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Gail Gagnon with some of her students at the Place Cartier Adult Education Centre. (MARIE-FRANCE COALLIER/The Gazette)
Teacher of the Week: Gail Gagnon
Teaching adult education an exercise in mutual inspiration
Karen Seidman
The Gazette
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Gail Gagnon with some of her students at the Place Cartier Adult Education Centre. (MARIE-FRANCE COALLIER/The Gazette)
Teacher of the Week is a weekly feature spotlighting a local educator.
Name: Gail Gagnon
School: Place Cartier Adult Education Centre in Beaconsfield
Grade: Adult education
Experience: 10 years
Extracurricular activities: Chairperson of staff council, member of the Digital Learning Project
Hobbies: Pilates, reading, cross-country skiing, Nordic walking
Most recently read book: Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden
Being a part of her students’ second chance at succeeding in high school is incredibly rewarding for Gail Gagnon.
An English and Options teacher at the Place Cartier Adult Education Centre in Beaconsfield, Gagnon relishes the triumphs and challenges of working with adult education students.
“You know that this is their second chance and you want to create a very welcoming environment,” said Gagnon, who has been teaching at the centre for about 10 years. “The teachers here are really committed to having the students achieve.”
She also understands what it is like to be in school when you are working. She spent five years getting her teaching degree at night at Concordia University and can relate to her students’ challenges.
“Students today have so many demands on them,” she said. “Many will work 30 to 40 hours a week while going to school. They have a lot on their plates.”
Gagnon discovered teaching after working as a volunteer for a literacy organization that placed her in an adult education class. She so loved the work that she decided to get a teaching degree.
“I like the environment of the centre,” said Gagnon. “There is no bullying, people feel accepted, the classes are longer, there is mutual respect and the students respond to it very well.”
Although it is an adult education centre, Gagnon said the majority of students are still 16 to 18 years old.
The student who nominated Gagnon said she promotes a learning environment that is “vibrant, interesting and challenging,” while also being fun, open and flexible.
“Gail motivates her students to become involved and produce relevant, thought-provoking work,” said the student.
The secret to Gagnon’s success becomes fairly obvious when talking to her: she adores her students and her job.
“I really get a kick out of them,” she said. “They teach me a lot, too. You could say we inspire each other.”