2026 Welcoming Ottawa Ambassadors

Khadidja Ouarab’s English teacher, Agata Lerch, truly changed her situation at a very important time in her life.

In April 2023, Khadidja immigrated from Algeria, through Canada’s express entry program. She had worked for a decade as a database administrator in her home country.

She turned to the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) for job search assistance. Three months later, she started working at the Canada Border Services Agency as an IT Analyst. She worked very hard, and after four months, was promoted to an Acting Team Lead position.

Extraordinarily, her first job interview in Canada was successful! But there would still be challenges ahead. “I was under a lot of pressure,” remembers Khadidja. “My job required a C level in English. Without it, I could lose my position as my contract was close to ending. I was stressed and not confident in my English.”

After completing the English exam three times, and achieving a level B, she faced a difficult predicament.

Through the YMCA, she signed up for ESL evening classes, twice weekly. Although there were 35 students in the online classes, she could have one-on-one meetings with her teacher for extra help and guidance.

“That’s when Agata stepped in and really supported me,” explains Khadidja. She lent a hand in ways that were beyond simply increasing her English fluency. “She taught me how to approach the exam, not just to improve the language, but also how to organize myself.”

“She came to me for help because there was so much at stake,” remembers Agata.

Agata is truly passionate about teaching newcomers English. Thirty-one years ago, she immigrated from Poland, with a Masters in Linguistics (and a husband and cat in tow).

Agata first worked as an ESL supply teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board, where she fondly remembers driving around the city to different schools, with a “little binder” in her car. She acquired a permanent, part-time position in 2003. She has taught every level of ESL.

She is inspired by the tenacity of many of her newcomer students who give 150% to learn a new language. “My job is my hobby,” remarks Agata. “I love teaching English!”

“ESL classes are much more than teaching a language,” she adds. “Language opens the door, but confidence helps the students to walk through it. I see an incredible potential in my beloved students. Sometimes there are challenges and obstacles, but I try to create an atmosphere of joy.”

Lucky to have had great mentors when she came to Canada, she reflects on the important role she can play in a newcomer’s experience: “I think it’s now my duty not just to give a lesson and teach grammar, but to also make feel people feel welcomed.”

As a self-professed night owl she recognizes that many of her students work full-time before coming to an evening class. “I know how hard it is for them to see the future, feel that the work will pay off, but sometimes it takes one word, one gesture to move forward. If my students leave more self-confident and relaxed, I feel that I have achieved my little part in their success.”

Agata is keenly aware of the obstacles that newcomers learning a new language may face. “Lots of my students have a great deal of life experience, wisdom and education,” says Agata. “Some already speak three or four languages. When they feel they have a lack of words, it’s diminishing. They have complex ideas and thoughts yet can’t express them. “I encourage them to focus less on their mistakes and more on communicating. I hope I have created that sense of support and community through my classes.”

She tells her students not to panic and that they’ll eventually get it. “I hope that I can show them that they are appreciated for who they are,” says Agata. “We are all very hard on ourselves and sometimes it’s okay to make mistakes.”

“She didn’t just teach me like in a normal class,” explains Khadidja. “She took time to help me, especially by doing mock interview simulations. These sessions felt very real and helped me understand what to expect. She corrected me in a kind way and always encouraged me, even when I was struggling. Little by little, I started to feel more confident.”

She did the exam on July 29, 2025. It went down to the wire, as she received the results on July 31, and her contract wound end August 1.

As Agata was overseas at this time, she made Khadidja promise to email her about the results.

Agata believed in Khadidja’s from the start. She admires her focus and intensity when striving to reach her goals. “I was so proud of her,” exclaims Agata. “She is so well organized, good at giving presentations, supportive of other students and humble.”

And now they can both celebrate her success as she passed the exam with a level C!

“My manager was also very happy,” remarks Khadidja. “She worked overtime just to complete the paperwork.”

As renowned author and activist, Maya Angelou once said: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Khadidja knew what she needed to do and her hard work paid off. The impact Agata had on her went beyond simply helping her to improve her English. “What touched me the most is how she made me feel as a person,” remarks Khadidja.

“Agata was always open, patient and positive,” concludes Khadidja. “She created a safe space where I was not afraid to make mistakes. Because of her, I felt more comfortable not only in English, but also in my new life in Ottawa. For me, she is more than a teacher. She is someone who truly cares and helps others succeed.”