Teachers are some of our earliest influencers. They are there to guide us and help us. Teachers continuously remind us to always try our best, and help us grow into who we are destined to be. They inspire us to reach our full potential, to aim high, and constantly remind us that the sky’s the limit.
It is important to recognise the teachers who have left an everlasting mark on our hearts, so they know they are appreciated continue making a difference in their students’ lives.
Do you know of a deserving educator, an outstanding teacher or fellow colleague? The Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia Educator of the Year Award acknowledges excellence in French Second Language (FSL) teaching and rewards teachers’ initiative and innovation. CPF Nova Scotia seeks to recognise those who motivate students to achieve their best and who contribute significantly to their school and community.
Eligibility: Nominees must teach French Second Language courses (Primary through to Gr 12) in Nova Scotia during the 2019-2020 school year.
CPF Nova Scotia FSL Educator Award nomination package 2020
Deadline: Deadline for nominations is June 5, 2020.
TCRCE Teacher Wins French Second Language Educator of the Year Award 2019
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia was delighted to honour Mme Lenora Surette at the annual conference on September 28. Lenora Surette is currently a Grade 4/5 French Immersion teacher at Meadowfields Community School with the Tri-County Regional Center for Education.
The CPF Nova Scotia French Second Language Educator of the Year Award recognizes French second language (FSL) educators in the province, celebrates their dedication and continued efforts as educators. This award acknowledges excellence in French second language teaching, and teachers’ initiative and innovation.
Lenora obtained her degree in Education from Université Ste. Anne 24 years ago and then pursed Master of Education degrees from Mount Saint-Vincent and Acadia. Lenora has held various leadership positions with the French Second Language Department at the board level in the past. Six years ago, Lenora returned to the classroom and found her place at the upper elementary level where she combines her love of teaching, music, humor and the French language.
Lenora’s classroom is inviting, stimulating and nurturing. Students look forward to their year with Mme Surette knowing they will participate in a yearlong Classroom Economy Program where they get to apply for a job, work, bank and manage their expenses. As Lenora fosters independence and critical thinking, students are motivated to achieve their best daily where they feel comfortable taking risks.
Communication is at the heart of Lenora’s classroom community. Her students feel comfortable making mistakes and understand that Madame will provide corrections in a manner that builds their self-esteem. Lenora is a huge proponent of the Concours d’art oratoire and has encouraged many students from the TCRCE to participate in this co-curricular activity.
Lenora encourages service-based learning by involving her students in many school-wide events such as hosting a hospitality suite yearly for Veterans or partnering her class with the new primary French Immersion students so that they can practice using and teaching their second language. Her students discover how the educational, emotional and psychological benefits of their individual and collective efforts can boost their own sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
Félicitations to Mme Lenora Surette!
Photo: CPF Nova Scotia Left to right: Jan Claes (CPF Nova Scotia) and Lenora Surette (TCRCE
Bluenose Academy Teacher Makes French Fun For Students
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia was delighted to honour Jason Belliveau Wood at their 41st Annual General Meeting on October 20. Jason Belliveau Wood is in his tenth year as a French second language teacher. He is presently teaching at Bluenose Academy in the South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE).
The CPF Nova Scotia French Second Language Educator of the Year Award recognizes French second language (FSL) educators in the province, celebrates their dedication and continued efforts as educators. This award acknowledges excellence in French second language teaching, and teachers’ initiative and innovation.
As a second language learner in an anglophone community, Jason Belliveau Wood can relate to the struggles that come with learning a new language. While a student at Bridgetown Regional High School, he was surrounded by excellent French second language teachers such as Tony Orlando, Meredith Burton, and Glen Melanson, who took a genuine interest in his progress, both in the classroom and in the community. Getting to know his students and encouraging them to seek out opportunities to speak French has been an important step in reinforcing his French second language lessons.
After high school, Jason Belliveau Wood went on to study in the immersion program at Université Sainte-Anne and later complete his M.Ed. (FSL Instruction). It was in this truly immersive environment that his love and appreciation of the French language and cultures began to take shape. He will always be grateful for the Acadian people, the community of French second language learners, and professors such as Nicole Muise, Stéphanie St-Pierre and Clint Bruce. Jason Belliveau Wood take his classes to Université Sainte-Anne each year to participate in a mini-immersion camp. He considers it a privilege to share the Sainte-Anne experience with them. His students look forward to the Sainte-Anne trip and remember fondly years later.
Jason Belliveau Wood strives to create a learning environment where students can feel comfortable speaking, listening, and writing in their second language, understanding that making mistakes is a part of the process. Embracing the Neurolinguistic approach to second language learning, M. Belliveau Wood encourages his students to be active participants in the classroom. Always looking for different ways to make learning fun, he adapts his lessons to incorporate students’ interests, integrating current technology, using visuals and gestures, and even telling a few ‘dad jokes’. Over the past six years, teaching in the SSRCE, Jason has been fortunate to work with capable and enthusiastic mentors; Gaston Comeau, Mary Chisholm, and Paige Ferguson.
In Jason Belliveau Wood’s “free” time, he and his wife are raising 3 children in Lunenburg. It was also at Université Sainte-Anne where Jason Belliveau Wood met his wife, Jackie, who has been an unwavering source of support and encouragement over the past 17 years of educational and professional pursuits.
Félicitations to M B-Dubs!
ANNAPOLIS VALLEY TEACHER COMBINES FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
ANNAPOLIS VALLEY TEACHER WINS FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2016
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia was delighted to honour Freda Larade at the launch of their 40th Anniversary on October 7. Mme Larade is a French Second Language teacher at Evangeline Middle School in the AVRSB.
Canadian Parents for French Nouvelle-Ecossse est ravi de faire honneur à Freda Larade au lancement de leur quarentieme anniversaire le 7 octobre. Mme Larade est un enseignant de français langue seconde qui travaille à l’ecole Evangeline Middle school.
The CPF Nova Scotia French Second Language Educator of the Year Award recognizes French Second Language educators in the province and celebrates their dedication and continued efforts as educators. This award acknowledges excellence in French second language teaching, and teachers’ initiative and innovation.
Le prix d’éducateur du français langue seconde est décerné par CPF chaque année scolaire à un enseignant en Nouvelle-Ecosse qui démontre leur dévouement à la profession d’enseignement du FLS. Ce prix reconnait l’importance et l’excellence d’enseignement du français langue seconde ainsi que l’initiative et l’innovation de ces enseignants.
Freda Larade was born in Cheticamp but has made her home in the Annapolis Valley for over 25 years. She is a graduate of NSCAD, Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent University and the Institut de Nice. She combines her lifelong passions for theatre, teaching and the French language. Mme Larade has been involved with the Stratford Theatre, Atlantic Theatre, Ships Company, CBC, Skate Canada and Acadia Theatre.
Freda Larade est né à Chéticamp, mais a vécus dans la vallée d’Annapolid depuis 25 ans. Elle est diplômée de NSCAD, Université Dalhousie, l’Université Mount Saint Vincent et l’Institut de Nice. Elle combine ses passions de sa vie pour le théâtre, l’enseignement et la langue francaise. Mme Larade a été impliqué dans le théâtre de Stradford, Atlantic Theatre, Ships Company, CBC Patinage Canada et Acadia Theatre.
Mme Larade has been an Early immersion teacher at the Evangeline Middle School for twenty years. She is a champion of lifelong learning and also encourages her students to take the challenge. At the school, she is active in promoting social change with her students as well as sustainable projects in the community. She involves her students in the Me to We Foundation, Chrysalis House, Open Arms and Tree of Hope. She is also a huge proponent of the Concours d’art oratoire and has encouraged many students from the AVRSB to participate in this co-curricular activity.
Mme Larade a été un enseignant d’immersion précoce a l’école Evangeline Middle School depuis vingt ans. Elle est un champion de la formation continue et encourage également ses eleves à relever le défi. A l’école, elle est active dans la promotion du changement social avec ses élèves, ainsi que des projets durables dans la communauté. Elle implique ses élèves dans le fondation Me to We, Chrysalis House, Open Arms et Tree of Hope. Elle est aussi un grand partisan du Concours d’art oratoire et a encouragé de nombreux etudiants de l’AVRSB à participer à cette activité co-curriculaire.
CAPE BRETON TEACHER ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO TAKE CHANCES, MAKE MISTAKES AND SPEAK FRENCH!
CAPE BRETON TEACHER WINS FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015
Canadian Parents for French – Nova Scotia is pleased to honour a dedicated French Second Language teacher who has worked extensively in Core French, Intensive French and French immersion programs. Vicki Podetz is presently teaching at Oceanview Education Centre in Glace Bay. Mme Podetz also taught for a number of years at Sydney Mines Junior High.
The CPF Nova Scotia French Second Language Educator of the Year Award recognizes French Second Language educators in the province and celebrates their dedication and continued efforts as educators. This award acknowledges excellence in French second language teaching, and teachers’ initiative and innovation.
Mme Podetz creates opportunities of self discovery and self evaluation for her students. Her classroom is a stimulating environment that encourages students to take risks with their language learning. It is an atmosphere that allows students to make mistakes, yet in the same instant provides correction in a manner that builds the learners self-esteem. As a result, her students face the challenge of learning French with fearless enthusiasm.
Laurie MacIntosh, French Second Language Coordinator at the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board presented the award. She congratulated Mme Podetz on the fine job that she was doing in her career as a French teacher. The award was presented at the Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia conference weekend. The award presentation at the Banquet was attended by Minister Michel Samson of Acadian Affairs, Hughie Batherson of Université Sainte-Anne, Isabelle Landry-Sonier of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages in the Atlantic region, and Colin Landry of the Nova Scotia Language Teacher’s Association.
Félicitations to Mme Podetz!
COMMUNICATION: KEY TO PREPARATION FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY
TRURO TEACHER WINS FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Growing up in New Brunswick, Martha Kenny was lucky to have parents who recognized and valued the need to communicate in more than one language. Armed with the knowledge that being able to communicate in two languages was the way to understand our world, Mme Kenny chose education as her profession. Canadian Parents for French – Nova Scotia is pleased to honour a dedicated French Second Language teacher who has worked extensively in French immersion, integrated French and the higher levels of the International Baccalaureate program in Nova Scotia.
A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Martha Kenny started her teaching career in Prince Edward Island in 1982. As a military wife, Mme Kenny was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach in many provinces. Martha Kenny has taught at the Cobequid Education Centre for twelve years. She is an exceptional motivator with a strong philosophy of multiculturalism.
“As a second language teacher, I believe it is important to help students become prepared to live in our global society. I strive to help them understand how wonderful it is to be not only bilingual but also bicultural,” said Mme Kenny, “Through a variety of different teaching styles with a strong support of methodology and technology I encourage students to be receptive to other languages and cultures.”
At CEC, Mme Kenny’s ultimate goal is to have students value their own experiences and to think critically. She teaches by valuing each student’s learning style and interests to encourage them to take command of their second language learning.
The CPF Nova Scotia French Second Language Educator of the Year Award recognizes French Second Language educators in the province and celebrates their dedication and continued efforts as educators. This award acknowledges excellence in French second language teaching, and teachers’ initiative and innovation.
Félicitations to Madame Kenny!
FROM CAMP COUNSELLOR TO MOTIVATING FRENCH TEACHER
BROOKHOUSE ELEMENTARY TEACHER WINS FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
As Canadian Parents for French gets ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary of promoting French second language opportunities for young Canadians, the Nova Scotia branch office is pleased to honour one of its first FSLTeachers of the Year who has worked extensively in CPF Nova Scotia’s French summer camp program.
Gilles Boudreau is an exceptional teacher and motivator. He presently teaches Core French at Brookhouse Elementary school in Dartmouth. He has also taught at Astral Drive Elementary, BellPark and Prince Arthur Jr High. Mr Boudreau, an Acadian from Louisdale is a graduate of Isle Madame District High. He studied French at St FrancoisXavierUniversity and received his B.Ed from Université Sainte-Anne.
“I strive to promote the French language and culture, and I find it extremely rewarding seeing students learn a second language,” said Mr Boudreau. While at university, Mr Boudreau worked as a camp counsellor with Université Sainte-Anne at the CPF summer camps in Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, Camp Kadimah and adolescent camp at the Church Point campus. After graduating and moving to Halifax, Mr Boudreau continued his association with CPF by working at and coordinating Camp du Soleil in Dartmouth.
Gilles Boudreau was nominated by Hughie Batherson, Vice Rector of Student Services at Université Sainte-Anne. Each year, Mr Batherson interviews students and asks them which teacher has been a significant influence in their decision to choose Ste-Anne. Many of those students from Prince Arthur and other schools cite Mr Boudreau for his excellent teaching and for motivating them to continue their studies at the province’s only French university.
Felicitations to Gilles Boudreau!
OUTSTANDING HALIFAX WEST TEACHER WINS 2012 FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
In 2013, CPF Nova Scotia will host its 25th Concours d’art oratoire public speaking contest. In the past 24 years, countless students from Halifax West High School have competed at the Concours and won at the regional, provincial and national level. Sandra Starratt is one of the reasons that Halifax West has the record for the most French second language winners to come from one high school in the province. Mme Starratt is the Head of the French Dept at Halifax West High School. She has taught at this high school for over 28 years. Students in every French second language program at the school (early immersion, late immersion and core French) have participated in the Concours and many have gone on to win at the national level.
Mme Starratt is an exceptional teacher and motivator. As an educator, she not only gives 110% to her French department, but she also volunteers as a Student Government Faculty Advisor. As a Student Government advisor, Mme Starratt has devoted countless hours to the more memorable activities of school life. Students flock to her for her leadership, encouragement and unflagging energy. Mme Starratt also encourages the students at her school to think of others. Some of her special projects include: being a major sponsor of the Nova Scotia Gambia Association, which began its annual fundraising dinner in the cafeteria of Halifax West; the annual “Head for the Cure”, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research, with students and staff going bald, super-short or bizarrely-coloured hair for the cause; and to giving tons (again, literally) of food and money donations to Feed Nova Scotia. Halifax West students are made very aware of the world around them, the privileged life they lead, and the many needs of others.
Mme Starratt has always instilled in her students the desire to excel in French language learning. She brings a positive attitude to every aspect of her school day. She has an inexhaustible desire to encourage others to learn and succeed. Her students are swept up by her energy and her enthusiasm for French. They benefit from her creative methods of teaching and her profound understanding of the benefits of interactive learning in the classroom. She was cited by her colleagues and students as being devoted, thoughtful, creative, patient and inspirational.
The CPF-Nova Scotia French Second Language Educator of the Year Award recognizes French Second Language educators in this province and rewards them for their dedication and continued efforts as educators. This award acknowledges excellence in French second language teaching and rewards teachers’ initiative and innovation. The winning French second language teacher must also make a significant contribution to their profession, school and community.
Felicitations to Sandra Starratt!
