Due to budget cuts, UC High’s only French teacher, Ms. Jessica Huntsberger, may not be given a teaching position at UC next year. As UC High’s only French teacher, her leave may have a significant impact on world language classes.

Huntsberger has been teaching at UC for three years and teaches French 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and AP French Language and Culture. She received a pink slip this past spring and explained that she will not know he fate until August most likely. Such lay-offs are a result of the budget cuts affecting many San Diego schools, and some students fear it will harm the quality of language education at UC.

According to Huntsberger, French courses will likely still be taught next year, even if she is not chosen for the job due to requirements to give teachers with more experience preference over newer ones. “Many other French teachers from around the school district were also laid off, and it is possible that someone with more teaching experience in the San Diego Unified School District would be given priority in the hiring process for the UCHS French teaching position,” she said.

Many French students agree that it is important to have this language available as an alternative to Spanish, the only other world language offered at UC. “I think it’s very crucial that the French program at UC stays […] mainly because it’s unfair for the people like me that actually want to learn the language and won’t be able to,” said Freshman Gabi D’Amico. Due to the A-G requirements, students would be forced to take Spanish in order to get their credits if French is not taught at the school.

“I have to take three years of a language, and if I switch to Spanish, I’d have to take Spanish for the next three years,” said Freshman Sara Facchiano. She added, “If students don’t like a language or don’t think they’re going to use it, they won’t pay attention and will end up failing the class.”

Huntsberger said, “French programs have been cut at middle schools around the district.  The elimination of the French program at Standley Middle School is particularly saddening, as its existence was a crucial factor in sustaining a strong program here at UC, and they have a phenomenal teacher who really prepares the students academically.”