Former Fox Run teacher and current French Immersion Coordinator for the Chinook’s Edge School Division Marie-Astrid Detharet was recently presented with the French Immersion Leader of the Year Award at Fox Run school.

Being presented with the award was a huge surprise, Detharet said.

“There are so many great leaders, teachers and stakeholders that help to bring French immersion education to Alberta so it is an honour and very humbling to be chosen as the recipient of the award this year.”

The passion for teaching french comes from personal experience.

“As French is my first language, and English my second, I believe in students having access to learn another language. It helps them appreciate the world around them.”

Detharet was the ideal candidate for this inaugural award and has set the bar high for future candidates, executive director for the Canadian Parents for French Alberta (CPF Alberta) Michael Tryon said.

“Her involvement in her school division’s community, in ensuring that her students have as many opportunities as possible to learn and use French, as well as being a champion for French second language education across the province and within the Francophone community, made Marie-Astrid the ideal candidate for this inaugural award.”

The recognition is one that is well deserved, associate superintendent of learning services Jason Drent said.

“We are grateful for Marie-Astrid’s commitment to supporting French Immersion in our division and we are proud to see her receiving this award.”

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Detharet has always been passionate about her work in bringing French education to the students, vice principal of Ecole Fox Run School and one of Detharet’s nominators Tracey Lynn said.

“French language instruction is as strong as it is in Chinook’s Edge in a large part because of Marie-Astrid.”

This year Detharet also had a big part in bringing the successful Francophone Games to Fox Run school back in May, learning services coordinator and nominator Erin Machell said.

“Her work, for instance, with the recent Francophone Games in Sylvan Lake was evidence of that dedication. She is an exemplary leader and puts her heart into her work.”

This award also represents the incredible hard work done by educators and administrators in the division, Detharet said.

“I am so thankful to Chinook’s Edge for supporting second language learning in a rural school division. I hope by highlighting this award it shows that the French immersion program is a program of choice and a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in.”

CPF-Alberta also handed out awards for French Immersion educator of the year, French Second Language educator of the year and French Second Language professional of the year and received 78 nominations for the four awards which were considered by the organization’s selection committee.

@sarahbaker
sarah.baker@blackpress.ca
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