Jun. 16, 2025
Kristy Chan-Bourdages, a dedicated educator at Queen Elizabeth High School, has been named the recipient of the Canadian Parents for French Award for Best French as a Second Language (FSL) Educator of the Year in Alberta.
This award highlights Kristy’s deep commitment to fostering high-quality French language learning experiences for all students. Her work reflects a thoughtful and inclusive approach to second language instruction, grounded in strong pedagogy and responsive to the diverse needs of her learners.
"It is with immense gratitude and deep humility that I accept this award for excellence in French language instruction,” shares Chan-Bourdages. “To be recognized in this way is not only an incredible honor, but also a meaningful affirmation of the work so many of us do to bring language—and through it, connection, culture, and understanding—into the lives of our students.”
Kristy’s teaching practice is rooted in a belief that every student can thrive in an FSL environment. She has demonstrated leadership in designing learning tasks that are both academically rigorous and engaging, supporting learners across a range of levels, as well as students learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). Her ability to recognize and honour students’ varied backgrounds and experiences with French has guided her to develop entry points that make French accessible and meaningful for all.
“Teaching French is not just about vocabulary and grammar; it is about opening a door to a new way of seeing the world,” says Chan-Bourdages. “Through language, we introduce students to our shared Canadian heritage and richness of other Francophone cultures, histories, and voices.”
In collaboration with colleagues, Kristy initiated a high school task design project focused on developing learning opportunities that integrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in French. The team’s work has already had a positive impact in classrooms and was recently shared at the 2025 Languages Symposium with CBE educators.
Kristy is a lifelong learner who continually seeks to strengthen her own language proficiency and instructional practice. As a certified DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) examiner, she brings both professional expertise and a deep understanding of language acquisition to her work. Her classroom is a place where students feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported as they take risks and grow as French language learners.
"I am the educator I am today because of the colleagues who mentored, challenged and supported me, and most of all, the students who inspire me every single day with their curiosity, resilience, and courage to try—speaking imperfectly at first, and then with growing confidence later,” says Chan-Bourdages. “I share this recognition with them. Because every small breakthrough—every student who has suddenly realized they understand a sentence or question without help or expressed a personal thought in French with pride—is a moment worth celebrating.”
Through her collaborative spirit, reflective practice, and dedication to student success, Kristy exemplifies the values of the CBE learning community.
