Not only does he teach French, but Sandy Creek High’s French teacher Stephane Allagnon has also been instrumental in bringing an understanding of France’s culture, customs and people to students at the school. France’s Minister of Education has noticed Allagnon’s efforts by awarding him “The Ordre des Palmes Academiques (Order of Academic Palms).
The Order of Academic Palms is an Order of Chivalry of France for those persons with outstanding devotion and accomplishment in the areas of teaching, scholarship and research. It was founded in 1808 when Napoleon Bonaparte, who appreciated the importance of education, inaugurated the title by decree. In 1955, the decree was raised to the level of a Ministerial order.
Recipients of this distinction receive an Award Diploma from the French Minister of Education and are entitled to wear the insignia of this order, a medal.
Allagnon will receive his Award Diploma and medal later this summer during an official ceremony at the French Consul General’s office in Atlanta.
Two years ago Allagnon helped Sandy Creek get selected for a pilot program offered through the Georgia Department of Education to bring the state’s French students in contact with their counterparts in France. Sandy Creek was one of seven schools statewide selected to participate. This year Allagnon arranged the first French student exchange program between Sandy Creek and its partner school in Laxou near Nancy, France. He is also president of the American Association of Teachers of French and serves as department chair at Sandy Creek.
