A new partnership has been formed between Nipissing University and Kenjgewin Teg on Manitoulin Island.

It involves joint delivery of the Indigenous Classroom Assistant Diploma Program, which is designed to support the success of Indigenous children in both First Nation and Ontario provincial schools.

After completing the program, graduates are qualified to work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students as classroom assistants under the professional direction of a classroom teacher and school principal.

“This new partnership contributes to our shared goals of advancing and increasing control of Indigenous Education as one of many Calls to Action made by the TRC,” said Stephanie Roy, President of Kenjgewin Teg.

“Going forward, our local Mnidoo Mnising and surrounding communities will continue to see more opportunities in our teaching and learning programs for new and current educators, as we continue working together with partners like Nipissing University who support culturally relevant training and education closer to home”.
Classroom Assistants support teachers by helping to supervise activities in the classroom; working with children on an individual, small group or whole class basis. In some instances, classroom assistants work on a one-to-one basis with children with special educational needs.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Kenjgewin Teg to enhance and expand the Indigenous Classroom Assistant Diploma Program,” said Dr. Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research about the new partnership. “This program and the collaborative nature of its delivery underscores Nipissing’s commitment to providing accessible education to Northern learners and Indigenous communities.”

The ICADP consists of online learning as well as two, six week in-school placements. Recruitment for the program is underway with programming set to begin in January 2021. To qualify, prospective students must have completed a minimum of Ontario Grade 12 or equivalent. Candidates without grade 12 can be admitted if they are 20 years or older and have been out of school for two years or more. Deadline to apply is December 1.

 

(Photo by station staff)

Filed under: Kenjgewin Teg, Nipissing University