Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
RANKIN INLET - As school staff from across Nunavut gathered in Rankin Inlet for the annual Educational Leadership Program, David Serkoak could see a lot of changes looking over the crowd of faces.
The biggest difference he could see was that half of those faces are now Inuit.
Serkoak has been involved in Nunavut education for nearly two decades, as a vice-principal in Arviat and principal in Iqaluit. He is now teaching at the Nunavut Sivuniksavut college preparatory program in Ottawa.
"If I were to compare my first few years as a vice-principal in Arviat and as a teacher, there was very little Nunavut relevant involvement," he said.
"Over the course of 15 to 20 years, the change is quite fast."
This change has been about bringing Inuit culture and language back into schools. The annual program teaches staff about these elements and how to introduce them in the classroom.
The program brings in teachers, vice-principals, principals, and district staff together for a 10-day course on leading education in the North.
The course runs in phases over two summers, and is mandatory for aspiring principals and vice-principals.
Grace Main, a principal in Arviat, said Nunavut educators face a unique challenge in including Inuktitut in the classroom.
"This is the big picture," said Main. "It isn't just about getting through another year."
Inuktitut got a boost this year with the largest graduating class of Nunavut Teacher Education Program graduates.
Main will be getting seven of those graduates in her school, and her goal for the year will be to keep those teachers happy.
"I want every one of those teachers to feel great about what they've done," said Main.
The program starts with a cultural component, with participants staying out on the land over night, learning from elders' traditional knowledge.
Participants then head into the classroom, each day focusing on a new topic relevant to education in Nunavut.
The courses were held at the Maani Ulujuk high school July 2 to 12.
