Chatham Teacher's French Student Exchange Program Honored In France

CHATHAM, NJ — A longtime Chatham High School French exchange has earned its teacher an international honor in France.

French teacher Leslie Caulfield received the "Chevalier de l'Ordre de Lafayette" award from the Association France-États-Unis during a June 27 ceremony in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in southern France, according to a press release provided to Patch.

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The School District of the Chathams announced in April that Caulfield had been selected for the award, which recognizes her work strengthening connections between France and the United States.

"I was so honored to receive this award along with my colleague, M. Desbordes on a beautiful June day in Menton, France," Caulfield said.

Caulfield coordinates Chatham High School's French exchange with Emmanuel Desbordes, a teacher at St. Joseph's School in France. This spring marked the ninth annual Chatham High School-St. Joseph's Exchange, according to the district.

French students stayed with their Chatham hosts from April 13–20 as part of the one-to-one family stay program.

"The enduring friendships formed between Chatham and Lycee St. Joseph over the past thirteen years attest to the value of this long-standing program," Caulfield said.

Chatham High School Principal Doug Walker said the recognition reflects Caulfield's commitment to language learning and cultural exchange.

"We are incredibly proud of her and this well-deserved honor," Walker said.

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