KRYSTA COOK

KRYSTA COOK

Education & Specialization: Holds an Honours BA in Études françaises and a B.Ed. in French as a Second Language (Junior/Intermediate) from York University, with an FSL Specialist qualification from Queen’s University. Completed a Master of Education in Language and Literacies Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, with a specialization in Éducation, francophonies et diversité.

Teaching & Leadership: Currently a Grade 6/7 French Immersion Teacher with the Peel District School Board. Served on the French Leadership Team, the Strategic Action Plan Committee for Indigenous Education, and as a Learning Environment Itinerant Committee Member & Book Talk Facilitator.

Curriculum & Assessment Expertise: Experienced in second language pedagogy and curriculum development, contributing to the FSL Grammaire en action writing team (Peel DSB & Ontario Ministry of Education) and the FSL EMPOWER writing team and workshop facilitator (PDSB).

Professional Contributions: Official for the Concours et festival d’art oratoire (2017–2019, Canadian Parents for French). Active in equity-focused education, specializing in inclusive teaching and culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy. Sponsored a student who was selected as an Ambassadrice for Français pour l’avenir, supporting youth leadership and engagement in French.

Awards & Recognition: Recipient of the ETFO Masters Scholarship (2019) and H. H. Stern Scholarship (2020) for excellence in FSL education.

Leadership & Service: Served as a Board Member of OMLTA (2020–2024), contributing to the FSL recruitment and retention strategy, professional development, and as on-site rep for Projet A Québec 2023. Currently serving on the Board of Directors for Français pour l’avenir. 

After this wonderful experience, and a Masters in Educational Leadership, Mr. Fontaine became Director of Recruitment and Admissions in 2003. His responsibilities accumulated and his position evolved to become the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs today. Outside of recruitment and admissions, his many responsibilities include student services, as well as the international development file. Additionally, he is the CNFS (Consortium national de formation en santé) Coordinator.

Mr. Fontaine has always been highly involved in francophone affairs both at the Canadian and at the community levels. His commitments include national academic organizations, but also several organizations related to la francophonie such as:

• La Fondation dialogue (a sub-committee responsible for ensuring adequate use of French during the Vancouver Olympic Games)
• Member of the organizing committee for the Jeux de la francophonie canadienne 2008
• Member of the Advisory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy
• Committee member of the Réseau de santé albertain
• Elected to the Association Canadienne française de l’Alberta in 2013 (member of the administrative and the executive committees)

Additionally, he is involved with non-profit organizations such as:

• Founding member of the Jean Gauthier Foundation
• Executive member of organizations coming to the aide of children in need in developing countries
• He is very active in promoting French Immersion programs in Alberta

Lastly, Mr. Fontaine has a great passion for travel and discovering new cultures. He has had the opportunity, in the company of his wife Nadine and his two daughters Zoryanna and Océanne, to visit more than forty-five countries on five continents. These many trips have obviously been extremely enriching and have had an influence on his personality and his values.