Exceptional educator
Parkside Elementary teacher Guylaine Marois gets top marks
Grade 1 French immersion teacher, Guylaine Marois, at Parkside school in Summerside, was presented with the French Educator of the Year award from the Canadian Parents for French.
Parkside Elementary teachers were instructed Monday to bring their students to the gymnasium for an assembly honouring students’ good deeds. Once inside, Grade 1 French immersion teacher Guylaine Marois settled her class in for their assembly, unaware of the surprise the Canadian Parents for French had in store for her.
In front of a sea of excited students, Education Minister Doug Currie surprised everyone naming Marois the French Educator of the Year.
The students were asked to try and guess who the recipient could be as Currie listed off her traits.
Standing by the wall, smiling at her students, Marois was oblivious she was unaware he was talking about her.
The students were asked to try and guess who the recipient could be as Currie listed off her traits.
“She is a passionate, dedicated committed and cares very much about each student,” he said. Unknowingly, Marois looked around the room trying to guess who might be the winner. The recipient is someone who focuses on creative ways of learning, like hosting an art show, Currie said. Marois’ head snapped up as she recognized what he was saying. Tears welled in her eyes and she took a deep breath as it all began to sink in.
Praised for being passionate about the French language, as well as the culture, Currie then announced Marois as the winner. The children’s cheers were deafening as they jumped to their feet. Tentatively she walked to the front of the gymnasium in shock, Marois hugged the executives and faced the crowd. She fought to hold back tears. “Merci. Thank you.”
She lost the battle. The tears spilled over as she walked away. Awarded with a pin, trophy and a banner for her classroom, it wasn’t those items that excited the children.
Her classroom will be given $400, and the kids know exactly what they want done with the money.
Everything from bubblegum to class pets that aren’t mealworms, the students had big dreams for what they would spend the money on. Harper Desroches, one of the students, knew the kinds of things Madam Guylaine would use it for.
“I think she’ll buy books.” Marois agreed completely. “Books for sure, art supplies and healthy food too.”
As far as the $100 awarded to her for personal use, she plans on buying yarn to fuel her new hobby, knitting.
Her students couldn’t contain their excitement, or their dance moves. Although they are proud of their teacher, they still have their fingers crossed she’ll buy them a class dog.