John Layer is an experienced educator specializing in French language instruction, currently serving as a French Teacher at DePaul College Prep since August 2024. Prior to this role, John taught French at The Latin School of Chicago, covering multiple proficiency levels while replacing a teacher on leave. At St. Michael's Parish Day School, John held dual roles as an Art and French instructor and Lower School Director, overseeing K-4 management, student performance, and teacher development. John has also taught at various educational institutions, including Cambridge Public Schools and Tucson Unified School District, with a strong focus on proficiency-based curriculum and remote learning initiatives. With a comprehensive background in teaching and school administration, John possesses a unique blend of language instruction and leadership expertise, supported by degrees in French, Journalism, and Education, as well as a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School Online.
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The Frances Xavier Warde School
Twenty years ago, a dream born on the steps of Old St. Patrick's Church came into being an a very small way. That dream is now a reality. The Frances Xavier Warde students embrace learning as they develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world. For an elementary school, twenty years is not a very long time. The first class had only thirty-five students and this year we had 817! In this small amount of time, look what we have done: -Our students go on to the top high schools in the area. -One unique aspect of our program is that beginning in preschool, FXW students participate in service projects. High school teachers often remark that other-centeredness is a hallmark of an FXW alum. -Our scholarship foundation, Children at the Crossroads began as a commitment of the founders that all families regardless of their financial means would be welcomed into the school, supported by scholarships. To date, more than 3,000 student-years have been made possible by the generosity of our donors. -Our Catholic and multi-faith religion programs honor all faith traditions. This approach to religious education serves as a model in teaching true multicultural understanding. We will celebrate and honor the twentieth anniversary of The Frances Xavier Warde School in many ways, but is our students and teachers, our academic leaders and all our benefactors who are to be honored. It is the head of school, who insists that specialized testing and early reading support be available to all families, regardless of their ability to pay. It is the teachers, who helped middle schoolers craft an international service project, so our students walk away with a broader world view. It is the graduate who shook the hand of our new president as she walked across the stage at Annapolis this June. It is the members of our scholarship board, completely committed to making this fabulous education available to all, year after year, child after child
