Surrey teacher wins award for innovation and passion for French education
A Grade 5, 6 and 7 Core French teacher at Mary Jane Shannon and Lena Shaw elementary schools is one of five educators across Canada being honoured with the Prix Idéllo 2022, an annual award recognizing excellence in French education.
Tanya Campbell is this year’s recipient of the prize in the French as a Second Language Teacher from an English Language School in Canada category, selected for her zest for life, generosity and dedication to the use of nature in her teaching. The award is presented by Groupe Média TFO, a public media organization by the Ontario government that produces and distributes French educational content, in partnership with Canadian Parents for French (CPF).
“I get to be with hundreds of kids and I get to play in language,” said Campbell. “The majority of our children are in Core French, so it’s important that those kids get access to another language, and taught well.
“Our goal is to create joy – joy of the language, joy of the culture, to honour the languages that are in the room as well as the languages of the territory.”
Core French is a basic second language program for Grade 5 to 8 students that teaches French for 90 to 120 minutes per week.
Mary Jane Shannon Elementary principal Linda Chau said Campbell is energetic, thoughtful and inspirational to her students and always challenges them to think on a societal level outside of the classroom.
“She understands where the students come from because she was once one of those students,” said Chau. “And when she has that personal connection and that drive to make a change in her students’ lives, she does it. I know she’s invested on a personal level and that’s why you see the results that you do in her teaching.”
Campbell is also part of the Mentor 36 peer-to-peer teaching support program and hosts monthly chats to discuss and share resources with other elementary Core French classroom teachers and specialists.
In addition to recognition, each winner will receive $1,000 to better equip their work environment and further development of their students.
Congratulations Tanya and thank you for all of your hard work!
