Teach For Canada–Gakinaamaage TA Program Empowers Northern Teacher/Education Assistants with In-Person Learning Summit

Thunder Bay — The Teach For Canada—Gakinaamaage Teacher/Education Assistant (TA) Program proudly announces its in-person Learning Summit, a crucial component of its comprehensive initiative to offer coaching, professional development, and support to local Teacher/Education Assistants (TAs) in First Nations schools. The program aims to further develop the teaching knowledge and skills of TAs, fostering a positive impact on students and classrooms.

The TA Program provides personalized skills development based on individual goals, virtual professional development sessions tailored to northern teaching assistant contexts, and an all-expense-paid trip to Thunder Bay, Ontario, for the Learning Summit. 24 TAs from 12 First Nations have completed the program since it was piloted in 2020.

Of their decision to take part in the Teach For Canada—Gakinaamaage TA Program, a participant said, “I want to become a better teacher assistant. In this way, I can better assist my teacher and my students. Eventually, this will also help me to fulfill my long-range goal of becoming a teacher”.

The Learning Summit is a dynamic event that will bring together 31 TAs from 14 different First Nations in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Set against the backdrop of Fort William First Nation’s sacred Anemki Wajiw (Anishinaabemowin for Thunder Mountain, also known as Mount McKay) at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the program will take place from Tuesday, January 23rd, to Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

The primary objective of this summit is to provide a supportive platform for the growth and development of TAs as educators within their respective First Nations. The experience will feature sessions focusing on essential aspects of teaching and support, including the cultivation of positive classroom relationships, prioritizing student well-being, recognizing and addressing learner needs, and facilitating goal-setting and professional networking opportunities for participants.

The 2024 in-person Learning Summit represents Teach For Canada—Gakinaamaage’s ongoing efforts to support stable and effective First Nations schools that are led and staffed by local community members.

For more information, visit teachforcanada.ca.

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Contact: Meredith Stapon
Director of Communications
meredith@teachforcanada.ca
416-562-4402

NT4