Ms. Laquidara was raised in Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in French Language & Culture with two minors in both Spanish and Translation, and a Certificate in Translation and Interpretation from Florida International University. She took part in an immersion program in Angers, France, in 2015 and briefly lived in Paris. She loved being a part of clubs and honor societies and graduated with ties to Pi Delta Phi, Sigma Delta Pi, National Residence Hall Honorary, and her personal favorite, Le Cercle Français. In 2017, she began her graduate studies at Florida Atlantic University. She was awarded a teaching fellowship and taught first and second year French to undergraduate students at the University. She graduated with a master’s degree in Language, Linguistics & Comparative Literature with a focus on Teaching French in 2019.

Ms. Laquidara first joined BASIS Independent Schools as a Subject Expert French Teacher at Fremont Upper School. She has taught and tutored students of various ages in French and English. She is passionate about teaching students and making an impact on their lives. Her ultimate objective is to help children find their passion and joy in learning a new language. She believes that learning how to communicate and understand different cultures is the key to making meaningful connections with others. Ms. Laquidara is proud to be a founding member of BASIS Independent Dublin.

In her free time, Ms. Laquidara likes to explore the various areas of the Bay Area. She loves hiking, going on long walks with her dog, composing music, and volunteering as a Teacher’s Aide for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Are there any highlights you’d like to share about your teaching philosophy or approach?  

I use the Communicative Language Teaching approach and focus on facilitating students’ interactions with each other in the classroom. I also encourage students to be leaders in the class by taking ownership of their own learning. Learning through communication is one of the most effective ways of learning a language. Students in my classroom can often be found practicing French orally with each other and practicing French for real life experiences.  

What are some of the most rewarding parts of being a Subject Expert Teacher and working with BASIS Independent Schools students?   

Being a Subject Expert Teacher at BASIS Independent Schools allows me to create my own techniques and use my own materials to help students learn. I have more freedom in the classroom and ability to help students gain their knowledge in a fun and communicative way. I love working with the students in a way that I know they will have more opportunities to retain information and enjoy learning in the process. Having more autonomy in the classroom is rewarding for not only myself, but the students, too!  

Are there any thoughts that you’d like to share with families who are joining – or who are thinking of joining – the BASIS Independent Dublin community?  

I am so excited to become a founding staff member and look forward to our wonderful students and families joining our BASIS Independent Dublin community. I truly look forward to working with everyone and being a part of the growth of this school and community. I am committed to making sure our school is supportive and helps each student find their talents and bridge any gaps in their learning. I want to create an environment where students feel that BASIS Independent Dublin is an extension of their family and they can feel comfortable expressing themselves.  

BASIS Independent Dublin is a Grades 6 – 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the BASIS Independent Dublin community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.