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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

chana macdonald

Red Deer teacher named Alberta’s French Immersion Educator of the Year

Jun 25, 2024 | 2:27 PM

One of Red Deer’s own has been named the best French Immersion teacher in the province.

Chana MacDonald, une professeure à l’École Central Middle School was recently awarded with the Educator of the Year award by Canadian Parents for French (Alberta branch) and the Alberta French Language Education Consortium.

To much excitement, MacDonald was given the news of her award in front of her students.

“It was unreal. I had zero clue this was happening,” she says of. “I was taken aback.”

MacDonald, a French Immersion student in Red Deer once upon a time, started off her education in engineering.

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“I started off pursuing education in general, but I was really missing having my education be in French. I figured why waste those 13 years that I put in? So here is where I have ended up,” she says.

“The kids get me to work every day. The days they are not here are the worst days. Having fun with the kids and seeing those lightbulb moments — that is what feeds my desire to come to work every day.”

Amanda Wilson, principal at École Central Middle, says MacDonald is an exceptional teacher, passionate about her craft and about promoting and infusing the French language into the school.

“She goes above and beyond to ensure that every student feels welcome, comfortable and supported,” she says.

“Chana is highly relational with her students and it is evident that they love learning with her. Because of this, her students are highly motivated, and are willing to take risks and be resilient. Her classroom is engaging and collaborative. Chana meets students where they’re at and ensures that every student in her classes experiences success.”

MacDonald is currently working on her Masters in Mathematics for Teachers at the University of Waterloo.

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