Job Discussion Forums

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

One thing they could do is have all the B.Ed graduates take a social history course before teaching on a reserve (which probably was, in a way, the point of having Jane Doe tell a story about what it was like growing up on a reserve for her- teachers are supposed to see that by understanding what it was like for her, they can better understand what it ***MAY*** be like for other people like her and therefore use that to figure out how to keep aboriginal youths in school on their own [side note: traditional methods of teaching in First Nations Communities often involve teaching through stories. That's why they would consider Jane Doe's story to be teaching. People expecting a list of Step 1... Step 2... Step 3 would be discouraged, but if there were such a list then dropping out wouldn't actually be an issue.]). Another thing they could do is say that ONLY graduates from programs like the ones offered at Brock University

http://nativeadult.ed.brocku.ca/

could apply (but the reality is that that would reduce the pool of applicants way too much).

Or they could have additonal qualification available- like the one for teaching ESL. In Ontario, you can spend a year at a university and get a certificate in TESL, or you can spend a year at a university and then get a B.Ed, and then get additional qualifications to teach ESL in schools on -line (at Queens, it takes three on-line courses).

cassava · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 175

Symphany · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 117

What never ceases to amaze me is how quick and easy it is on some forums, sometimes this one to pounce on a teacher for providing his or her honest opinion. The political correctness that is being brutally enforced doesn't do much to solve the situation of students lets not forget, that are dealing with substandard learning conditions. How is anyone going to know that the conditions are not up to par if nobody is willing to talk about them for fear of offending somebody? We get solutions when people are willing to share -- that is all parties involved not just those who err on the side of political correctness. Some very strong points have been made on all sides, these points would likely never have been brought up if all the posters here were just preaching to the choir.

Dragonlady · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:12 pm Post subject:

delete

Symphany · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 117

Dragonlady, as educators, we have a responsibility to speak our minds about what we see as inadequate, or just plain injust. In the way that we express it, so long as we aren't abusive in our tone of language I don't see a reason to censor our point of view, which is the impression I got from

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

I took a course last year titled 'native-newcomer relations' which focused on the pacific northwest area. It was quite eye-opening. There are a lot of natives in my area and they are basically second-class citizens. People don't think of it like that, but I think that's how it is.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

i've not heard so much judgmental, pompous, culturally elitist, semi-colonialistic, socio-economicly superior crap in a while

keep it up, this is a most entertaining thread

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

cassava · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 175

Cubism · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 283 Location: US

Because my father's family lost all their records -- or so the story goes -- we weren't "tribalized." Ie, we didn't live on the rez, didn't get any free stuff, and had no traditions. Before I left the US in 93 to teach abroad, I wondered, and did a little research about, American Indians. I wondered if my ESL skills could help them.

I ran into lots of glossy ads for CD's and books and it all looked so mainstream that I felt too primitive myself to approach the situation. I went to Nepal and have just made my life across the Land Bridge.

So I'm very naive, and the posts shocked me. I've never set foot on any rez. I grew up in Okla., but not on a rez. So things are not glossy and upscale? The "native American" mags seem to present things as being like that...

Can you send me links or photos I can see online? Thanks.

Cubism

efemmera · Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Posts: 52

I am a firm believer that you can learn something in any environment you just need to put your preconceptions about how you feel things should be aside. Two culturally relevant points that can be gleaned from that seminar are as follows:

sage burning = ceremony is a very important aspect of native cultue
talking at length = native history is an oral history, story telling is seen as an art form

I think those are two cultural insights that would help any teacher.

deena · Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 12 Location: israel/canada

Hello! How does one apply to teach at a First Nation school with if you're an internationally accredited English teacher with international teaching experience only. I am a Canadian citizen. Confused

cassava · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 175

I suspect that since First Nation schools fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, you will have to apply through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

Many of these schools might not need ESL teachers, if the students have become accustomed to speaking English, even though it might not be their first language. Whether or not your international accreditation will be deemed acceptable is an open question. Much will depend on the source, level and quality of this credential. I think the educational authorities in the province in which you decide to teach will probably be asked by the Feds to make the final decision.

If your application is accepted, make sure that that you research thoroughly the history of the treatment of First Nation students by the priests and federal bureaucrats in the former residential school system. It is likely that you will recoil in sheer horror at the chronicle of brutality, oppression and racism that you will find.

Furthermore, before accepting any offer, you should also investigate the present conditions of most on-reserve elementary schools. You will find that many of them fall far below what exists in many Third World countries. The lack of facilities, poverty and despair will be beyond your wildest imagination.

Please understand that I am not trying to discourage you from seeking employment in these schools. I merely want you to be psychologically prepared for what you are likely to face. In addition, you will need to understand the apartheid-like policies of persecution and discrimination enacted by the Federal Government of Canada which have resulted in the present conditions of wretchedness and misery among the First Nation people.

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

Deena,
Are you a certificated teacher;that is , do you have a B.Ed. or a certification recognized by any provincial government/teachers' association. If you do, I can put you in contact with some jurisdictions. Where do you want to teach in Canada?
You may PM me if you wish.

Also please note that a diet of 'raw' or unprocessed bitter as opposed to sweet cassava is injurious to animal (human) health and may result in death through poisoning (cyanide).