Jackie Sybersma
French Teacher
Bonjour! Je m’appelle Madame Jacqueline.
I grew up in Brampton and attended JKCS.
I got my undergraduate and teaching degrees at Redeemer University College. I actually didn’t study French there, but I learned to speak French on my own at home and while travelling! I’m still learning!!
I love to read, work in my vegetable garden, go camping with my family, experiment with cooking and eating yummy food, and of course I love to learn and practice new languages like French! I also part-board a horse in Caledon and spend about 3 days a week after work or on my days off enjoying farm-life! In addition to French, some of the other languages I’ve enjoyed practicing are Dutch and Spanish, but I’m really rusty in both of those, so speak slowly please!
I have a long history with John Knox. I actually first taught at John Knox in 1995 from January to June as an EA in Junior Kindergarten and Grade 8. Then I taught in Rexdale for 8 years. In 2003 I returned to John Knox for a year as the Grade 7-8 Math and Language Arts Teacher.
I went on maternity for a year, I spent a year writing curriculum for Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools, and then spent 10 years running my home daycare business.
I returned to formal classroom teaching in 2016 at JKCS as the French teacher, and I’ve been here for 4 years!
Some of my favourite memories at JKCS… that’s tough because there are so many!! But here are some highlights:
Making Pizza and Smoothies with Grade 6!
Making Crepes with Grade 7!
Organizing Café Français with Grade 8!
Annual class trip to Mountsberg for Maple Syrup with Grade 6!
Dancing and drumming at Lula Lounge with Grade 7 and 8 to celebrate French culture in Africa!
Creole dancing with Lula Lounge with JK-8 to celebrate Black History month!
Teaching the Cup Song in French to Grade 4-8!
Hosting Chef à l’École for Grades 6-8!
Outside of the classroom, I love hosting Smoothie Club every February! I also love working with parents on the Community Relations Committee to help organize the Community BBQ and Pancake Breakfast!
I am a life-long learner! I love to learn as I teach, and there is so much more to learn! What a gift!