Yellowknife (Feb 24/03) - When Lisi Kavik was a teenager, all she could think about was having fun. She didn't want to go to school, so she dropped out.

Today, she's the co-principal of Nuiyak School and she's trying to keep her students from making the same mistakes she did.

Lisi Kavik said the biggest mistake of her life was dropping out of high school. Today, as co-principal of Nuiyak School in Sanikiluaq, she stresses the importance of education. -

"It was the biggest mistake I ever made. I found myself struggling to get anywhere," said Kavik.

The first course she ever took on her journey towards a bachelor of education degree was in 1989. She's still working on it today, and only has four courses left.

Kavik is dedicated to improving herself and to her community.

She was born on the end of the Belcher Islands in the 1960s at what was called South Camp. Her family was moved by the federal government in 1964 to a place called Great Whale River about 100 kilometres east in Northern Quebec. It was in Great Whale River that Kavik attended Federal Day school. By 1972, the family was back on the island, living in Sanikiluaq.

"It was just starting to develop and there weren't too many houses," said Kavik.

After dropping out of high school and regretting it, Kavik began taking correspondence courses. She expects to have her bachelor of education degree by next Christmas.

It took a long time for Kavik to get where she is today. She started off by working as office manager for the district education authority back in 1983. As time passed, she started working part-time as a classroom assistant until finally becoming a kindergarten teacher.

In 1997 Kavik was the vice-principal of Nuiyak school and in 2001 she was named a co-principal.

She couldn't be happier. Kavik is proud of her accomplishments. She has two daughters and one is expected to graduate from high school this June.

She says the job is very fulfilling.

"It's challenging. It's fun. It keeps me on my feet. The most challenging part for me is motivating high school students to stay in school," said Kavik.

She admits she's a little tougher on the high school students than those in lower grades but she thinks it's worth it.

Kavik likes working with high school students so much that she hopes to follow them in 2006 when their new school in Sanikiluaq opens. Right now, Nuiyak School is for all students, 275 in total, from kindergarten to Grade 12.