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IQALUIT
It takes an army to manage the needs of Nunavut's largest primary/elementary school, and secretary Taqialoo Garson is on the front lines every day working to ensure everybody wins.

The first face most people see at Nakasuk School in Iqaluit is that of Taqialoo Garson, who has been secretary since 1997. - photo courtesy of Tracey MacMillan

"You want people to feel they are appreciated and valued for what they do. In Tak's role, she definitely is," said principal Tracey MacMillan. "She's the first person anyone who walks into our office is greeted by, so it's an important role here."

For Garson, who started at Nakasuk in 1997 after seven years at Inuksuk High School, it's a great place to be part of the team.

"Everyone works together to get the kids to have a passion for learning. I see that a lot in teachers here," Garson said.

Although she is thanked "almost daily," she said, staff and teachers presented her with some treats, including a new plant, on April 25 for Secretary's Day. Staff members signed a thank you card and made announcements on the public address system to thank her for her daily contributions.

"The staff is so appreciative and I like that," she said, noting the kids are a big attraction. "The work is really interesting. The kids are so hilarious sometimes. They're so cute.

"When I was up at the high school, it was sometimes tense because of teenagers and hormones," she added. "Here, it's always fun, and it's great to see the kids."

If Garson makes it sound fun, it's because she's helping keep out distractions and problems.

"It's a really busy time of year for the administrative staff with sealift, and the staffing process commencing," MacMillan said. "Our secretary is there to keep the office running, answering the phones, dealing with parents, the kindergarten registration, and all of that is taking place at the same time that the staffing committees and administrative office is taking care of the other school-end items."

For her, Garson fits the bill of a good secretary: "Being very personable, welcoming to the school, organized, willing to help and assist – and definitely being reliable."

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