Janel Toussaint, French teacher at district 624 of 24 years, sits proudly at her desk each morning with a cup of coffee and a grin as wide as the posters on her back wall. Every year she displays pictures of her graduating seniors on her back wall. “I teach tenth (grade) through senior year. The ones who have stuck with me through it all are one of my greatest accomplishments.” Next to her wall of seniors, are pictures of her family: another one of Toussaint’s greatest accomplishments. A charismatic teacher with 24+ years worth of accomplishments would seem to have it all, or so it is thought. Toussaint’s life started out pretty well. One of her “biggest regrets”, was taking spanish throughout high school. Fortunately for her, she was able …show more content…
“It’s really hard to not go down such bad paths when these kinds of things happen to somebody”. Toussaint managed to make a complete turnaround of her life, and keep it that way. “The things that inspire and motivate me the most are my kids and husband. If it wasn’t for Michel’s immense support and my own flesh and blood, well… I don’t know where I would be.” After years of addiction, Toussaint decided to go sober and start working out daily. “Over the past few years I’ve lost close to 100 pounds. I might be old, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been”. Of course, she can’t forget about her students. Being a teacher, she’s with her students more than her own family most days. “All their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. It reminds me that I’m continually doing something right.” Each day brings a new challenge that Janel Toussaint is ready to face with a smile and a song: whether it’s through family time, teaching her students, or singing at her local church choir, she is always prepared. She is unsure of when she plans to retire and what she plans to do after that. With such a big part of her life and support gone, she’ll have find to another hobby or job to take on. But for now, she starts her days at her desk, coffee in hand and smile upon her face, ready to