Bonjour, Mme. Rencker!

Name: Doriane Rencker

Department/Job: French teacher

Previous job(s): I was a French and English (ELA) teacher in a public high school in Bradenton, FL for 16 years. I’ve also taught Irish set dancing and French folk dancing. My first job in America was as an au pair.

Something about Brearley that appealed to you: Its excellence and the freedom it offers students to pursue their interests.

Favorite food (sweet, savory, etc.): Confit de canard and mirabelle plums (not together, although I'm sure it would be good; neither of which I can find for a decent price here); French country food (anything involving potatoes and melted cheese (cancoillotte, reblochon, raclette, etc.); chocolate; Japanese food. I like sweet, salty, and umami. I can't eat anything spicy or peppery.

Coffee or tea (or neither): Irish tea in the morning; Japanese green teas with sweets in the afternoon; a mocha or a hot chocolate as a treat.

Favorite music/band: I like a lot of very different stuff. I like 90s Britpop; American rock; French music, etc.  I also like ambient, indie, traditional, and classical music. It just depends on what kind of mood I'm in.

Favorite thing about working in New York: So many things to do/places to see (neighborhoods, street art, monuments, parks, museums, concerts, comedy, etc.)

Hobbies: In Florida, I like to go to the beach, kayak/paddleboard and look at wildlife. In NYC, I like to walk around and pop into a gallery or art museum, and look at a different kind of wildlife too. I like general trivia/ music trivia night but I’m not great at it. I play (with) the ukulele, I’d like to get better at it. I also like watching movies and doing photography. I love to travel.

Fun fact(s) about you: I once visited 12 national parks and drove through 30 states in one summer. More recently, I have aged ten years in just one month looking for and moving into an apartment in New York!