Ambert Panwitz
Children's Class Instructor
A Licensed California Child Development Site Supervisor from the State of California Commission Teacher Credentialing.
Fluent in French (speaking, writing, reading).
Child Development Site Supervisor Permit San Diego.
Preschool English Teacher/Site Supervisor, San Diego French American School, San Diego, CA.
Provided dual language (French/English) instruction for pre-kindergarten students ages 2 up to 8 classrooms and provided English instruction to multiple grade levels.
Amber Panwitz
Intermediate and Advance Class (French Ripped from Headlines) Instructor
My name is Amber Panwitz and I am the instructor for the adult intermediate and the "French Ripped from Headlines" online classes.
Originally from a farm in Nebraska, I have a license in Sciences du Language with a specialization in Français, Langue Étrangère (FLE) from the Université de Rouen and a master’s degree in French Linguistics from Indiana University and am ABD specializing in Second Language Acquisition and Dialectology.
I have spent six years living, working, and studying in France, and I love being able to teach and share all the things I’ve learned about the culture that are strangely different or surprisingly similar. Eating and trying new foods are one of my favorite pastimes. So in my picture here, I am in the process of tasting some very stinky cheese at the farmers' market in Rouen.
Hopefully by the end of our time together, you too will be able to navigate those French markets to find your own super stinky cheese. I’m very excited to get to know all of you and to start our adventure learning the ins and outs of the French language and culture.
Dianne Cheseldine
Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Instructor
Dianne Cheseldine is Professor Emerita of Foreign Languages at Truckee Meadows Community College where she was a full-time faculty member for 29 years. She continues to teach a course at the college once a year.
Dianne completed high school near Lausanne, Switzerland and began her college studies at the American University of Paris while her parents were living in Ethiopia in the 1960s.
A lifelong learner, she continues to travel and connect with people around the world whenever possible.
Patricia (Patty) Tumenas
Children's Class Instructor
A Licensed California Child Development Site Supervisor from the State of California Commission Teacher Credentialing.
Fluent in French (speaking, writing, reading).
Child Development Site Supervisor Permit San Diego.
Preschool English Teacher/Site Supervisor, San Diego French American School, San Diego, CA.
Provided dual language (French/English) instruction for pre-kindergarten students ages 2 up to 8 classrooms and provided English instruction to multiple grade levels.
Samantha Renton
Administrator
Samantha (she/her) has been working behind the scenes for AF Reno for the past year—all the way from New York City!
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As a virtual assistant, she manages class scheduling, membership, and website updates for AF Reno. This year, she’s especially excited to help launch our new blog series!
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When she’s not typing away on her computer, Samantha is a professional actress who has performed Off-Broadway, in regional theaters, on national tours, and even spent two years in Japan performing at Tokyo Disney!
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