Grandparent Profile: Christina Norman

My name is Christina Norman and I am the very proud grandmother of Felicity S., class of 2022. I joined the Grandparents’ Council in order to enjoy volunteer opportunities and to catch glimpses of Felicity’s school life.
 
I was born in Stockholm, Sweden. I started learning English in grade 5 and German in grade 7. In High School we could choose one of three branches of study. Those, like me, who enjoyed foreign languages and a more classical education, chose the Latin branch, where French and Latin were added. In grade eleven I added Spanish. Some fellow students chose Greek. I went on to study English, German and French at Stockholm University and ultimately became a teacher.

During the summers from the age of 15, I participated in language courses in England and Germany and while in England as a 17-year-old, I met my future husband in his hometown in southern England. Geoffrey had two more years to complete his degree at Cambridge University and I had one more year of High School plus three more years at Stockholm University before we got married in 1968. We decided to emigrate to the United States and it took us six months to get a green card even though Geoffrey had secured a job offer.

At first I worked in a bank for a year, but I realized that I really wanted to teach. I spent my entire career teaching languages and retired three weeks before our first grandchild was born. Wherever we moved, I was asked to teach a different language.

In upstate New York I taught German and French. Shortly after Felicity’s mother, Catarina, was born, my husband was offered a job in Bilbao in northern Spain. We spent four wonderful years in the Basque country and our second daughter, Camilla, was born there after our first year. I taught English at a Spanish girls’ school and I still see some of those students. Our years in Spain were very interesting as Franco was still alive when we arrived and following his death in 1975 we witnessed dramatic changes as Spain struggled to form a democracy. After 40 years of not being able to use their language, many Basque people wanted their culture to be respected and quite a few of them wanted independence. There were some uncomfortable moments as people were finally able to demonstrate their true political beliefs.

We moved back to Connecticut in 1978 where I taught French and Spanish. I later started a German program in the High School in New Canaan.

I feel I was born to be a teacher. I loved every moment and had a hard time retiring, but I knew I wanted to be around our grandchildren as much as possible. I remain close to many of my students, which is an added bonus. I just went back to New Canaan to participate in the 20th reunion of the class of -98, which I served as class advisor. Such joy to be with them again!

Our two daughters, their husbands and our four grandchildren are all in San Francisco, so Geoffrey and I spent a lot of time visiting them and we finally moved here almost four years ago and we are so happy that we made this move. Spending time at Burke’s and at Town School, which our three grandsons attend, gives us such pleasure, especially Grandparents’ Day, where we get to spend time in their classrooms. Their art shows are extraordinary. We also enjoy the musical performances.

I am very impressed by the staff at Burke’s. They empower and challenge our girls to become the best possible version of themselves. When I serve lunch to the girls and look around the room and I see happy girls in lively conversations and no one is left out. In the classroom they are all engaged and energized. Seeing students comfortably lead the assemblies shows the confidence that they possess.

I feel very lucky that our grandchildren are receiving such an excellent education, which will enhance their chances of choosing what is right for them in the future.

Thanks to the Grandparents’ Council I have plenty of opportunities to "come to school," which has always been "my happy place."
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