An Ottawa Catholic School Board teacher has received national recognition for her work leading French Immersion programs at St. Paul High School.
Kathy Sinclair, the school's Department Head of Modern Languages, is the recipient of a 2026 French Immersion Excellence Award in the Leadership and Excellence in French Immersion Practices category, according to the Ottawa Catholic School Board. The award is presented by the Canadian Association of Immersion Professionals (ACPI).
The national award honours an educator whose practices have a direct and measurable impact on French Immersion learners. Sinclair was nominated by colleagues, who the board said described her as a generous, innovative leader and a steadfast advocate for students and educators.
Bridging the gap to high school
Among the work that earned her the honour, Sinclair led a year-long pilot project after educators identified gaps in students' French-language skills as they moved toward secondary school. The project connected teachers in Grades 6, 7 and 8 from several Ottawa schools.
Those teachers formed a community of practice and used diagnostic assessments to better understand students' strengths and needs in listening, reading, speaking and writing. Results were shared with teachers, students and families, giving everyone a clearer picture of student progress and next steps.
According to the Ottawa Catholic School Board, students who took part became more willing to take risks and approached French with greater confidence.
French beyond the textbook
In Sinclair's classroom, French is not confined to a textbook, the board said. Her students have competed in "Le clip immersion," ACPI's national video competition, earning significant post-secondary bursaries. They also prepare for the "Concours d'art oratoire," celebrate "Le mois de la Francophonie" with French Wordle challenges, and discover new music through "Manie musicale."
Sinclair has helped bring Francophone performers such as Le Flo Franco and Le Groupe Swing into the school. In March 2026, she served on the planning committee for a trip that let 36 secondary students in French programs experience European Francophone culture firsthand.
Opening doors for students and teachers
Sinclair also works to ensure students can afford to take part, the board said, regularly seeking funding to keep cultural experiences and enrichment activities free or low-cost.
She prepares students for the DELF French-language exams in the fall and spring, often using her lunch hours to offer extra help. As a trained DELF examiner and corrector, she also volunteers her time to evaluate students from across the board.
Her leadership extends to fellow educators. Sinclair supports new and experienced teachers, shares evidence-based practices, develops preparation resources and helps colleagues create culturally responsive learning environments, according to the board.
The board said her impact shows in students who find the courage to speak French outside the classroom, teachers who feel supported trying new approaches, and young people who begin to imagine futures that include bilingual study, work and travel.
