Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Jun 08/01) - Going to school can be a daunting task, especially for those children who find it hard to keep up with their classmates.
That's where Mabel English comes in. She assists students one at a time, or in very small groups, at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school.
English said many of her students just have trouble settling down and concentrating in regular, and larger, classes. She has hit upon a solution for that.
"With me, they have to be very quiet and settle down," English said.
"If they're noisy I just send them back to their classroom, and they sure don't like that," she said. "You can hear a pin drop, it's so quiet in here."
English said the students enjoy being there.
"They're so eager every time I go to pick them up. They're so happy to come."
She said many of her students also are very shy and have low self-confidence, and they don't want to make mistakes, especially in front of their classmates.
"It's like they're afraid to learn," English said. "I just tell them we all make mistakes."
English helps students with schoolwork as needed, but also has them doing activities. Grade one students, for instance, get to colour.
English teaches the older kids activities such as beading and finger knitting. Students have made little drums, pincushions, and at least one dreamcatcher.
"I tell them stories too, about living off the land, and how I was brought up on the land. It wasn't easy," English explained.
English began at the school in November under the Elder Worker Project. She said that many of the students she started with can now keep up with their classmates and no longer need her tutoring.
"I'm really happy with what I'm doing. It's a great experience."
English said education is important.. For several years she taught Gwich'in language.
