Josiane Bergeron is the 2022 recipient of the honorable mention of the Association québécoise de pédagogie collégiale

The Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles is proud to announce that Ms. Josiane Bergeron, biology teacher at the Îles-de-la-Madeleine campus, received the honorable mention from the Association québécoise de pédagogie collégiale (AQPC) for the college. This prize, awarded next June at the next symposium in Laval, highlights the excellence and professionalism of the winners.

Josiane Bergeron obtained the honorable mention for the creation of the educational garden at the Îles-de-la-Madeleine campus. Since the beginning of the garden in 2015, the objective was to introduce young people to ecological agriculture, but the project quickly expanded. Not only has it created a pleasant living environment and increased biodiversity on campus, but it has also positioned the establishment as a leader in sustainable development in the Magdalen Islands with spinoffs in the external pedagogy for several programs, in supplying the cafeteria and as a lever for international student mobility.

Head of the ACTES committee (formerly Brundtland green committee), Josiane Bergeron is also a reference in outdoor education. The garden is also used by teachers as a living outdoor classroom. Multiple educational activities have emerged: laboratory on earthworms in biology, sowing workshop in food science, drawing session in plastic arts, object of analysis in a literature course, etc. The income generated by the sale of vegetables also makes it possible to finance part of the student mobility activities.

Involved since the beginning of the project, Josiane Bergeron has continued the development by constantly adding new objectives. The garden is cultivated by students, staff members and the Magdalen community. «It is a stimulating, original and multidisciplinary learning environment. This makes it possible to develop the skills of young people in ecological gardening and to raise awareness in the college community of the benefits of local and organic food. We even increased the number of fresh vegetables served in the campus cafeteria! » says Josiane Bergeron.

The garden is also used to introduce several groups of people to ecological gardening and healthy eating habits. Groups from the CPE, via the primary school or even the Center for Vocational Training and General Education for Adults have, for example, used the space for activities. Part of the cultivated area is also accessible to members of the community, upon registration.

The Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles would like to congratulate Ms. Josiane Bergeron for obtaining this prize, which she fully deserved for her involvement and dynamism.