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Two educators earn national awards

Andrew Rankin
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, March 4, 2010

INUVIK - Jason Dayman had his struggling students in mind when he started an on-the-land program at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School about eight years ago.

Dayman, the school's vice-principal, figured many of those students would thrive and their self esteem would improve teaching their fellow classmates a thing or two about trapping and various other survival skills on the land.

NNSL photo/graphic

Sir Alexander Mackenzie School vice-principal Jason Dayman shows off a harpoon in the school shop that elder Sam Lennie made with students. - NNSL file photo

So he began working with elders, and government officials from Parks Canada as well as other residents in an effort to develop different programs.

"One of the most important things the on-the-land programs allow for is a role reversal, where the students who may not be as strong academically in the classroom are given the opportunity to be the leaders out on the land.

"The huge difference we saw is that you put them back in the classroom and it evens the playing field. They feel more comfortable learning."

He started an on-the-land pingo education program where students travelled to Tuktoyaktuk to learn firsthand about the mounds of earth-covered ice. It continues to run in partnership with Parks Canada.

He has spearheaded several more on-the-land programs where he takes students out on the Delta to go ice fishing, for example, or on a trip to the school's own cabin where they might learn traditional skills from an elder.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie School principal Janette Vlanich said Dayman has always made an effort to not only ensure that students stay linked to their natural environment and culture but in a hands-on way.

"He's stuck to that vision," she said. "He's developing relationships with the different community partners in Inuvik and working with elders to develop this culture-based education, which I think is an integral part of the school."

Their commitment to culture-based education was one of the reasons why both were recently honoured with national teaching awards. Last month Dayman won the National Herff Jones Canadian Association of Principals Vice-Principal of the Year Award, while in January Vlanich was chosen as one of Canada's Outstanding Principals, an initiative started by the Learning Partnership and the Canadian Association of Principals.

Both said they were thrilled with the distinctions.

Sam Lennie, one of the community elders who works with Dayman teaching students to make jiggling hooks, said his friend is more than deserving of the award.

"He's really good with the kids," he said. "He cares about the traditions. He treats the students like his own. They're very lucky to have him. If he goes they're going to miss him."

Vlanich's award also recognized her efforts in improving literacy in the school. She said the team of teachers at the school deserve a lot of credit for that. Student poetry and other writing displays hang outside the classrooms, and she also makes sure most of the literature at the school is Northern related in order to try to make sure its relevant and interesting for the students.

She said more and more students are reading at grade level, but both are aware that staff face challenges, including lagging student reading comprehension levels and attendance, problems which go hand in hand.

They said the major challenge is getting more funding to support the current on-the-land programs and various counselling programs aimed at at-risk students, which they will continue to work for.

Roy Cole, Beaufort Delta Education Council superintendent of schools, said both awards affirm how lucky the students are to have such educators.

"It's not too often that you get two award-winning administrators in one school in one year," he said. "They believe in teachers, they believe in students and education. They wear it on their sleeves. They are very passionate about what they do."

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