Emilie Giroux

For Emilie Giroux, education is more than academics. It is connection, courage, and community-building. As Vice Principal with the Fort McMurray Public School Division, Emilie has spent the past 14 years helping students find confidence and belonging in a region that reflects the world.

Originally from Sydney, Nova Scotia, she and her husband moved to Fort McMurray in search of career opportunities. What they found was a community rich in cultural diversity and possibility. Emilie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Bachelor of Education from St. Francis Xavier University, and a Master of Education from Athabasca University. Her path has been shaped by leadership in learning and a belief that schools should reflect and respect every student who walks through their doors.

One of the most rewarding parts of her work is helping students grow outside of traditional roles. She enjoys organizing leadership opportunities and special events and loves seeing students take on responsibilities that showcase their potential. “Having students be an MC at an assembly, for example, extends learning beyond the classroom, helps to equip them with real-world skills, and allows their talents to shine,” she says. Her approach blends empowerment with guidance and creates meaningful experiences that students carry forward.

Emilie has also made a mark as a trailblazer. She helped establish the first Language Friendly School in Alberta, a model that recognizes and celebrates multilingualism as a strength rather than a barrier. The initiative supports families and students who are adapting to new languages and environments and creates a welcoming approach that extends beyond academics.

Her perspective on diversity is shaped by both professional experience and personal insight. “When I arrived here, I was an adult who spoke the mainstream language and only moved from one province to another, and even with those advantages, I still found it challenging,” she reflects. She empathizes deeply with families who move across borders and cultures, often facing unfamiliar languages, weather, food, and environments. She believes courage and perseverance define those journeys, and schools play an essential role in smoothing the path.

Emilie sees Language Friendly Schools as a way to build community by recognizing the needs of both students and their families. It supports cultural transition and gives families a sense of belonging in the school environment. She believes that when schools welcome families fully, the community becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.

Her own family has been part of what fuels her commitment. “I greatly value the diversity in our region, and I am glad that my children are growing up in a place that is far more multicultural than where I grew up,” she says. She is also a busy mother of two and a devoted “fur mom” to five pets, balancing leadership at home and in her career.

Looking ahead, Emilie plans to continue growing both personally and professionally. She hopes to pursue a Doctorate in Education and expand the Language Friendly Schools initiative to more schools in the region and across Alberta. She sees its success as a key factor in attracting and retaining families who want a welcoming environment in which to build their lives.

Emilie is also thoughtful about the challenges facing the region. She recognizes that the decline in property values has reduced the financial stability of many families and has had a ripple effect on the local economy. In her view, creating inclusive, stable, and welcoming environments in schools can help support the long-term strength of the community.

She sees her role as part of a broader effort to help the region adapt and grow. “The work I am doing with Language Friendly Schools contributes to a more welcoming community overall, which will encourage more newcomers to stay in this region to build their families and careers,” she says.

With a compassionate mindset and a dedication to inclusion, Emilie Giroux is helping shape the future of education in Fort McMurray. Her work gives students confidence, honours families, and builds a community where everyone can find their place.