About Me

My name is April Cottreau and I am the grades 5-6 teacher and administrator at Avalon.  My students call me Mrs. C. or Mrs. Cottreau (pronounced a bit like gusto).  This is the third time I have moved to Port Hardy and taught at AACA since 1993, altogether making this my 15th year at Avalon, and my 27th year of teaching.  Over the years, I have taught various subjects at all grade levels up to grade 12, but my favorite subjects are English and Mathematics.

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My husband and I are originally from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  After graduating from Burman University (CUC) in 1993, we began our teaching journey at Avalon.  Four years later we moved to Alberta where we started our family of two sons, Ferris and Cameron; after teaching at College Heights Christian Academy for a year, we returned to Nova Scotia.  In 2001 we returned to AACA and raised our beloved children here for the next decade.  Once again we returned to our home province, NS, in 2011 and taught at Sandy Lake Academy for 7 years.  For the past three years I have been a substitute teaching in the local public schools and learning centre.

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I continue to embrace teaching and leadership as my calling and plan to serve this school and community with my whole heart.  From our home on the east coast, we return now to our second home here on the west coast.  It's great to be back to see what God has in store for us for Chapter 3!

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GOALS

To let Jesus Christ lead this school through me

To dedicate my skills and experience to serve whenever and wherever I am needed

To strengthen and empower those around me so we can all continue to grow

To add more peace, love, joy and beauty to the workplace

My Favorite Things

Music with good harmony & rhythm

Words that stir my soul (stories, scripture, poems, lyrics, jokes...and yes, puns)

Food that you shouldn't eat

Playing games with family & friends (Jackbox, Super Scrabble)

Ambiance (campfires, decorations, holidays, music)

Organizing, problem solving, and checking off my to-do list

My Favorite Scripture

This is a great summary of the Bible, God's character, and my life purpose:

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Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.

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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

Classroom Rules

1. Do not stop students from learning.

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2. Do not stop teacher from teaching.

Communication

I believe that communication is essential between parents and teachers.  I am here to answer any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas that you may have.  We are a team striving to make the lives of our children enriched.  You can see me any day immediately after school. If you need more than just a couple of minutes, please make an appointment with me.   If you have something important to share and can’t reach me during school hours my phone number is 250-949-0310 (until 9:00 p.m.)