Marilyn Ricketts-Lindsay came to Rankin Inlet in December 2001 to join her fiance, Amil.

She contacted Leo Ussak elementary school principal Cheryl Forbes early in 2002 to volunteer her services while awaiting her permanent residency papers in Canada.

With Forbes almost always on the lookout for volunteers, it wasn't long before Lindsay (the holder of a bachelor of science in management studies and international relations) was a fixture at the school.

"Marilyn started coming every day and it just continued on all year," says Forbes.

"She continued on this year helping us conduct reading tests, and then started taking groups of seven kids for reading intervention to improve their reading levels."

With Lindsay's addition to the school, about 50 kids a day started getting help to read at their own level.

A number were found to have progressed as much as four grade levels when they were re-tested at Christmas.

Forbes says Lindsay's efforts and the teachers' focus on reading skills in the classroom combined to produce the improvements.

CG&T Minister Manitok Thompson and Nunavut Liberal MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell helped expedite Lindsay's permanent residency papers.

"We knew once she had her papers she'd be in demand, but we asked her to stay on until the end of the year and she agreed.

"The students who reached their grade level now work on their comprehension."

Marilyn and Amil went home to Jamaica last April of 2002 to be wed before returning to Rankin.

Lindsay has enjoyed her time at the school so much, she's considering teaching as a full-time vocation.

"The climate here is extremely different from that of Jamaica, but I've learned to dress warmly," says Lindsay.

"I really like Rankin because it's such a close-knit community. Everybody is so friendly and accommodating."

Lindsay says she's happy to have played a part in helping students improve their reading skills and enjoys watching their progression.

"When you point out to them just how important reading is, and work to boost their self-confidence, they tend to become a lot more interested and read more independently at home."