For immediate release, December 4, 2024
FRENCH SECOND LANGUAGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2024 RECOGNIZES IMPORTANCE OF EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION
French Second Language Educator of the Year 2024 Award Winner from École Tantallon Junior Elementary
Halifax, Nova Scotia (December 4, 2024) – This year’s French Second Language Educator Award recognizes the importance of French in the early years. Jessica McInerney is a grade primary/one French immersion teacher at École Tantallon Junior elementary. Mme. McInerney was nominated for French Second Language Teacher of the Year Award by parents and the chair of the SAC.
“Madame Jessica is always engaging her students in song. As a trained music teacher, she has a song for everything and so many of her lessons involve music. Recognizing the importance of primary and the piece it plays in setting children up for success throughout school is very obvious in the way Madame Jessica engages her students. The students know they are learning and they absolutely love it. In short, Madame Jessica motivates her students by establishing high expectations, helping the children reach them, and making sure they know their work is important.” Parent Nominator.
Each year, Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia recognizes excellence in French second language teaching with its French Second Langauge Educator of the Year Award. Nominations are received from across the province from students, parents and colleagues with glowing testimonials to teachers who motivate their students to achieve their best and who make a significant contribution to their school and community.
Mme. McInerney grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and completed her school in the French Immersion program. Her parents strongly advocated for French Immersion throughout her education and were members of Canadian Parents for French, often helping to organize events such as summer camps. A music teacher by trade, Mme. McInerney delights in singing French songs with her primary students to foster bilingualism. She has two daughters currently in French Immersion and is proud to see them embrace the French language and its rich history.
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia also choose Linda Côté for an Honorable Mention this year. Linda Côté is a dedicated French immersion teacher at Kings County Academy and her nomination conveyed the passion that Mme. Côté has for teaching.
“Linda Côté is the kind of teacher every parents hopes that their child gets to have as a teacher. Her warmth and kindness are complemented by her high standards and passion for teaching the French language… She encourages her students and provides enriching activities that stimulate their love of learning while seamlessly weaving French culture into everything she teaches.” Parent Nominator.
Mme. Côté is originally from Grand Falls, New Brunswick. With a Bachelor of Education in Elementary from the University of Moncton, Mme. Côté moved to Nova Scotia in 1995 to start her teaching career. Mme Côté taught French Immersion to grades 7-9 in Shelburne before relocating to Windsor in 2002. Since then, Mme Côté has been teaching grade one/two French Immersion students at Kings County Academy in Kentville, where she continues to inspire young learners and foster a love of the French language.
Félicitations to Mme. McInerney and Mme. Côté, we appreciate your excellence and inspiration to your students!
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Canadian Parents for French is the national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians. There are currently more than 36,000 members across Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Mira Savran, Communications Coordinator (Atlantic region)
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia
Tel: 902-453-2048
Toll free: 1-877-CPF-5233
Email: communications@ns.cpf.ca
Website: ns.cpf.ca
Press release – FSL Educator of the Year 2024
Photo: Jessica McInerney
Photo: Linda Côté
