I was a student who did not think she would go to college.  My parents always told me that I could “do whatever I chose.”  LOL.  I graduated high school in Longmont & decided that I would like to volunteer in other countries, maybe like the Peace Corps.  However, my parents changed their minds & told me I had to go to college at least for one year!  I went to CSU last minute & loved my college experience.  However, I had no idea what it was that I wanted to do.  I attended as an open major.  I finished CSU with a degree in English & a minor in French.  

I still had no idea what to do with my life so I decided to continue going to school.  I went to graduate school for my Master’s at UNI (University of Northern Iowa).  It was there that I changed from an international business student to languages.  I failed my statistics class.  LOL.  I decided to study TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages & French).  I finished with a double Master’s degree & no teaching license although I really liked teaching French at the college level.  I studied in France during my Master’s program & also had a wonderful French pen-pal during all of college.

So, after graduating, I taught French & ESL at community colleges around Colorado.  I taught 18 credits, no summers off, no insurance, I drove over 500 miles per week to my classes.  I was also a server at Chili’s to make ends meet.  I did not think this was durable.  So, I decided to apply to high schools.  I applied to & did not get a job at over 12 high schools in Colorado.  I was disappointed.

Then one day, I got an interview at this school called Conifer High School.  At this time, I lived in Longmont & so I drove to Conifer for my interview with Kathy Evan.  I got offered the job to my surprise!  However, since I didn’t have a teaching license, I had to teach at Conifer & get my alternative teaching license at the same time!  And so I did.  Back then, I taught French from a textbook, I learned simultaneously as the students and grew exponentially.  I also did exactly what my colleague, Ms. Evan told me to do in a classroom!  That year, I learned & grew a lot!  

Fast forward a decade or so & I broke my left leg on a hike on Mount Falcon.  I had 3 surgeries, I couldn’t walk for 10 months, I got a divorce & I left Conifer.  I call this my mid-life crisis.  LOL.  I went to several different schools to teach such as Summit Ridge MS, Arvada HS, Denver Public Schools and 3 different community colleges.  I also taught one year at a college in South Korea.  This is all to say that when I returned to Conifer in 2021, I was so very excited to be back.

Upon my return, I have a new appreciation for the students, the staff & the beautiful mountain community that has my heart.  I hope that you have enjoyed your summer break!  I had a great summer with my family.  I got re-married last summer so we celebrated our first year anniversary.  We spent much of the summer eating delicious food at home & out in restaurants!  We took a road trip to South Dakota to fish and to see Mount Rushmore!  Ethan, my youngest child will start driving soon so he needed experience.

My favorite hobby is still eating wonderful food!  I love to travel!  I spent 6 weeks in Morocco through the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in 2008.  I did a part of my Master’s degree in Angers, France.  I have traveled to Japan, China, Mexico, S. Korea, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Monaco, Italy, the Netherlands, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Morocco, Spain and many states in the United States including Hawaii!  I hope to be able to continue traveling with my family & my students again soon.

I have been to France more than 20 times and I have taken many groups of students to France.  In 2024, I went to Monaco & Italy as well as France with a group from Conifer.  Also for the past several years, Conifer HS French students competed at the UNC Foreign Language Day & won awards!

I am always available through email (jennifer.duffy@jeffco.k12.co.us) or voice message (303-982-0187) if you would like to communicate with me.  I prefer email but will always try and get back to you ASAP.  I love being here at Conifer High School.  I am really looking forward to teaching you French, cultures & opening your mind & attitude to diverse foods & cultures!  I am equally excited about learning from you!  I hope you will join me with enthusiasm on this wonderful journey we call life.

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Duffy