Note: Some footage used in this video was filmed prior to the pandemic and may not depict social distancing measures.
Transcription – Francois-Henri Lafarge, Prime Minister's Award recipient
[Close-up of man in an interview setting. Music playing.]
"I found it really interesting to go and get teacher training. Today, I'm absolutely passionate about education. "
[Fade to black and then up to white with medium shot of man, smiling, on the left side of the screen, with the following words appearing, line by line, on the right: Francois-Henri Lafarge, Ecole Primaire de la Source, Lavaltrie, Quebec. Fade to black and then up to close-up of Francois-Henri in the interview setting.]
"I find there are so many important things to do because what we have the pleasure and duty to do is shape tomorrow's citizens; those who make Canada and Quebec what it will be."
[Fade to black and then up to Francois-Henri in the interview setting.]
"I think that there are many important elements to consider so that a student succeeds at school. First, the student has to be made to feel good at school. That's first because the child has to want to come. Another element that is very important for me is to put the focus on the student, and especially have him experience success. Because automatically, if a student constantly feels in difficulty, he'll be more likely to lose the desire to invest himself. So, the student's self-motivation has to be created. And to get there, well, I try to work so that each one experiences a success, whatever it is."
[Fade to black and then up to Francois-Henri in the interview setting.]
"We'll often use computer equipment; instead of "pencil and paper' writing exercises, we'll do them on the computer. The same thing for various types of tests. "
[Fade to black and then up to Francois-Henri in the interview setting.]
"I feel that the student always find doing this type of work using digital tools pleasanter, more encouraging. They feel more like they're playing than working."
[Fade to black and then up to Francois-Henri in the interview setting.]
"I set up an activity in the school where the students are technicians, so to speak, to support teachers who may have difficulties with computer equipment."
[Cut to photos, with voice over. Photos: Francois-Henri standing a the blackboard teaching in front of a class; Francois-Henri standing in front of a group of four students pointing to a bulletin board.]
"So, when the teachers have problems, they contact us. Then I send a student to help the teacher. So, it's very rewarding for them plus they also have the feeling of success from doing something good."
[Cut back to close-up of Francois-Henri in the interview setting.]
"If I had to give one piece of advice to someone who wants to become a teacher, it would be to tell him not to be afraid to take a chance. By that I mean that you can try everything with our youth. There is no need to be afraid to throw yourself into projects, to innovate, get them to have different experiences."
[Fade to black, with the Government of Canada FIP and then the Canada Wordmark appearing in white.]
Year: 2020 — Province: Québec
Certificate of Excellence Recipient
Elementary (French, mathematics, social sciences, science and technology, ethics and religious culture, and art), grade 6
École primaire de la Source
Lavaltrie, Québec
It's not unusual to see drastic and positive changes in the behaviours and attitudes of the students he teaches
With a passion for teaching and computers, François-Henri Lafarge, or "Mr. François," makes sure his students learn ways of becoming more responsible and autonomous. His wish is that every one of his students gets the chance to succeed and becomes more involved in their own learning.
Teaching approach
"Mr. François's" innovative teaching system is designed to help students experience success, improve and build self-esteem, and feel good about being in a school environment. He makes sure that the students stay motivated and have fun learning through the use of a flexible environment, flipped classrooms and technology tools.
In the classroom
- Using the school board's Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, François helps his students become comfortable with many different types of computer tools, which are then used in the classroom.
- He brought in small Ozobot robots so that students could discover how the robots' optical sensors and programming work.
- François educates students about cyber-bullying, respect for copyright and referencing in shared documents to ensure that the tools are used ethically.
- He launched a website for students and their parents with instructional videos and materials to help students study at home.
Outstanding achievements
- François created the ICT brigade, which trains students to help teachers with computer problems or work alongside them during technology activities—a motivating initiative for the students.
- He organized, along with the English teacher, programming workshops that take place entirely in English so that students can be exposed to another language.
- He was released from teaching for one year to work as an ICT educational advisor and provided robotics training to teachers in the four elementary schools in his city.
- Through an appeal to the Lavaltrie community, he developed a type of cooperative that helped supply computers to students who did not have a one at home, to allow them to fully participate in learning opportunities.
Contact us!
École primaire de la Source
1020 Tricentenaire Street
Lavaltrie, QC J5T 2S4
450-758-3592
source.055@cssamares.qc.ca
https://recit.cssamares.qc.ca/delasource/