Former Colwood resident Andrea Brown was recently awarded one of two 2017 Canadian Parents for French B.C. & Yukon teacher awards to help kick start her career as a French immersion teacher.
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“I was really excited, I didn’t expect it,” said the 25-year-old, who graduated from Simon Fraser University’s PDP French module in elementary French immersion in December. “I felt really proud. I’ve put a lot of effort into learning French over the years and I’ve always been passionate about teaching. It was a really good feeling.”
Brown knew she wanted to be a French immersion teacher ever since her parents enrolled her in it in kindergarten at Ecole John Stubbs. After graduating from Belmont Secondary, she continued her study of the French language in France and Quebec City.
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Learning French has also opened a number of doors for her. Brown said it has given her confidence, allowed her travel and made her more receptive to learning new things.
Now, she’ll continue her passion, teaching a Grade 5/6 French immersion class at Sir James Douglas Elementary School in Vancouver in the fall. While Brown enjoys living in Vancouver, she hopes to one day return to the Island.
Find all of the stories that were in the fall West Shore Family publication online here.