Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Apr 30/04) - For Brenda Green, teaching comes second nature. And as instructor for the Caribou Outreach Learning Centre, Green has ably put her skills to work since starting there in November 2003.

Caribou Outreach Learning Centre Instructor Brenda Green reads a story to 11-month-old Autumn Kennedy. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"I spent last summer in the Yukon and took a road trip to Inuvik," said the former Vancouver Island resident of how she came to be in town. "About two hours from Dawson I was struck with the sense that I would be (in Inuvik) for a long time."

Answering an advertisement, the English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor and Yoga teacher believes she has found the perfect job.

"It's ideal because it's teaching but teaching in an environment that's supportive," she said of Caribou Outreach's philosophy.

"There's room to do a lot of creative things with those I teach."

The Caribou Outreach Learning Centre provides a place for people of all ages to improve upon their reading skills and for Canadian newcomers to learn English.

Green says there are a range of reasons for people to hone their reading skills.

"Some have an idea to enter college but need to complete their high school equivalency and others come because they are working on their life stories."

Variety equals opportunity

And the variety of students Green teaches gives her ample opportunity to customize her approach.

One of her regular students is an elder in his 70s, who 10 years ago taught himself to read and speak English.

"He was never formally educated, but he went out and did this amazing thing," said Green who is currently fine tuning the elder's comprehension. "(Teaching him) has been a lot of fun. And not only am I getting a chance to teach, but you get a whole lot back when you see them succeed."

In addition to running Inuvik's Family Literacy Program through the Healthy Babies organization, Green teaches ESL classes and gives her assistance with any kind of paperwork a newcomer may encounter.

"It's not just language skills that are important for ESL students, but there has to be cultural support, as well."

Sometimes, this cultural exchange can work both ways and, for Green, that's what makes the job interesting.

"Who would've thought that I'd be learning Arabic in the Arctic?"