Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Jun 11/01) - Alaittuq high school principal Donald Clark of Rankin Inlet is often hesitant to speak publicly about his personal accomplishments, but now his former students have spoken for him.
Clark is the first recipient of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS) Award for Teaching Excellence.
NS was founded in 1985 by the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut to help Inuit youth prepare for the workforce or post-secondary education after high school.
The announcement of Clark's selection came during the NS program's recent graduation ceremonies in Ottawa.
Raurri Qajaaq Ellsworth, chairperson of the NS board of directors, said the award was created after an alumni conference this past year.
Conference delegates called upon Nunavut high schools to set higher academic standards so students would be better prepared for college or university.
"The NS board decided to establish the annual award to emphasize the positive," said Ellsworth.
"Mr. Clark is highly regarded by his former students and we felt he was highly deserving of this award," he added.
For his part, Clark said he was happy to realize the students would think of him in that light.
"It's gratifying, but it's hard to put into words what a teacher feels inside when former students say they were the most influential person to them during their school years," said Clark.
"Who knows, sometimes, what part of your approach impacts students?
"But, I think maybe some of it might have to do more with extracurricular activities outside the school than in the classroom, but that's all part of teaching too."
