Sitting at her desk, she diligently grades the stack of quizzes in front of her. A couple of students, chatting loudly, enter the room, and she smiles at them.

“Your tests are in your respective folders,” she said, “and if you need anything, feel free to ask.” The students happily nod, grab their papers, and eagerly get to work.

Jennifer Giroir, pronounced “gerwah,” is a new teacher at Fort Worth Country Day.  She teaches A.P. United States History, as well as United States History. She hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she lived her entire childhood. She then attended Louisiana State University, where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education and History.

“I had a great time there,” Giroir said. “Everyone was so friendly, and the work was hard, but I learned so much there.” After graduating, she decided to put her newly learned skills to practice.

She applied for a teaching position at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas. She was accepted, and started teaching in 2008. That was her first time out of the state of Louisiana. “I like Texas, but I still don’t like the hot, arid weather,” she said, laughing.

After teaching at Nolan for eight years, Giroir heard a position for teaching AP and U.S. History was open at Fort Worth Country Day. She had heard from others that Country Day was a very academically intense school, and decided to apply to teach here.

“I was super nervous during my interview, but I guess I did okay, because I am teaching here now!” Giroir said. “I am very happy here at Country Day. Everyone is so friendly, and the environment is so professional. I find myself making relationships with other teachers and faculty, something unlikely at my previous school.”

Before Giroir started her teaching career, she disliked history. However, in her senior year of high school, as she was studying for a world history test, something clicked for her.

“I guess it was how two seemingly unrelated events in history were related to each other. I kind of wanted to pass on this knowledge, and hoped that my students also experience a “click” moment,” Giroir said. She also said how she wanted her students to succeed not only in APUSH, but also in high school and beyond.

“I know all of them will get into a college, and get good jobs after that. I can’t wait to see all they become.”