That One Teacher: We hear from teachers who positively impacted your life
You told us your stories. We're sharing them
CBC Montreal has been keeping an eye on the state of our schools in Quebec — and how Quebecers are feeling about them.
In a recent conversation with community members in Montreal, the value of teachers emerged as a key theme. Some pointed to how teachers need more support to do their jobs well, others voiced what they think needs to change in the classroom.
But throughout those conversations, many also spoke to the importance a teacher can have in a person's life. And so we asked you to tell us your stories.
We received dozens of meaningful submissions highlighting the role teachers can play, like an elementary school teacher who helped a young newcomer feel at home, and an adult educator who helped a nursing student navigate the classroom at 50.
Over the next few weeks, we will be profiling teachers in our community.
Monique Imbeau, who is completing her 35th year as a kindergarten teacher, was nominated for engaging young students with her "unique blend of warmth and humour" during the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
Jake Roberts, the father of one of her former students, credits Imbeau for sparking his son's interest in visual arts and giving him a solid foundation of French while making the 2020-21 school year "feel as normal as possible."
"Even during remote learning periods, I was amazed at what she could get out of our son," Roberts said.
Andrea Hawkins has been teaching science for 28 years. She was nominated for excellence in teaching and her approachability.
Former student Laura Fregeau said that when she struggled in CEGEP, she contacted Hawkins for advice and although she was no longer Hawkins's student, the science teacher offered her words of support.
"She responded with a lot of validation and made sure I knew that whenever I come up against a failure, I can always try again with lessons I learned if that is the path I want to follow," Fregeau said. "The encouragement from Ms. H. taught me a lifelong lesson about achieving my goals in my own time and in my own way."
Stephanie Loeb, who has been teaching at McGill University since 2020, says she loves environmental engineering and teaching students how to apply their knowledge to solve real-world issues. She was nominated for her accessible and relatable teaching style.
One of her master's students, Michelle Pelletier, said Loeb's mentorship as her supervisor has helped clarify her professional and academic future and encouraged a sense of confidence in her research.
"The moment Dr. Stephanie Loeb walked into our fourth-year water engineering class, she challenged every preconception of what a professor could be," Pelletier said. "With combat boots, a nose ring, and commanding expertise in water treatment and pollution control, she delivered complex material with remarkable clarity and enthusiasm."
Darin Barney has been teaching at McGill University for more than 20 years. Born in British Columbia, he's dedicated his academic career to helping students make sense of the world around them. He was nominated for the encouragement and critical thinking skills he teaches in the classroom.
Diane Saint-Joigny, who was an undergraduate in art history and communication studies from 2019 to 2023, took multiple classes with Barney. She says he helped her think differently about social, environmental and political movements, and left her with a sense of lasting hope.
"What he really puts forward is that there's no 'one' answer. It's not like 'this is the right answer and this is what you have to know.' No, there are many different possibilities because simply, we all have different experiences in our lives," she said. "He talks a lot about social activism. So it also motivates us as students and like citizens of the world to act and to do our part."
Julie Babin is now a lecturer and researcher with the school of education at Université de Sherbrooke, but in the early 2000s, she was just beginning her teaching career at École secondaire de la Ruche in Magog. She was nominated for her welcoming and respectful teaching style.
Olivia Louise Grenier was a student in the very first group that Babin taught after receiving her teaching degree. She says her former French language arts teacher showed respect and genuine attention to every student — even if she wasn't always the "fun" teacher.
"As a teenager, I was always a very quiet and very shy student," Grenier said, sharing that she felt invisible in some of her classes. "[Babin] was very welcoming and I felt seen. I felt like I could speak out, share ideas and be myself. I never felt like she would forget who I was. She made me feel safe."