Gerald B. Plotkin Married, two children
Semi-retirement career interests:
French instruction
Multi-lingual tour guide
Education:
B.A. Southern Illinois University, 1964
NDEA Fellowship, study at Université de Rennes (Brittany), France,
1966
M.A. University of Wisconsin, Madison (French Language and Literature) 1971
Advanced courses in biology/physiology, Northern Illinois University
Advanced Placement French language AP workshop 1991
Teaching certification in Spanish and in Biology, Northern Illinois University
North Carolina Substitute Teacher Licensure
Languages spoken:
English (first language)
French (4+ rating, near-native fluency)
Spanish (2+ high intermediate fluency)
Languages studied:
French, Spanish, Russian, German, Hebrew, Dioula, Mandarin Chinese
Significant Experience:
Parking & Transportation, Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC (2007-present)
Teacher of A.P. French, Carolina Day School, Asheville (2008-2009)
Tour Guide, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL (2002-2006)
Instructor of French, College of Lake County (IL), 2000-2005
Teacher of French, Loyola Academy, Wilmette, IL (maternity lv),
(2005-2006)
Teacher of French, Dept of Int'l Languages, Libertyville (IL) HS (2000-2001)
Teacher of French and Spanish, Geneva Community High School, Geneva,
IL (1964-1998)
Teacher of Biology, Geneva Community High School, Geneva, IL (1972-1975)
Peace Corps Volunteer (1976-78) Instructor of English, Teacher
Training College of Abidjan
Escort/Interpreter (French), Dept. of State, Washington, DC (1979-1986)
--- Thirty-day tours of the USA, 60% business, 40% tourism:
Visitor accompanied / Specialty
Tunisia / Director of Department of Energy
Tunisia / Professor of International Law, University of Tunis
Algeria / Cattle ranching, member of the opposition political
party
Burkina Faso / Specialist in population resettlement (Volta Valley
insect eradication project)
Zaire / Vicar General of Lubumbashi
Self-employment:
French and Spanish language instruction / tutoring
Occasional French Interpreter
International experience:
Travel, study, work in France
Scholastic exchanges (HS) - arranged 5 exchanges (La Rochelle,
Nancy, France)
Peace Corps (1976-78)
(Instructor of English, Teacher Training College of Abidjan, Côte
d'Ivoire, West Africa)
Studied/spoke Jula (français : dioula), a major
market language of West Africa)
Recipient, Out-of-state scholarship, U of W Madison (1970)
Recipient, Prix du Chapitre, Chicago N. IL AATF (1986)
Association memberships: AATF, NCAATF, FLANC,
IEA-NEA, Phi Delta Kappa International, Chicago Assoc. of Translators,
Sister Cities of Asheville
Volunteer work:
Organizer, Christmas Mitzvah Day (giving shelter volunteers Xmas day off), 2007, 2008.
Board Member Chicago/N IL chapter AATF 1987-1991, 2002-2005
Former member, Chicago International Visitor Center (hosting /
guide in Chicago)
Boy Scout Troop 8, Daniel Boone Council
English tutor for recent immigrants, International Link, Asheville
(present)
Public Radio Asheville, WCQS 88.1
Hobbies and interests:
Photography
Travel / Camping
Calligraphy (Italic lettering)
Computers (Mac & Windows; WP, DTP, DB)
email pappy5557 at mypacks dot net