Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seeing that this is Education Week, I wanted to speak today about educators. I have two schools located in my riding -- N.J. Macpherson and Ecole St. Joseph School -- both of which provide excellent learning environments for children in this city. Mr. Speaker, I would put these two schools up against any school in southern Canada for quality of education.
I want to thank all the educators at these two great schools for all the work they do on educating and growing our students. Also, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the administration of both Ecole St. Joseph and N.J. Macpherson for allowing me to host my constituency meetings at their schools. Both schools offer a great atmosphere for hosting these meetings.
Mr. Speaker, teachers have such a profound impact on people, and oftentimes you don’t realize how much of an impact teachers have had until you’re an adult yourself and you start looking back and reflecting on your time in school. I want to thank some of the teachers in my past that have helped me become the person I am today: Mr. Bob Dawe, Mr. Tony Florio, Ms. Leah Von Hagen, Mr. John Bowden, and Mr. Tony Campbell; our teachers I owe a great deal of gratitude to.
To the teachers and educators and the school boards around this Territory, I’d like to say thank you for all you do for our students and for us each and every day. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Along with my colleague, I, too, rise to recognize Education Week. I’d like to speak about the contribution and dedication of the teachers in small and remote communities in Nahendeh and other communities throughout the Northwest Territories.
In comments about Education Week, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment stated that education is a collective responsibility, and rightly so. Parents, volunteers, the community, the media, education authorities, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and many others contribute to the success of our students.
However, I also think that there’s a special place in heaven for teachers in small communities…
---Laughter
…who dedicate themselves to providing the best education they can to their students, with limited facilities and resources. These teachers can be isolated and do not always have opportunities to share and exchange curriculum ideas with other teachers on a day-to-day basis. Although computers and Internet access has contributed to many resources to small communities, a small school does not have specialized music or physical education and program staff like larger schools. The teacher’s job is broader and demands a personality who can see possibilities and takes advantage of opportunities.
There are many activities in the school in Nahendeh that help students to learn how to fiddle, how to hunt and trap. Contributions to the community are also supported. For example, Bompas Elementary held a skate-a-thon for charity. As well, students raise money to go on interesting trips that broaden their knowledge of the world. These opportunities increase students’ confidence and help them develop organizational skills. Everyone is pleased to hear about the initiatives students show; however, the teachers are there in the background encouraging and empowering their students, giving them the opportunity to shine.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the Mackenzie Regional Youth Conference in Fort Simpson this week. Students and teachers from our small communities got together to learn and experience new things from arts to sports and academics. Good luck and I hope they had a great week.
This statement recognizes the teachers in our small and remote communities...
Mr. Menicoche, your time for your Member’s statement has expired. Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
