INUVIK
For Joel McAlister, teaching is a two-way street.

Joel McAlister, senior instructor in the environment and natural resources technology program at Inuvik's Aurora College campus, received an award for mentorship. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

"I believe I can be taught as much as I teach the students," said McAlister, who received a mentor of the year award for his work at Aurora College.

"I feel it's a two-way street, where we can learn things together. That's when it's most dynamic and most fun for me."

McAlister has been senior instructor in the environment and natural resources technology program at the Aurora Campus in Inuvik since 1998. More than 40 students have graduated the program during his tenure 

The award is a joint initiative by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists Canada and the ArcticNet Student Association, honouring exemplary mentors within Canada's polar science community.

McAlister is the first resident from Northern Canada to receive the award.

 "Joel's influence on the research community of the western Canadian Arctic is extensive," stated Diane Reed, Aurora College's vice president of education and training, in a news release.

"In their letters of support for this nomination, past students frequently mentioned how they wouldn't have the careers they have now without Joel's never-ending encouragement, support and mentorship."

McAlister said that receiving the award was a shock and humbling. What honoured him the most was that his nomination was generated mostly by students and researchers who have worked in the Beaufort Delta and Western Arctic.

"That's where it really hit home," said McAlister.

Great mentors in his own life have helped him become a mentor himself, he said.

"To be a good mentor you had to have been mentored," said McAlister. "With us in the Beaufort community, our elders here in the region. really mentored me and showed me to be open and be receptive of new information and things that can be done in different ways."

Teachers have to be flexible, he said, adding there's no silver bullet to doing the job well.

"Be respectful, be honest with your students," said McAlister.

"If you're honest with your students, they'll respect that and they will be honest with you."

Plus, working in the Beaufort Delta means students have have the best classrooms in the world.

"Literally, we have the tundra, we have the delta, we have the ocean, we have the mountains," said McAlister. "What better place is there to learn than around here?"

For now, McAlister has a break until the new year, when his classes will resume.

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