Who makes US what WE are.

Mme Folkema

Salut et bienvenue !

As a proud “Oxford County Kid”, my love for languages started early and grew in high school, so giving back to our community and WCI families is at the centre of my approach to teaching and in leading our Moderns and French Immersion Department. 

Having completed a Combined Honours degree at Huron University College (UWO), in French and Spanish, Language and Literature, my career started at WCI in 2005 as the primary Core French teacher. In 2007, I officially became the Department Head. With the growth of our French Immersion program and our community’s diversity, I strive to create an inclusive and culturally safe learning environment in French, Spanish, and all leadership and enrichment opportunities that I coordinate for students.

You'll quickly find out that I am a mom to two girls, Felix and Memphis, and married to my high school sweetheart, Matt. In the opening months of the school year, and from March to May, you’ll find me on the pitch coaching girls’ rugby. 

Known for being tough but fair, and I believe that what you put into your days at WCI is exactly what you’ll get out of them. 

Monsieur Beaudoin

Salut à tous et à toutes!

I am a Francophone from a small town in the Niagara Region.  I studied mathematics, physics and business at Wilfrid Laurier University. I found my passion for the teaching profession after working for 11 years in sales, marketing and management at 3M Canada.  After some life-changing events, I decided to pursue a career in teaching.  I wanted to help people.  I wanted to help them grow, develop and become good citizens of the world. You will find me teaching math in the Pi room (Room 314).  You will hear me anywhere on the 3rd floor.  My voice has been known to reverberate throughout the school and closely paralleled by Mme Schubert 😉.

I pride myself in getting to know every student to the best of my ability.  I believe that only then can we truly get to understand the best way to support, coach and teach them and experience and learn WITH them.  

I look forward to meeting all of our students and parents/guardians and providing a safe and welcoming space for our students to thrive in!

Mlle Boisvert

Bonjour ! Je m’appelle Mlle. Boisvert !

I am a French-first-language teacher, born and raised in Paris (Ontario)! My entire family comes from Québec and despite being mistaken as a “Parisian”, I am indeed proudly French-Canadian. I attended a fully French elementary school and continued with the Core system in high school. Before graduating, I knew I wanted to become a French teacher, so I spent the following 5 years earning my degrees through the Wilfrid Laurier-Nipissing University Schulich School of Education’s Concurrent Education program. I graduated with “distinction” and eventually became a university professor for Laurier, teaching Oral Communication courses in the French program. I have also taught for over a decade across multiple different school boards in South-Western Ontario and spent some time living in various parts of Québec. 

Outside my love for teaching, I have been known to volunteer for many extracurricular activities including tennis, golf, wrestling, the Knitting Club, the Paranormal Society, and many others! In my free time, you will often find me planning my next big travel adventure, kayaking anywhere I can, playing hockey (go Habs!), exploring nature, singing or playing music, and learning about history and planet Earth. The easiest way to describe myself in one word would most definitely be “colourful” – both inside and out!

Students know me as a huge advocate for positive mental health, as well as for the protection of our environment, both of which I incorporate in my day-to-day teaching. Students also know that I have a very “open-door” policy, encouraging them to feel comfortable approaching me with any and all concerns. A big part of my teaching philosophy includes students feeling comfortable, confident, and happy in their learning environment. I have always made it a big focus to teach my students to respect others, the planet, and the self!

I continuously look forward to meeting all the students, parents, and guardians that will have the privilege of stepping into the wonderful world of learning French! 

M. Sorel 

Bonjour, je m'appelle M. Sorel.

I started my French journey by switching to French Immersion in Grade 7 as part of the 'extended' French program (which no longer exists!) and I never looked back. As a former teacher candidate of WCI and after numerous departures, I am happy to be staying at WCI for good. Primarily, I teach French Immersion History & Geography, however I have also taught French, Careers & Civics and Law courses. 

I am the computer facilitator at WCI - so if you have any issues with your devices or student account, I'm the guy to help! I also help coach curling in the winter months. I pride myself in getting to know each and every student and love to make (bad) jokes. 

When I'm not teaching in a classroom, you will find me cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs or playing board games with M.Beaudoin at the school Board Game Club - both have resulted in little success thus far.

Mme Mara

Salut!

A lover of languages, I grew up in a Czech family with traditional European customs. My family always believed that through travelling, we are able to best experience culture and history. Must be why my passion for travel, culture, and languages has never diminished. 

I am a product of the immersion program in London, and continued my studies in French and Music at Western University. Not knowing entirely what I wanted to do after post-secondary, I packed up my life and moved to Dubai, UAE to be a cabin crew member with Emirates Airlines for two years. I travelled the world, and eventually realized that home is where the heart grows fonder. I came back to pursue my Bachelor of Education once again at Western and quickly found a home here at WCI. 

When I am not in a classroom on the 3rd floor teaching French immersion, I can always be found on the track coaching track & field, or outside in general coaching cross-country. Running is my passion. Music is my passion. Travel is my passion. (*Parental leave until Sept. 2026)

Mlle Bernardez (Wasiak )

Bonjour tout le monde ! I am Mlle. Wasiak and a proud Red Devil.  I joined the team in 2023 and am part of the French, Science and Art Departments. I can be found all over the school teaching Junior French Immersion, Junior Sciences in both English and French and Junior Arts. I am also part of the knitting and crochet club at the school.  

Mme Barker

Salut, je m’appelle Mme Barker! My journey with French started in French Immersion, where I discovered my love for the language. I went on to study at Western University and had the incredible opportunity to participate in a French language exchange to Nice, France, which deepened my passion for learning and exploring Francophone cultures around the world.

In my classroom, I aim to spark a genuine interest in French and Francophone cultures worldwide through dynamic, hands-on learning. I focus on action-oriented tasks like role-playing, creative projects, and engaging with authentic materials such as music and cultural traditions. My goal is for students to have fun, feel inspired, and leave class with stronger language skills and a deeper appreciation for how language connects us to others and the world. Whether exploring global traditions, practicing conversational skills, or trying French recipes, I want students to see how exciting and rewarding learning French can be! 

When I am not in the classroom, I can be found coaching Cross Country and Track & Field. I grew up loving sports and still enjoy playing hockey and being outside with friends and family. I also love to spend time travelling and cooking new dishes. 

Mme Brown

Salut! Je m'appelle Mme Brown and I'm so excited to be a part of the French department at WCI. I was born and raised in a small town near London, ON and attended a full French elementary school and a French immersion high school. I did my undergraduate degree at Western in Health Science and Psychology and took many French courses throughout my time there. I then made a big move to New Zealand for teacher's college and fell so in love with the country that I stayed for a few years after to teach. I have also spent some time teaching in British Columbia and I'm glad to finally be back in my hometown.

My goal as a teacher is to have students become critical thinkers who enjoy coming to school everyday. I try to underpin my teaching with real-world scenarios and hands-on experiences as much as possible. My hope is that my love of learning inspires my students to become lifelong learners themselves.

Outside of the classroom, I love travelling to new places, trying out needlessly complicated recipes and playing in various sports leagues. I also love nature and the environment so you will often find me camping, hiking, kayaking or boating.

M. Ojeerally 

Salut, je m'appelle M. Ojeerally! 

This is my first year as a Red Devil, and I have already learned that WCI is the best place to be! I was born in England and raised in Canada, where I studied in French Immersion while also learning French through my father, who is from Mauritius. I continued my studies in French and Social Sciences at Kings University College.

That passion carried me abroad, where I taught Canadian students during the summers in France and Switzerland. Sharing those real-world experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for Francophone culture and traditions.

In my classroom, I want students to feel the same excitement for French that I do. We'll bring the language to life through dialogue, creative scenarios and games to make French more than just words on a page. 

Outside of school, I spend a lot of time on the soccer field as a semi-professional referee around Ontario, and I enjoy traveling around the world whenever I can! I can't wait to explore French with you this year!