“The one teacher who really marked me for various reasons is definitely Christiane Constantin. She was teaching French from Form I to Form III at Loreto Convent Port-Louis. But she was also giving me dancing lessons. In those days she was not married and her name was Christiane Ducasse.”

Whenever I talk or think about her, there is something that she said to us that immediately comes to my mind: “You must not settle for mediocrity!” This phrase means a lot to me. When I look at it carefully, I realise how significant it is. First of all, it means that we should know our limits and our capacities. Also, it is a way of saying that we should believe in ourselves. Then, we should know how to rely on the qualities we already have. But in the meantime we should actually excel these same qualities.

<I>“Christiane Constantin was not a severe teacher. Actually she was very approachable. I could easily have a conversation with her. If we had done something wrong she would use a gentle approach to tell us that what we had done was wrong”.</I>

Christiane Constantin was not a severe teacher. Actually, she was very approachable. As far as I can remember I could easily have a conversation with her. If we had done something wrong she would use a gentle approach to tell us that what we had done was wrong. On the other hand, she had a very deep and powerful voice! Despite the strong character she was, we always felt she had a lot of love to give.

She was my teacher not only in school, but also outside as she was teaching me how to dance ballet. We paid Rs 3 per month. She loved dancing and she was a tremendous dancer. I remember that I was so keen on dancing, that I got together three or four of my friends to go and take tuition with her. I believe that this was how we really became closer. In fact, to be honest, I was far from being the most brilliant student of the class, although I was very diligent indeed! However, despite all these factors I loved her and I had the feeling of being loved too!

One of my other memories of Christiane Constantin concerns a text from Alphonse Daudet. This text talked about the seasons, including spring and autumn. The way she read the text was incredible. Once again, at that time, we did not really know what spring and autumn looked like as there are no such seasons in this country. We simply admired the way she was reading as she knew how to make us dive into this world she was telling us about.

My perception of a good teacher is someone who knows how to inspire the student. Christiane Constantin knew how to do that. But more importantly, she knew how to make a child feel confident and important irrespective of her profile.

Today when I recall this time, I have very good memories of her! I am very grateful to her for the good times I spent in her class and especially during her dancing lessons. I just hope that she understands how all the things she taught me have influenced me!”