Our Community
Our Alumni
The unofficial motto amongst TFS alumni is "friends for life"
By the time they graduate from TFS, most of our alumni classes have been together as classmates and friends since Kindergarten. Among the things they have in common is a world-class education, an insatiable love of learning and a wider perspective on the complex world we live in.
TFS Alumni are a global community of over 3,500 individuals, representing diverse industries and languages. At TFS, nurturing connections with alumni is a priority. Each year, the TFS Alumni Association collaborates with the TFS Foundation to organize networking and social events spanning from downtown Toronto to London, UK.
Moreover, our alumni frequently return to TFS to provide career guidance, share university experiences, and mentor current students.
Just as they did during their time at TFS, we encourage our alumni to consider our school their lifelong home away from home.
To learn more about TFS’ Alumni Association, please contact:
Moreover, our alumni frequently return to TFS to provide career guidance, share university experiences, and mentor current students.
Just as they did during their time at TFS, we encourage our alumni to consider our school their lifelong home away from home.
To learn more about TFS’ Alumni Association, please contact:
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Agata Kazimierski
Director, Operations & Alumni Relations
416-484-6533 ext. 4472
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Rebecca Schmidtke, Alumni Officer rschmidtke@tfs.ca 416-484-6533 ext. 4563 |
Stay Connected
Connect with us on LinkedIn and join our TFS Connect platform to gain access to our online directory of TFS Alumni around the world! Reconnect with old friends, reach out to a new connection for mentorship and career guidance, hear about our exciting TFS events to keep you connected to our community!
Connect. Mentor. Celebrate.
Join TFS Connect Today!
Join TFS Connect Today!
TFS CLASS NOTES
We want to hear what you are up to! Help keep our community connected by sharing your stories through TFS Class Notes. Published in our community magazine Entre Nous, Class Notes is a great way to stay connected to friends and former classmates from TFS all around the world.
If you have a submission you’d like to share, email us at classnotes@tfs.ca.TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
To order a copy of your TFS Transcript or Diploma & Records, please use this request form.
President, TFSAA
Alumni of Distinction 2019
Alumni of Distinction
List of 38 items.
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Tanya Baker '98, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2024
"I was always intellectually curious about other cultures and countries. I love to travel and I have many friends and colleagues and connections from all over the world. Much of that has stemmed from TFS because we were in a world where people came from everywhere. I was constantly exposed to different people from different places and that shaped who I was and who I am today."Read More -
Jessica Thalmann '06, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2024
"TFS helped me to be open-minded. I really developed a curiosity about other people, other places, other perspectives, and an empathy for others. Empathy is what I mostly connected to and still connect to. I’d also say community was a really big thing. That like-minded community, DIY-kind of spirit was really active when I was a student. So giving back to the community is something that I still continue now in my professional practice."Read More -
Jonathan Mott-Trille '84, The Nancy S. Cohen Distinguished Service Award Recipient 2024
"From the moment I joined TFS, it opened my eyes to the possibilities of doing things and seeing things in a different way. My classmates were from all kinds of backgrounds, my teachers were from around the world, and the curriculum was both international and from Ontario. There was this fearless openness to new ways of doing things that was very influential on my life."Read More -
Dr. Christopher Chan '89, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2023
Read More"Everything starts off in the basement of education. The foundation needs to be built strongly to allow the building to actually grow." -
Tina Bouffet '11, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2023
"I still keep in contact with a number of TFS staff because they were people who were not only invested in my learning but in my self-questioning and my development as a person, and finding support like that is quite rare."Read More -
Nancy Cohen '78, The Distinguished Service Award Recipient 2023
"My experience at TFS helped me acquire leadership skills and encouraged me to be an engaged citizen, to embrace new concepts and to advocate for new ideas."Read More -
Celeste Yim '14, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2022
"I really found ways to do comedy at school. By the time I went to university, I had been training to go out in the world and start pursuing writing and comedy. I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to do that without the years of encouragement, failure and rehearsal I had at TFS. The school was a very special and creative home for me."Read More -
Peter Biro '78, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2022
"It was at TFS that I was first exposed to some of the great writers, the major thinkers, and most consequentially, to the insight that complex problems are best understood and addressed through interdisciplinary inquiry."Read More -
Brett Thalmann ‘03, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2021
“I credit TFS for all of my successes. They gave me the tools for critical thinking and encouraged me to ask the right questions, to challenge the status quo, and not to take anything for granted.”Read More -
Brian Shoichet ‘81, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2021
“For me, TFS has always been a school that indulged a ‘giddy goofiness,’ a delight in taking educated risks and well-meaning creative transgressions towards achieving something of lasting value for others.”Read More -
Larissa Parker ‘12, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2020
“I had great teachers at TFS who helped me to think creatively and helped guide me to find my niche in environmental subjects.”Read More -
Yvan Baker ‘96, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2020
“The French curriculum, work ethic, discipline, teamwork, and communication skills I learned at TFS were formative experiences that had a significant impact on my career, who I am, and what I’ve been able to do for others.”Read More -
Julia Bentley '78, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2019
"What I find most satisfying in my current role is the privilege of representing Canada abroad and being able to connect people in Canada and Malaysia in ways which they find professionally rewarding. "Read More -
Rebeccah Love '08, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2019
"We need to be looking out for each other, to build community where we can. Empathy has never been more important but no matter one’s circumstances, it is essential to stay engaged. "Read More -
Dr. Maral Ouzounian ‘94, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2018
"At TFS, we were encouraged to set strong academic goals, and above all, TFS taught us that we could achieve anything."Read More -
Gabriela Stafford ‘13, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2018
“In my experience, TFS teachers go above and beyond to make sure that students have what they need in order to succeed.”Read More -
Julia Rucklidge '88, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2017
"At TFS, the teachers always encouraged us to understand the principles we studied rather than memorize content. It was a challenging and inspiring way to learn."Read More -
Dalton Kellett '11, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2017
“There were 20 or 30 of us who went all the way through TFS together. That sense of community was incredible and gave me an appreciation for the importance of cultivating relationships."Read More -
Gabriela Maj '99, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2016
"The collective focus at TFS on hard work and achievement, and the innovative and integrated curriculum laid a strong foundation for future chapters in my life."Read More -
Julia St-Louis Saleh (Ivonoffski) '05, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2016
Read More"TFS encourages you to aspire. Being surrounded by people with tremendous drive means that striving to excel becomes the norm." -
Leigh Salsberg '94, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2015
Read More"I think it is important to appreciate what we have and try to turn it into actions somehow. Even if the actions seem small, they can make a real difference, as they are actions that otherwise wouldn't have been done. Incorporate your TFS education into your life in a meaningful way." -
Cara Cheung '06, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2015
Read More“I really enjoyed my IB art show experience. It affirmed my love for fashion because it gave me the opportunity to explore my interest through a structured environment, with an end goal that allowed others to connect with my work." -
Dr. Ian D'Agata '80, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2014
Read More"TFS gave me the opportunity to learn French, write it well and learn more about France. To this day, France is still my home away from home. TFS also allowed for the establishment of some pretty amazing friendships and bonds. There is no doubt that what I am today is in part due to TFS and the way it modeled and shaped me." -
Emily Cole '04, Young Alumni Award Recipient 2014
Read More"I was always between science and arts, but I had teachers who were 100% supportive and accepted my diverse interests. I would encourage students to pursue whatever major they feel suits their curiosity coming out of high school." -
Steven Shehori '89, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"I was really honoured to be asked to host TFS' 50th Anniversary Gala. It was especially flattering because I wasn't the best student. It was only later that I realized TFS helped me develop the skills that are the foundation for everything I've done." -
Molly Shoichet '83, PhD, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"I get to work with some of the world's best neuroscientists, neurosurgeons and cancer biologists. We must have superb science and then the backing of the business world to translate it to peoples' lives. That's the dream." -
Walter Dorn '79, PhD, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"Dad put a huge value on education. He'd heard great things about TFS and was keen to give his son the best education. I'm so grateful for what I've experienced in life, in the field and in Canada, including the preparation I received through TFS." -
Lara Brady '01, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"I had such tremendous teachers. Across the board, our teachers pushed us and did a great deal to cultivate a real confidence in us as students." -
Justin Poy '87, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"TFS taught me to have a strong passion and work ethic for doing things I really liked to do. During high school I was there seven days a week, setting up art exhibits, building sets and rehearsing for plays. Those were some of the best years of my life. It has greatly influenced who I am today." -
Dr. Kristen Davidge '97, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"The beauty of the school is the relationships you forge with your teachers. It was something very special and unique. They opened our eyes to so much more than the subject at hand.” -
Christina Piovesan '94, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"Being a first-generation Canadian at TFS had a big impact on me. Everyone in my close circle of friends was also first-generation. It was a great experience to share culture and tradition." -
Dr. Michael Dan '78, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"Canada's First Nations form the bedrock for this country and we never really explored their story well enough. By giving them better business opportunities through Gemini Power, I want to change the paradigm of how large corporations do business with First Nations." -
Rita Leistner '82, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"I want to help tell people's stories, especially those who have suffered most from war, and I am constantly exploring new ways to do this. My job is putting together the pieces of the puzzle that show what is going on in the world. One story at a time, we try to educate ourselves and others through that." -
Albert Haldemann '84, PHD, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2013
Read More"There's something innate in human beings about wanting to climb a mountain, not because it's there, but to simply explore, push boundaries, learn new things. Space is our next mountain. Learning about it teaches us about ourselves and our place in the universe. If I'm contributing to that, I think it's worthwhile." -
Dr. Karandeep Sonu Gaind '86, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2012
Read More"I believe what TFS has taught is the philosophy that education is not just about passively receiving information and it does not end in the classroom. Real scholarship and education is about learning even as we teach. It's about integrating diverse ideas, sometimes from different areas, in unique ways to impact the world... I use to this day the principles I learned at TFS." -
Dr. Samantha Nutt '87, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2011
Read More"Upon accepting the honour, Dr. Nutt reflected on the role her bilingual education has played, not only in the advocacy that has been a trademark of her career, but in her ability to listen to the children and families for whom she is so passionate."
—ANDREW GRAHAM '01, TFS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ON DR. NUTT'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH -
Martha Baillie '77, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2010
Read More“Toronto French School, I feel, has stated unequivocally that it values those who labour precariously in the arts. It tells me that TFS values determination and openness to the unexpected as truly as it did when I was one of its students." -
Carole Piovesan '95, Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient 2009
"TFS is a school that delivers an international perspective. ...Carole would agree that the uniquely international education we received at this school has been pivotal to her success."Read More
—LISA RICHLER '95 INTRODUCING HER FRIEND AND AWARD RECIPIENT CAROLE PIOVESAN
