German program at James Clemens impresses national group

MADISON – How do you say ‘Job well done’ in German? Residents need the translation to congratulate students and their language teachers at James Clemens High School.

In a recent newsletter, the American Association of Teachers of German’s state chapter cited the German program at James Clemens for several highlights. The association is dedicated to teaching of the language, literature and culture of German-speaking countries.

The association commended James Clemens’ discussion with Auburn University about its dual degree, along with participation at University of North Alabama’s “Germany at Work and on Campus” event.

“Our World Languages programs continue to excel . . . Congratulations to James Clemens’ German teacher, Peggy Boynton, and all of our World Language teachers for leading our students toward successful futures,” Dr. Ed Nichols, Madison City Schools Superintendent, said in his “District Update.”

Along with teaching German 1-4 and Advanced-Placement, Boynton is Department Chair for James Clemens’ World Language Department. Boynton has taught at James Clemens since its opening in 2012.

Previously, Boynton taught German at Grissom High School; Latin, Newtown High School, Newtown, Conn.; German and Latin, Cathedral High School, Indianapolis, Ind.; German, Anderson High School, Cincinnati, Ohio; adjunct instructor, German, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio; and teaching assistant, German, University of Cincinnati.

James Clemens’ other language teachers are Brittany Bankston, Mary Crouch and Felisa Vess, Spanish; Katie Greene, French; and Allison Shratter, Latin.

James Clemens has collaborated with Auburn about its Concurrent Degree in German and Engineering, offering bachelor’s degrees in German and an engineering discipline concurrently. The student will receive two separate diplomas in two distinct fields. Faculties at Auburn and a partner German university will teach, as students gain real-world experience, intercultural competence and advanced German proficiency. (eng.auburn.edu/program/bachelor-engineering-german-dual-degree)

“UNA’s ‘Germany on Campus: Work, Study and Research Opportunities’ event in 2023 was an interactive browse fair where students had time to talk with leaders in German business, government and education,” Boynton said. “They also explored exhibits on German culture and history.”

Students met representatives from the German Embassy, Mercedes-Benz, AlabamaGermany Partnership and UNA professors and students.

In other pursuits, 11 James Clemens students in German earned awards on the 2024 National German Exam:

* Gold Medal (90th percentile) — Leandro Cogles-Guerrero, Lillian Haberlach and Nate Maehlmann.

* Silver Medal — Sabina Kurucz and Fiona Paine.

* Bronze Medal — Luke Pawlus.

* Achievement Award — Emily Nolan, Evrette Ragus, Aidan Wells, Caleb Wells and James Zesinger.

Oh, that translation . . . “Gut gemacht, James Clemens!”