Michele Tremblay has spent the majority of her life teaching others the beauty of the French language.
She has been a French immersion teacher for the Calgary Catholic School Board since 1989, deciding to retire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
“We are in a bilingual country, so everybody should make it their business to be able to communicate in both languages,” says Tremblay.
“I think we should all be investigating our roots and looking into the French and English sides of ourselves, and looking into the Indigenous languages of the land we’re on. It will help us understand each other better and connect with each other.”
Tremblay says she will continue tutoring, and will be creating, editing and translating French language materials specifically for young women.
Nominator Emma Work says Tremblay’s mentorship inspired her to pursue a degree in French education to give others the same unforgettable experience she received.
“She works tirelessly to instill passion, recognize the efforts of her students, encourage them, and serve as a pillar of support,” says Work.
“She created a culturally enriching experience for all of her French immersion students and inspired countless students to develop a love for French.”