A Love of Learning

After graduating with a B.Sc. (Agr.) in 2005, Isabelle LeBlanc took on challenging and rewarding position of high school teacher in the French immersion program in Sackville, NB. Isabelle teaches a wide range of subjects including math, family studies and science. However, of all her subjects, science is her favourite. “I like teaching science because it changes all the time,” says Isabelle. “Everyday is a new lesson. And I like helping my kids decipher fact from fiction.”

Drawing on her time at NSAC, Isabelle finds inspiration for instructing her own class. “I incorporate a lot of the teaching styles I saw at NSAC. I adopt the practice of hands-on learning in my classroom and relate to real-life examples wherever possible.” To whet her students’ appetite for science, she presented her NSAC fourth-year project on flaxseed and omega 3’s effect on milk to them. Isabelle then discussed some of her findings and results as a demonstration of the research aspect of science. Afterwards, the class did some exploring of their own by examining a recent scientific discovery.

“It was a great way to teach them about citations and references and how to conduct research,” says Isabelle.

Thinking back to her days at NSAC, Isabelle says she appreciated the hands-on approach to education practised by NSAC profs. “I attended another university before continuing my education at NSAC,” says Isabelle. “The other institution was heavy on lecture format which I found didn’t work for me and the labs didn’t relate to what we were learning in class.”

Isabelle enjoyed the support the students showed their varsity teams at events like the Rick Russell Woodsman meet. “Everyone came out and cheered on our team,” says Isabelle. It was good to see so much school spirit.”

Isabelle excelled academically while at NSAC, winning the Atlantic Nutrition Scholarship in 2004, but still found time for activities outside the classroom. An experienced livestock judge, she participated in an inter-collegic competition in Guelph, ON.

As for advice for current aggies, Isabelle encourages them to “Get involved with extra circular activities and get out there. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. The profs are approachable and willing to go above and beyond to help students. There isn’t an ‘us and them’ divide like you have at some other universities.”

When asked about plans for the future, Isabelle says while she is enjoying teaching, she would like to pursue her studies again and is considering taking a leave of absence to do a M.Sc. degree. “I miss research,” says Isabelle. “I really enjoyed working on my fourth- year project.”

Whether she pursues her love of learning as a teacher or a student, the Alumni Affairs Office is sure this top scholar will be head of the class.