UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

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 Steven Langlois BA ’92, BEd ‘93

 Rockin’ and rappin’ for literacy as 'Étienne'

Ever since arriving on the educational music scene with the debut self-titled cassette "Étienne," students all over the world have been rockin' and hip hoppin' to the distinctive beat of Étienne.

"When I released the first album I was confident of what the music could do, having witnessed the success with my own students, but I was never prepared for the overwhelming response it has received worldwide, " said Steven Langlois who earned his BA in French in 1992 and his BEd in 1993.

Langlois is a French teacher with the Norwich District High School in Ontario who records and performs as Étienne. It all started with a few songs that I wrote for my own students… some teachers found out about it and… ‘Étienne’ is the result.”

About juggling a full-time teaching career with a full-time singing career he says, "the rewards are there when you get the email at the end of the day or receive a letter from a student or teacher who writes just to say 'thank you'."

Étienne received the Favourite Children’s Artist Award at the 2004 Canadian Music Week (CMW) Indies Awards celebration, hosted by MTV. In 2003, his CD "C'est le temps" was the winner of "CMW Children's Album of the Year" award.

Langlois was the honoured recipient of the 2003 Helen B. St. John Award for "outstanding professional contribution and leadership in the field of Modern languages" at the 2003 Spring Conference of the Ontario Modern Language Teachers Association. He is the youngest teacher to be given this honour, an honour that has been described as being akin to a lifetime achievement award.

Étienne's CD "C'est le temps" and his popular video "Rockumentaire: les vidéos d'Étienne" were chosen as 2002 Parents’ Choice Award Winners. These awards are bestowed upon products that meet and exceed standards set by educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents, and yes, kids themselves.

What makes Langlois music so unique is that while children are being entertained by his hi-hop music they are also learning literacy and language skills in English, French and Spanish.

Excerpted from Canadian Music Week press release dated March 5 2004 and from www.educorock.com