It’s not surprising that many teachers go into the profession because of a former teacher who inspired them in some way. It is also not surprising that they teach a subject based on the success they personally experienced in that particular subject.
For Julia Royall, a French teacher at West Ashley High School, both reasons were true as to why she chose this career.
It was her experiences as an adolescent that made her want to teach high school-age students.
“I chose to become a teacher because of the profound influence my own teachers had on my life. During my adolescence, I struggled with low self-esteem and often made poor decisions as a result. Fortunately, I had several teachers whom I trusted, respected, and who provided consistent support when I needed it most. Because of their encouragement, my confidence grew, and my academic performance improved. I am a French teacher today largely because of my high school French teacher, who encouraged me to challenge myself by taking AP French. From that moment on, I fell in love with the language and had the confidence to continue,” she said.
She added that she relates well with teenagers because adolescence was a challenging time in her life, and she wanted to support students who might be experiencing similar struggles.
“What makes working with high school students so special, especially in a large, comprehensive school, is their diversity of interests, experiences, and perspectives. Their curiosity and individuality make teaching dynamic and engaging,” she said.
She also loves how the teachers and administrators work together to do what is best for the students at West Ashley High School, which is part of the Charleston County School District. “There is a strong commitment to continuous improvement. There is always something happening, and that sense of momentum and shared purpose makes WAHS a wonderful place to teach.”
Royall’s love for French stems from her time as a student at the College of Charleston. “My first college French professor recognized my strengths and encouraged me to advance levels and continue my studies. Soon after, I declared a major in French with a minor in secondary education after realizing the impact teaching could have on young people,” she said. “After my sophomore year, I earned a scholarship to study in France and spent the summer there with Dr. Attafi and a group of College of Charleston students.”
She took a year off to work as an au pair in Paris – which she she described as a life-changing experience – and when she graduated college in 2002, she was named an Outstanding French Major.
Probably the most memorable moment in her career was six years ago when she was invited to the wedding of two of her former students who had participated in a French exchange trip. Both students continued their French studies and invited their French teachers to attend their wedding in the South of France. “While witnessing two former students get married abroad was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, what made it most meaningful was seeing how their love of French continued to shape their lives,” she said.
Royall has been an educator for 22 years, with a career that started at Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC. She taught there for eight years, then returned to Charleston in 2010 and worked for a private school. She spent a year at Goose Creek High before coming to West Ashley High School, where she has been for the last five years.
Her advice to anyone wanting to pursue teaching: “Take it one day at a time. During college and your first years of teaching, you will learn an incredible amount and begin to see the many possibilities available to you and your students. Keep an open mind, ask questions, seek feedback, and learn from others. Most importantly, surround yourself with educators who love what they do. Those people will be your greatest source of inspiration and guidance.”
