Sara Langevin is a beloved storyteller for our HLSL morning storytelling sessions in Rimouski. A lover of books since childhood, she has spent the past 15 years teaching ESL at the Cégep level in Laval, Granby, and now Rimouski. She uses her passion for literature and languages to help students gain confidence in English. After moving to Rimouski with her family, Sara found community through HLSL, especially meaningful during the post-Covid period and life with a new baby. Before settling down, she traveled widely by pet-sitting and house-sitting—a spirit of exploration she still brings to her life in the region.
Where are you from? Where is home for you?
Ah that question… I never know what to answer! I was born in Comox, British-Columbia, but I lived in Nova Scotia and eventually, moved to the Laurentians in Quebec. But most of my family is from the Eastern Townships, and I think that’s where most of my roots are even to this day. And for the last 7 years, home has been Pointe-au-Père!
Did you know about poutine before you arrived? Best place to get it if you do know?
I am a traitor in the eyes of many Quebecers. I don’t like poutine!! It’s a mortal sin in some families, but I can’t stand soggy fries and I don’t like the cheese/sauce mix. I’ll take a lobster roll any day, though!
What is your favourite place in the Lower Saint Lawrence, and why?
There are so many places to discover around our region. I think it’s one of the reasons why I love living here so much. There’s always somewhere new to discover. However, I think my favourite place is hanging out by the beach in Pointe-au-Père, right pass the lighthouse heading East, with both of my feet in the water and the wind in my face! I was probably a beluga in a past life!
Your favourite pastime?
A pastime? With two young kids? Hahaha. Parents will get the feeling. Actually, with my kids getting a bit older I’ve started knitting more regularly! I can’t sew for the life of me, but I can knit in a straight line. I also love a good historical fiction novel. I also used to help my partner brew homemade beer at home, which was really fun! It’s been harder to get good ingredients though, so that’s been on the back-burner for a while.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being able to teach-part time, have a house by the St-Lawrence, and plant lupines everywhere like in Miss Rumphius, a childhood favourite of mine!
Lots of good family meals as well, and adventures-galore to different parts of the world because I’d have more time (and money!)
What talent would you most like to have?
I really don’t know…Is having better cardio a talent? The only thing that comes to mind is being more capable in construction. I have trouble figuring out how things can go together, function logically in terms of angles, strength, etc… I’d love to be more of a handy woman.
What is your greatest achievement?
I’ve been an ESL teacher at the cégep level now for almost 15 years…This is going to sound corny but every time I can get a student to trust themselves and get over some of their anxiety to speak English, I am so proud of that shared experience! I can’t skip my little family as well. We’ve built a wonderful life for ourselves and we are a great team.
What is your motto?
Go with the flow! It’s always been a part of my life (thank you to my parents!). It’s taken away anxiety; it reminds me of the place water holds in my life; it’s gotten me through 2 (harder) pregnancies and I even have it on a t-shirt!
Biggest regret?
This was completely out of my control but not being able to travel during my second maternity leave because of Covid. We wanted to travel and have more time to spend with extended family in France and in BC. We were also supposed to get married haha! Plans change. We spent a lot of time by the water instead, in our little family unit.
