Colette Cabessa

Female Graduate, 2009 (Kim)

Perhaps this anecdote will put into perspective Ms. Colette Cabessa's attitude toward her students. In Grade 3 (circa 2006), I had Colette as a French teacher. I vividly remember one extremely upsetting day when my mother had arrived before dismissal and was standing outside the door. Colette, or Mme. Colette as we referred to her at the time, saw my mother and told her that I could leave a few minutes before class ended because "it [was] not like [I] was listening anyway"-- an entirely untrue statement as is evident by me hearing that unprofessional comment.* Her ability to nurture students and create a comfortable and healthy learning environment is quite questionable, otherwise read as non-existent. Being in her class was nearly intolerable and it was a struggle for me participate, knowing that she thought so little of me.** Furthermore, hearing comments like these from teachers, who are supposedly meant to encourage and support you, really damaged my self-confidence. I wonder how others have felt in her class... *Further proof that I was paying attention to her lesson: That day we were learning about storytelling and comic strips. The example used was a picture of Red Ridding hood and the wolf in the forest. **There are many other instances when Colette made other students feel uncomfortable and belittled, but I chose to focus on my personal experience. (Aside: Personally, I have always regretted not having the courage to speak up during that time as it could have shaped the way she now treats and looks at students and maybe it wouldn't have affected me as much as it did.)

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