丁香园AV

As a student in the Conseil scolaire francophone (CSF) and then a participant in the EXPLORE program at Laval University, her experiences grew, and so did her love of French. However, the trigger that sparked her choice to become a teacher came during a conversation with other young people who had come from French immersion. Charlotte was moved and inspired by their backgrounds and situations. Her goal is to teach immersion to foster language development and a love for the language from an early age.

Creative, energetic, and a true ambassador of the French language, Charlotte is very interested in promoting exchanges between the CSF and the French immersion program. We wish Charlotte every success.

Congratulations, Charlotte. Your passion for the French language and your willingness to share it within the community and beyond make you an inspiring leader!

What does it mean for you to receive the first Community Leadership Award for future teachers?

Receiving the first Community Leadership Award for Future Teachers is a tremendous honour for which I am deeply grateful. My desire to give back to this beautiful community was the impetus for getting involved. I see this award as a recognition of my efforts over the years and a reminder of their impact, even when I don鈥檛 realize I鈥檓 having an impact. Inspiration has always been at the heart of my commitment, and receiving this award gives me even greater motivation to continue.

What drives you most as a community leader?

It wasn't until I finished high school that I discovered this Francophone community, and that remains a defining moment of my life. My experiences over the years in this community have given me an appreciation and enjoyment of my language, and that's thanks to the community leaders who came before me. 

My commitment is driven by the knowledge that I have the potential to have the same impact on young people as they have had on me. It gives me great pleasure to see new generations of young people rise from participation to commitment and, in turn, become community leaders.

Do you have an anecdote or memory to share?

Through my involvement with the CJFCB, I've been lucky enough to have had some memorable experiences. One of the most memorable was when I worked as a project officer in charge of the CONNECTE program, which provides grants to 14-25 year olds to help them carry out their community projects. Together with a colleague, we organized a talk show from scratch to celebrate all the community projects that young people had carried out during the year. 

We were really chasing rainbows by taking on a project without really grasping the scope of the task. But it鈥檚 the challenges, the unexpected twists, and the long nights spent working alongside my colleague that made this experience so meaningful and close to my heart. I'm particularly proud of this achievement, not only for what we achieved but, above all, for the opportunity we created, enabling young people to be recognized for their commitment.

Why did you choose to pursue post-secondary studies in French? What does it mean to you?

At the start of my university career, I had no intention of studying in French. My initial plan was to take a few French courses here and there without actually completing a degree in the language. It wasn't for lack of interest but rather because I'd spent all my schooling in French and was looking for a bit of a linguistic break. However, I knew I was interested in teaching in French, so it was important for me not to abandon the language altogether. 

Then, I discovered our beautiful Francophone community, which completely transformed my perception. I decided to get involved in my university's Francophone association to maintain my language skills, and that鈥檚 one of the reasons I eventually chose to continue my studies in French so that I could become fully involved in these associations. My university experience, especially with people who didn't speak French, made me realize how deeply French is linked to my identity and how much I'd miss it if I didn't use it. What did I draw from my community experiences? The feeling of belonging and the pleasure of having fun in the language. These are at the heart of my decision to teach in French. I understand how crucial and transformative these elements are for students, and I want to help them experience this and support them in their own journey.

What are your current or future projects within the Francophone community?

I'm now a student in the PDP French Module, which takes up a lot of my energy, but that doesn't stop me from continuing to be involved in my community through the Conseil jeunesse francophone de la C.-B.'s 18+ committee, where I help plan social activities for the province's 18+ age group. 

When I become a teacher, I envision my commitment taking shape through inspiration. I want to pass on to my future students my love for the francophone world and this beautiful community we're building to help them develop a real sense of belonging.

To conclude, do you have any message for students who are future candidates for the Community Leadership Award?

Community involvement is not defined by the number of activities you participate in but by the impact you create. The idea of a committed person is often that of someone involved in many projects and causes, so this becomes, by default, our way of defining commitment. I used to wonder whether my commitment was enough since it was mainly focused on one thing. Yet I've come to understand that it's not the quantity that counts but the quality of what you do. No matter how big or small your commitment, what makes the difference is the impact you create and what that commitment brings you in return.