Queen's University recognizes T.A.B. teacher By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF T. A. Blakelock High School teacher Richard Lachance was recently recognized by Queen's University for playing a significant role in educating one of that university's new graduates. Lachance, a French Immersion teacher at Blakelock, was awarded the 2012 Baillie Award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching by the Kingston-based university. He was nominated for the award by Blakelock, and now Queen's, graduate, Julie Harmgardt. "I feel fantastic. It feels great," Lachance said, adding he did not expect to receive a teaching award from Queen's University, firstly because he didn't know such awards existed, and secondly, because he did not think anyone would nominate him. "You just do your job and this is it," he said. "I knew I was doing a good job because all the kids want to be in my classes. All the kids who go to university do very well. They're very thankful, they always come back to tell me." Graduating students at Queen's are invited to nominate a high school teacher that exercised upon the student a decisive and formative influence and set them on their course to Queen's and, subsequently, to graduation. In her nomination form, Harmgardt, a Bachelor of Arts grad who specialized in French literature, admitted Lachance is a teacher who hands out a heavy workload, but that is part of his strong teaching method. "We always looked forward to his class," she wrote on her nomination form. "He pushed each of us to achieve our personal academic limits. Mr. Lachance truly believed in our ability to push beyond what was expected of us (based on the established curriculum). In a sense, he ignored the notions of what a `typical' Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 student was thought to be able to accomplish and brought challenging texts and concepts into the classroom. Lachance doesn't shy away from such a reputation, admitting he piles on the work. "We push. We try to get the squeeze out of every brain so the kids do succeed in university and you do feel 3 · Wednesday, July 4, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com SYDNEY SHERIDAN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER teacher is tops: Richard Lachance recently won a Baillie Award from Queen's University in Kingston, after having been nominated for it by Julie Harmgardt, a former student at Blakelock. good about going to university," the 56-year-old Oakville resident said. "Most of my kids skip first year of university (French). They'll go directly to second or third year." Additionally, he gives out tough tests, but the overall marks are high in his class. He assured it's not because he is an easy grader, saying that students who get high marks in his class end up getting high marks in university. He also writes his own teaching material. A native of Québec City, Lachance has a strong command of the French language and spends his summers writing units for the coming school year. "It's nice for me to integrate the things that the kids do understand and don't understand. It makes my whole life so much easier and it makes the lives so much easier for the kids," he said. Further, he streamlines his classes, with three groups of students. This includes an advanced group, a group for regular course-level and those who need some extra help. Lachance has been teaching for 29 years. See Hard page 11 An elegant upscale professional wellness centre staffed with top practitioners, trainers and teachers of their profession. · Naturopathic Medicine · Massage/Athletic Therapy · Live Blood Analysis · Personal Life Coaching · Nutrition/Grocery Tour/ In-home Kitchen Makeovers · Food Allergy Testing · Personal Training · Yoga/Pilates · Boot Camps · Meditation · Infrared Sauna/Cycle Sauna · Weight Loss · Acupuncture now open LUNCH AND LEARN ABOUT INVESTMENT FEES DATE THURSDAY July 19th Lunch: 12:00pm - 12:45pm LOCATION Peter Watson Investments 220 Randall Street, Downtown Oakville Free Parking MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI NOW OFFERING ESTHETICS -Waxing, Manicure (OPI Shellac), Pedicures, Facials, Microdermabrasion, Echo 2 Oxygen Treatments, Aromatherapy, Chemical Peels, etc. #22-2172 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville, ON L6L 6R1 Peter Watson 905-825-9996 | www.onwc.ca Oakville Naturopathic Wellness Centre (Next to the Bronte GO Station) Open From 5:30a.m. · Enpowering One Person At A Time! · To reserve your seats email us at info@peterwatsoninvestments.com or call us at (905) 842-2100 Ext: 2 (24 hours) www.peterwatsoninvestments.com