Hay River Reserve (May 17/04) - Bruce Green says the key to being an adult educator is to stay positive.

"Adults are very easily discouraged," he says. "They need as much encouragement as any regular student."

Bruce Green is the adult educator at the Sunrise Adult Learning Centre on the Hay River Reserve. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

For the last three years, Green has been the adult educator at the Sakaia Goghagonete Koe -- the Sunrise Adult Learning Centre -- on the Hay River Reserve.

It is important to encourage students, he says. "You emphasize you can't avoid mistakes, but you learn from your mistakes and go on."

It is a good feeling to see adults reach their goals, he adds.

"It is very rewarding, because they're people who, by and large, have lots of potential and it's great to see them realize it."

Some former students have gone on to work on the reserve -- one as a homecare worker and another as an assistant at the reserve's school.

His students range in age from their early 20s to their 50s.

Green, who is originally from British Columbia, first taught as an adult educator 33 years ago in Chesterfield Inlet.

"I ended up going into teaching to take a break," he says. "I actually had a biochemistry degree."

He later taught science at Diamond Jenness secondary school in Hay River for 24 years.

When the job opened up on the Hay River Reserve, he considered it a good opportunity and gave it a try.

"I'm glad I did. It worked out well," he says. "It's been a change of pace. It opened up a new area for me."

The K'atlodeeche First Nation has been very supportive of adult education and education in general, he adds.

The adult learning centre offers two programs.

One is adult literacy and basic education.

The other is a trades access program.

"If students succeed in that program and pass a test, they're eligible for trade apprenticeship programs," Green explains.

Although run by the K'atlodeeche First Nation, the centre is affiliated with Aurora College.

Green says culture is important at the centre, noting the South Slavey language is taught to all students.

Although the language is taught by a community member, Green says he is also learning it. "I can't really say I speak it, but I'm picking it up."

At the end of April, seven students graduated at the centre.

Throughout the year, a dozen in all participated in various parts of the program. One went on to Aurora College.

Aside from being an adult educator, Green -- who celebrates his 60th birthday today -- has two other claims to fame. He is the father of Brendan Green, a nationally known biathlon skier, and of Moira Green, who inspired the Robert Munsch children's book Moira's Birthday.

"In skiing circles, I'm known as Brendan's father," Green jokes. "In literary circles, I'm known as Moira's father."