World Languages Instructional Supervisor and French teacher Anne Jensen has been awarded the Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms). The award, which was originally created by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte of France in 1808, is presented to those who have contributed in spreading the French language and culture.

“It was really a surprise,” Jensen said. “I just came home one day to find a certificate and letter in my mail.”

Award recipients are selected through nomination. For Jensen, the process began after retired Mountain View High School French teacher Hélène Chan wrote a letter of recommendation to the French Consul in San Francisco for Jensen. From there, the recommendation was sent to the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. Lastly, it traveled to Paris, France for a final approval.

“I had no idea that someone had recommended me for this award and had written a letter to the French Consul in San Francisco,” Jensen said. “One of my French teacher friends had asked me for my resume, but I didn’t know why.”

Jensen was one of 11 teachers in the United States who received the award this year. Recipients, who are immediately admitted into the Order, are presented with many duties as a result of the award.

“I need to continue with all the activities I do to promote French on the Gunn campus and throughout the community,” Jensen said. “I take this responsibility very seriously and hope to continue to make more people aware of the many cultures of the French-speaking world.”

To punctuate their duties, members of the Order also enjoy benefits from the award. “Just this past summer I was in Liège, Belgium, for a conference and attended a special banquet for recipients of the Palmes Académiques,” Jensen said. “Before I had been nominated for this award I didn’t know about these special banquets.”

Jean-François Questin, the attaché linguistique for the French Consulate, formally presented the award to Jensen on Oct. 18 at a champagne reception in Mitchell Park. According to Jensen, this event was perfect for bringing together people who love French as much as she does.

“Whether it be encouraging me to organize trips to France or supporting French [Advanced Placement] classes, [people who love French have] always been so supportive,” Jensen said. “These people are my soulmates, and this reception is a chance to bring them together so I can say merci.”