Saying Goodbye

After an incredible journey it is now time to say good bye.  I spent my last night in Cape Dorset sightseeing.  The Vice Principal Mike, from the high school, took me around Cape Dorset on the school bus.  I am still taken away by the beauty of this place; it is like nothing I have seen before.  This experience has been a life changing one and I am so privileged to have had this opportunity. 

Thursday, my last day in Cape Dorset, was a busy one.  We had a party at the school and I was also preparing my things to leave that evening.  When arriving home from school I was notified that my flight to Iqaluit was cancelled due to weather.  My first thought was:  How am I going to get out of here!  But after taking a minute to put things into perspective, I realized that a cancelled flight was nothing to stress about.  I spent the evening exploring some more of Cape Dorset as well as saying good bye to my students; whom I miss immensely.  I was happy to have had an extra evening in this beautiful place. 

The next morning I arrived at the airport bright and early.  Because my First Air flight was cancelled Thursday evening, I would now be flying with Canadian North.  The flight to Iqaluit was a quick one and I was happy to see Heidi, Jessica and Ryan at the airport.  However, as I boarded the plane for Ottawa I had mixed emotions; I was excited to get back to Nova Scotia and see my friends and family, but at the same time I was sad to leave the North.

I am quite certain that I will one day return to the North; hopefully sooner rather than later.  I check the education Canada website for job openings on a regular basis and when jobs do become available I will be applying for them all!

The Elementary School

Getting some fresh air

The bus I toured the town in!

An incredible view

Cape Dorset

The Cape Dorset Airport

Canadian North plane

More About My Classroom Experiences

One of the biggest barriers in the classroom is the language barrier.  Issues will often arise between the students and I am out of the loop as to what is going on because the students are speaking in Inuktitut.  I learned very quickly to read the student’s expressions and to listen carefully to the tone in their voices.  I always try my best to resolve any issues that occur but the students are not always willing to explain what has happened.  When I ask the students about what just took place the response I often get is “She/he is bugging me!”  This comes with no further explanation. 

Another issue I find particularly difficult to deal with is the fact that when the students get upset with me, they will often call me names, or say negative things about me to the other students in Inuktitut.  The other students are quick to tell me what was said but dealing with these issues is not easy.  I usually ask the student(s) if they are making good choices.  But it is hard to discipline the students when I am not sure what exactly was said.  The most important thing I will take away from this experience and which I will use in the future if I am to ever work in the North (which I hope is the case) is the fact that you cannot take anything the students say personal.  These children can love you one minute and hate you the next, but when all is said and done we always leave the school on a positive note.    

One thing that is very different here than from the South, is the amount of physical contact the teachers have with their students.  On a regular basis the students will come up to you and give you a hug.  Or they will put their arm around you and tell you how much they like you.  From my experience, in the schools in Nova Scotia, physical contact is not permitted nor accepted.  There is of course a line here in the North that must be drawn, but many of the teachers allow the students to hug them and then gently redirect the students back to their desk/work area.  I was informed that this is the case because a hug from a teacher might be the only positive physical contact these children are getting. 

Another issue within the school that is particularly challenging, is the lack of school attendance.  The students often come to school late or not at all.  Many of my students don’t arrive until after the lunch period and this is disheartening because these students are missing so much instruction time.  Although I am in a grade 5 classroom, many of the students are at about a grade 3 level.  The fact that these are ESL students is of course a major factor, but poor attendance certainly doesn't help!This seems like a gloomy post but these things are what life is like here.  That being said, life here is pretty incredible.  I think it’s important to remember that there are always negative aspects to any community, not just those in the North, but there are always positive aspects as well.  We just have to find a balance between the two.  If you allow the negative to outweigh the positive then of course life is going to be horrible and in my short time here I have seen this happen to a few people. 

I keep thinking of more things to comment on, so as they are coming to my mind I am writing them down and hopefully over the next week I can continue to update my blog about what life is like in Cape Dorset. 

Ataumie (one of my students)

Update!

I want to apologize to everyone following my blog; I know I haven’t posted in a while!  It’s been a very busy week here in Cape Dorset.  I haven’t talked much about what it’s like to be a teacher here, so I thought I would give you an inside look at my experience in the classroom.

Teaching in Cape Dorset, which I am sure is much like teaching in any other community in the North, is not an easy job.  There are 16 students in my class; although I have only met 15 of them, one boy never comes to school!  The students that do come to school are often exhausted and hungry.  The children here stay up all hours of the night.  Many of the students have told me that they do not go to bed until after 2:00 am.  School begins at 8:40 am and we serve breakfast until about 9:15.  Breakfast includes things such as: French toast, sausages, fruit, yogurt, cereal, pancakes and toast.  No food is ever wasted; the students always ask for a second serving.  After breakfast the day proceeds with regular teaching.  The students have Inuktitut instruction, gym, computer class, math groups and reading groups on a regular basis.  Gym and computer class, in my opinion, is much more important in the North than in the South. 

The life that these children live is heartbreaking.  Not all children have it bad, but many do!  There is a lack of food in the homes; breakfast at school is sometimes the only meal they get.  The children see and experience things that some of us could not even imagine.  I have read many of the student’s journals and some of the entries make you want to scream.  I have only been here for a few weeks but the most important thing I will take away from this experience is the fact that in order to be a teacher in the North you need to be a strong person. 

On a more positive note, I am having the time of my life here.  I have only one week left and I feel as though I am not ready to leave.  These children experience such negative things in their lives yet they always have a smile on their face and they are always excited to see you.  The students want to help with everything!  My students always ask me to stay in at recess to help out, or to stay over school and help with the end of the day chores. 

This weekend we held a dance at the school for the grade 4-6 students and it was a blast.  I volunteered, along with two other teachers, to chaperon the dance.  In addition to us teachers, there were numerous grade 6 students who came early to help out.  The doors opened at 6:45 and by 6:30 there was a line up outside of the school!  Holding a school dance is a lot of work but it is totally worth it.  The students have a safe place to come for a few hours and they are able to have some fun in a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. 

On Saturday I helped out with another penny sale at the high school.  Every penny sale tends to have a cake walk so one of the teachers, from the elementary school, and I baked a cake to donate.  This was quite the experience; we might be teachers but we definitely aren’t chefs!  We decided we would bake the cake at school Friday evening before the dance.  We got everything prepared and the cake looked and smelled delicious the only thing left to do was bake it in the oven.  We put the cake in the oven at 6:30 and set the timer for 15 minutes.  We unfortunately forgot about the cake!  One of the students asked me, during the dance, what time is was.  I went over to the kitchen to check the time and realized the oven was still on!  I yelled to the other teacher and said “our cake!”  By this time it was 8:00.  So our cake that was supposed to be baked for 15 minutes was actually baked for an hour and a half.  All we could do was laugh.  We put the cake in the fridge with the hopes that by the morning it might soften up (it was quite hard)!  You’ll be happy to know that the cake was still donated to the cake walk, and it actually looked pretty good once decorated! 

Here are some pictures of our classroom activities and the dance.  I learned very early that the students love to take pictures, so all of the pictures taken at the dance were taken by the students.  I think they all took a turn with my camera! 

Art Lesson (creating provincial flags)

Coloring the flags (Latch, Susa, Harry)

Working hard (these kids are incredibly artistic)

Kilabuk & Susa

Charlie, Mikikai, Susa, Nubeya

Junks for the dance (everyone here calls junk food "junks")

Buying junks!

Closing time (the students are getting ready to leave the dance)

View from the school (taken by one of the students)

A Trip to the Park

On Saturday I took a trip to the Cape Dorset Park.  What I thought would be an hour long trip, actually took all day!  The park is located outside of town and to my surprise the road to the park was not plowed.  This made for quite a hike; although it was a very enjoyable one.  My first question about the park was “why is it situated so far from the town?”  The answer I received was that in the summer time the park proves to be in a perfect location because it is right beside the water.

After arriving at the park I was stunned by its beauty; I would love to see it in the summer time.  The park was beautiful!  There are numerous picnic tables and a wide range of play ground equipment.  But, what got me was the location.  There was nothing but ice and snow surrounding the park; it was amazing.  The ice was an aqua blue color and I was told that is the case because in the summertime, or when the ice has melted, the water is that color! 

The beauty of the park was incredible but I must admit I was nervous about this trip.  I went to the park with Sarah (the woman I am living with) and her vice principal (at the high school) Mike.  When we originally planned our excursion to the park it was only going to be Sarah and I who went.  We were quickly informed however, that this was not the best idea.  The park, because it is located next to the water, is the most common place for polar bears to roam.  Mike so kindly offered to come along with his shot gun just in case we ran into any unwelcomed animals.  Thankfully we did not!  That being said, a few weeks ago Mike took a trip to the park with one of his fellow colleagues and they actually did spot a polar bear! 

Here are a few pictures I took at the park.  It was a beautiful day but the temperatue was below -40 with the windchill.  I didn't take many photos because taking my hands out of my gloves was painful.  Not to mention that my camera battery doesn't last long in these freezing temperatures! 

Mike & Sarah walking towards the park

The ice that surrounds that park.  It was aqua blue but you are unable to see it in the photo. 

A lone boat just sitting in the middle of the park!

Winter Carnival

At Sam Pudlat School we celebrated Winter Carnival on Monday, March 19 and Tuesday, March 20!  On Monday morning the entire school went skating at the arena.  Then in the afternoon the students were arranged into 12 different groups.  Each group had students from grades K-6.  The groups were arranged this way in an effort to have the older students (grades 5-6) help those in the younger grades (K-2).  Once the groups were organized each team was given a name; the team names were communities within Nunavut.  I was team Arctic Bay!  Each team had a lead teacher and those teachers took their team to an empty classroom where we decorated t-shirts.  The purpose of the t-shirts was to keep the teams organized and to help the teachers keep track of who was on which team.  The students loved decorating the t-shirts!  They especially enjoyed decorating my t-shirt.  All of the students wanted to sign their name, as well as draw pictures on it!   

On Tuesday the students were instructed to wear their t-shirts and to meet with their team for breakfast.  The day was organized in a way that each group would travel to a different station every 20 minutes.  The stations included, igloo building, ice carving, hockey, sledding, paper crafts, reading, maple syrup, mural decorating, drum dancing, relay races, hot chocolate, and beading.  I was in charge of helping out with the maple syrup station.  We boiled maple syrup to a "just right" consistency, which we then poured on to a snow table.  The students used a Popsicle stick to twirl the maple syrup from the snow, which resulted in them having a toffee pop.  The reactions to this activity were either really good or really bad; some students loved it while others hated it!  Overall the day was a huge success.  Although by the end of it I was exhausted!  

Below I have included some pictures of the winter carnival!  I was not able to get a picture of the igloo, nor did I even get to see it, because some of the kids destroyed (smashed) it as soon as school ended.  But I did get a few pictures of the ice cravings which were incredible. 

Getting our skates on

Skating

T-shirt decorating

Snow table (for the Maple Syrup)

Listening to the instructions (the kids are so cute!)

Toffee Pops

Incredible ice carvings (done by an elder)

The Land

Yesterday we went out on the land (which is really the ice!) and what an experience!  I had an amazing time; although every muscle in my body hurts today!  Being on the back of a snow machine is hard work.  We were on our way to Fish Lake but our journey was cut short.  We came across a young boy and his father who had left Cape Dorset in the morning for a week long hunting trip.  Unfortunately, their snow machine broke down on Baffin Island and when we came across them they had been walking for over an hour!

Instead of continuing on to Fish Lake we gave them a ride back into town.  Both father and son were overjoyed to see us.  Had we not come across them, they would have had to walk about another 3 hours before reaching the town.  Before giving them a ride however, we went to where their snow machine broke down so we could pick up their qamutik which was filled with their hunting gear (to prevent these things from being stolen).  After bringing the young boy and his father back into town we decided to explore Dorset Island.  The Island was incredible.  There was nothing but snow, mountains and icebergs!  I took a few pictures, but they definitely don’t do the scenery any justice.

After returning home from being out on the land I went to the high school to help out with a penny sale, which was a huge success.  I sold tickets at the front door and I also worked the cake walk!  All of the proceeds made from the penny sale are being donate to a young woman who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  To further the fundraising, the high school held a dance at the community hall.  I volunteered to be a chaperon at the dance and this too was a success!

Here are a few pictures, but as I mentioned above, they really don't do the scenery any justice! 

Baffin Island

Qamutik filled with hunting gear

Dorset Island

Checking out the amazing view (Dorset Island)

Icebergs!

The penny sale

A Look at Cape Dorset

It was a snowy day here in Cape Dorset, but the temperature was fairly mild.  The more time I spend here the more I love it!  I went exploring a bit last night and was able to get a few pictures of the town.  One thing I learned very quickly after arriving is the fact that there are many dogs in Cape Dorset.  Every morning I am greeted by more than one dog; sometimes they even sleep on our porch!

Aside from the two stores here in Cape Dorset there is also an ice skating arena.  Tonight was the first time the arena has been open in many weeks.  The Zamboni was broken therefore the ice was unsuitable for skating.  The local people were very happy to have the arena open!  There is not much here for extracurricular activities; therefore not having the arena open is an issue for those who use it. 

In the excitement of the arena opening there was an “Old Timers” game this evening and the arena was packed!  Next door to the arena there is also a youth centre which is used frequently by the kids/teenagers in Cape Dorset.  The young centre is very nice.  There is a big screen TV, pool tables and computers among many other things!

Here are a few pictures of the town and the youth centre!

Cape Dorset

Cape Dorset

Some of the many mountains that surround Cape Dorset

One of my many visitors!

The youth centre

I’ve Arrived!

After quite a journey I have finally made it to Cape Dorset!  It is incredible here; the scenery is like nothing I have ever seen.  This has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Cape Dorset is a small community with only two stores; the CO-OP and the Northern.  Both of the stores sell pretty much anything a person would need.  However, the prices are unreal!  There are also two schools within the community.  An elementary school (K-6) and a high school (7-12).  I cannot speak for the high school, but the elementary school is amazing.  There are smart boards in pretty much every classroom, as well as two computers.  In addition to these there is also a computer lab equipped with 18 computers and a smart board!

Today was my first day at the school and I already love it.  The students are wonderful; they welcomed me with open arms (quite literally)!

I haven’t had much time to explore, but hopefully this weekend I will have the opportunity to look around some more and get some good pictures!

Here is a one photo for now:

My home while staying in Cape Dorset!

Iqaluit

After a bit of a delay in Ottawa I have arrived in Iqaluit!  It is a cold and foggy day, but I am looking forward to exploring the town.  Landing at the airport was quite an experience.  We exited the plane from the back door and instantly the cold hit us.  The wind was unreal; I thought it was going to blow me and my suitcases over!

Here is a photo of the front doors of the airport! 

I will post more photos after I do some exploring!

Preparing for Takeoff...

It’s hard to believe that in only a few short hours I will be on a plane headed for Cape Dorset, Nunavut!  Before arriving in Cape Dorset, I will be spending the day/night in Iqaluit.  I am excited for what this adventure has in store for me.

I plan to blog on a daily basis which will include numerous photos of my journey north!  I would like to begin this blog by thanking the sponsors who have made this journey possible.  I would also like to thank my instructor for bringing this opportunity to the Mount.  I want to thank the community of Cape Dorset for welcoming me and providing me with a place to stay and a classroom in which I will learn to become a more effective teacher.  I would also like to thank my family for supporting me in my hopes and dreams.  Without these people, all that I am doing would not be possible!

This journey is a once in a life time opportunity.  I am being given the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.  I am sad to leave my grade 2 classroom in Nova Scotia but I am ready to embrace all that my grade 5 classroom in Cape Dorset has to offer!

Please check back daily to stay updated on my journey to the north...