2014)
Who’s Who in America – 2014, 68th Edition (pub. 2013)
Who’s Who in America – 2013, 67th Edition (pub. 2012)
Who’s Who in America – 2012, 66th Edition (pub. 2011)
Who’s Who in America – 2011, 65th Edition (pub. 2010)
Who’s Who in America – 2010, 64th Edition (pub. 2009)
Who’s Who in America – 2009, 63rd Edition (pub. 2008)
Who’s Who in America – 2008, 62nd Edition (pub. 2007)
Who’s Who in American Education – 2007-2008, 8th Edition (pub. 2007)
Who’s Who in the East – 1986-1987, 21st Edition (pub. 1986)
Who’s Who in the World – 2016, 33rd Edition (pub. 2016)
Who’s Who in the World – 2015, 32nd Edition (pub. 2014)
Who’s Who in the World – 2014, 31st Edition (pub. 2013)
Who’s Who in the World – 2013, 30th Edition (pub. 2012)
Who’s Who in the World – 2012, 29th Edition (pub. 2011)
Who’s Who in the World – 2011, 28th Edition (pub. 2010)
Who’s Who in the World – 2010, 27th Edition (pub. 2009)
Who’s Who in the World – 2009, 26th Edition (pub. 2008)
Who’s Who of American Women – 2010-2011, 28th Edition (pub. 2010)
Who’s Who of American Women – 2008-2009, 27th Edition (pub. 2008)
Who’s Who of American Women – 2007, 26th Edition (pub. 2006)
Who’s Who of American Women – 2006-2007, 25th Edition (pub. 2005)
Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America – 1987-1988, 1st Edition (pub. 1987)