Nunavut, NWT educators learn leadership skills in Rankin Inlet

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

About 28 educators from throughout Nunavut and the Northwest Territories gathered in Rankin Inlet this week for an intensive program aimed at training teachers to be principals.

The educational leadership program, now in its 15th year, is a requirement for principal certification in the two territories. Teachers who are promoted to principal must take the program within three years of accepting their new leadership role.

Participants gathered at Alaittuq High School in Rankin Inlet from July 1 to 12.

The program is made up of two phases and takes two 12-week summer sessions to complete. In the first phase, participants study the role of leadership and examine the structure of education, from interacting with district education authorities to following the laws governing the system.

On Monday, phase one participants got a lesson in “school culture management” by visiting a Thule site with local elders.

The second phase gives educators more practical skills, including techniques for improving behaviour and developing cultural programs for northern schools. An intensive three-day session examined how schools can reflect the culture of their communities.

Each phase involves 250 hours of coursework, and there is a school-based practicum after the first phase.

The program grew out of a NWT policy document in the early 1990s that asked what skills principals need to be leaders. “The benefit is to be able to talk about issues across the North — not only in your own territory,” said Don Morrison, the NWT-based program coordinator.

In the beginning, the program was just for principals, but has come to include teachers as well. This year, an Arctic College instructor and an employee from the Nunavut department of education took part as well.

About 18 of the 28 participants are from Nunavut, and the rest are from the NWT, Morrison said. Last year’s session, in Rae Edzo, attracted a larger NWT contingent.

Eight of the participants are of Inuit or Dene origin, including David Serkoak, the principal of Joamie School in Iqaluit, and Lena Metuq of Pangnirtung.

Organizers realize that as Nunavut grows the program may one day change, however Morrison said he hopes the program continues to be relevant as Nunavut educators develop their own system.

“We’re aware that the Nunavut government is developing a new Education Act, so there will be differences [between the Nunavut and NWT education systems],” Morrison said.

“I like the idea of Nunavut candidates sharing with Northwest Territories candidates, and learning how to deal with cross-cultural situations.”