Alaittuq High hires full-time Inuktitut instructor
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Nov 01/00) - The first full-time Inuktitut instructor has been hired at Alaittuq high school.
Mariah Aliyak will be the language arts teacher starting Nov. 14.
Principal Donald Clark says Inuktitut teachers have taught at the school before, but they haven't had a full-time Inuktitut language arts teacher since moving into the new building in 1998.
"We thought we had a lady from another community ready to come in last year, but family commitments prevented her from taking the position."
Clark says the lack of applications for the position the past two years has been disappointing.
"Maybe there was hesitation on the part of some individuals due to the misconception that you need a teacher's licence or degree to apply for the position.
"In fact, the District Education Authority can grant a Letter of Authority for people with the skills to do the job.
"This position could be filled by someone who doesn't have a certified teaching degree, but in this case, Mariah (Aliyak) is a graduate of the Eastern Arctic Teaching program."
Clark says the debate continues in some circles as to whether an Inuktitut language or cultural instructor requires a teacher's diploma.
He says, in his opinion, Aliyak will bring more to the job because of her teacher's training.
More work needs to be done on the curriculum schedule before it's decided what grades Aliyak will be teaching.
"Where we're on a semester system, it's going to be a little bit awkward for this semester. Come January, we'll definitely have Inuktitut at the Grade 9 level and then it will be offered through the high school grades."
Aliyak's hiring does not mean the school will discontinue efforts to have more Inuit teachers on staff.
"Anybody who wants to apply at Alaittuq high are welcome to. There's a possibility we could have more Inuit staff teaching at the high school in the future, which would be a positive step."
