Yoland Bouchard

Collège Mont Notre Dame de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Quebec)

Mr. Bouchard has based his innovative pedagogy on a deep-seated desire to understand his students and to instill in them the essential historical knowledge and skills for understanding Canada's history. His musical approach – whereby the student discovers and analyzes songs in their respective historical contexts – allows adolescents to connect with their age-specific fields of interest. They take ownership of their own past by conducting research as student-historians, not only to get closer to the mindsets of their ancestors, but more importantly, to take a stance of safeguarding the more intangible legacy that is music. The student-developed analytical tools will help them to better appreciate and protect our nation's past, and to understand the Canada of today, as well as of tomorrow.