Honoured for Leadership in French as a Second Language Education
What begins in a French classroom can open doors that last a lifetime.
For more than two decades, Amy Van Brabant has helped Ottawa Catholic School Board students and educators build confidence in French, find new opportunities and see bilingualism as something they can carry with them well beyond school.
That commitment to French as a Second Language (FSL) education has now earned Amy provincial recognition. Canadian Parents for French Ontario has named her the 2026 recipient of the McGillivray Award, recognizing her leadership, initiative and significant contribution to FSL education in Ontario.
An Award with Special Meaning
Established in 1987, the McGillivray Award honours the memory of Russ McGillivray and his contribution to the development of FSL education. Each year, it recognizes an education leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing French-language learning across Ontario.
For Amy, receiving an award connected to Russ McGillivray has particular meaning. As a student, she was part of an early late French Immersion cohort in western Ottawa, an experience that helped shape the career she would eventually pursue.
That student experience grew into more than 20 years as an FSL educator, consultant, mentor and leader.
Watch Amy’s acceptance speech.
Building Stronger Opportunities for OCSB Students
Amy taught French Immersion and Core French from Grades 4 to 12 before moving into system-level leadership.
During her time as an OCSB FSL Consultant, she helped strengthen French-language learning across elementary and secondary schools. Her work included supporting educators, expanding access to the DELF exam, leading professional learning and helping teachers incorporate current FSL teaching practices into their classrooms.
Amy also co-led the Eastern Region CEFR Team, supported examiner training across Eastern Ontario and helped bring opportunities such as the French Café and Concours d’art oratoire to OCSB students and families.
Central to all of that work has been a simple goal: helping students use French with confidence, purpose and pride.
Partnerships That Make a Difference
Amy’s work has also helped strengthen the OCSB’s partnership with Canadian Parents for French Ontario.
Over the past five years, that collaboration has supported parent workshops, teacher recruitment initiatives, cultural performances and other opportunities that allow students to experience French beyond the classroom.
It is work that reflects our Strategic Commitment to Be Innovative, finding meaningful ways to strengthen learning and create opportunities for students to apply what they know in authentic settings.
Nourishing a New Beginning
Amy is now beginning a new chapter as Assistant Manager of the Ontario DELF Centre, where her experience and leadership will support FSL education well beyond the OCSB.
In her new role, she will help expand authentic French-language proficiency pathways for students, strengthen support for FSL educators and school board leads, and continue working to ensure that all learners, including students with special education needs, can recognize the value of their bilingual journey.
As the OCSB enters the third year of our Spiritual Theme, Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings, Amy’s next chapter feels especially fitting.
She has spent her career opening doors for students and educators. Now, she has an opportunity to take what she has learned at the OCSB and help create those same opportunities for students across Ontario.
Félicitations, Amy, on this well-deserved recognition and an exciting new beginning.
