IMSA’s New German Teacher: Getting to Know Frau Dr. Gauld

At the start of second semester of the 2023-2024 academic school year, IMSA welcomed Frau Dr. Emily Gauld to the staff community as the new German teacher. We interviewed her to learn about her college and post-college life prior to her new journey at IMSA.

Growing Up and Life in College

 Frau Dr. Gauld grew up in north Georgia and had a passion for music and German. She pursued her interest in music at the University of Georgia. She described how her passion for German began taking over her education and realized that’s what she loved along with music. Frau Dr. Gauld earned her bachelor’s and master’s in music at the University of Georgia before earning her PhD in German Studies at the University of Michigan.

Post-College

After college, Frau Dr. Gauld spent two years in Germany on a scholarship to teach English. Her first year was spent in a small town where she had an immersive experience with German festivities while participating in a local band.

The second year Frau Dr. Gauld taught in Dortmund and was immersed in their city life and love for soccer.

Why IMSA?

Frau Dr. Gauld was in Michigan finishing her degree when her husband found work in Chicago. Having been pregnant and taking care of her children, she was on a break from teaching for a bit, but she was eager to get back to it. Frau Dr. Gauld was part of the adjunct faculty at the College of DuPage and when she came across the job as a German teacher at IMSA, she seized it.

Current Life

Now in Lombard, Illinois, Frau Dr. Gauld has a son and a daughter, both of whom are very young. Her family loves going to libraries, and zoos, and are currently looking forward to an aquarium trip. Her favorite thing is sitting on the porch and drinking tea in the early morning.

IMSA so Far

In the interview, Frau Dr. Gauld described how she was impressed by the unique IMSA community, but she was nervous about teaching high school students as she was used to teaching higher education. Since the start of the semester, Frau Dr. Gauld has observed that the culture of IMSA is very similar to that of college students, especially the level of freedom. She is excited to teach her engaged new students and described how the opportunities of IMSA make it a great place to work with collaborative students and faculty that overlap for a cohesive environment working towards the same goals.

We are thrilled to welcome Frau Dr. Gauld to the IMSA community!