NLSD Superintendent Jackie Durocher stated recruitment for teachers is currently underway. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Teacher recruitment

‘Mitho-pimatisowin’: NLSD promotes ‘the good life’ to recruit teachers

Apr 16, 2019 | 4:30 PM

Malls and movie theatres aren’t luxuries Northern Lights School Division can promise new teachers, but ‘mitho-pimatisowin’ – the good life – is one aspect it can.

That’s according the Superintendent of Education Jackie Durocher, who said senior staff with the school division have been busy recruiting teachers for next fall since January. There are currently 38 teaching positions open with Northern Lights with more spots expected to come available as teachers have until May 31 if they choose to resign. With some staff travelling to Manitoba and Ontario to attract new teachers, Durocher stayed in Saskatchewan and reached out to fourth-year education students at the Indian Teacher Education Program, Northlands College and the University of Saskatchewan.

“With recruitment and retention this year, we talked about in our division on how we focus on mitho-pimatisowin – the good life,” Durocher said. “It’s the only life I know. I have only ever lived and taught in the North. I just really talked about what our board does and where we are situated.”

The Cree term mitho-pimatisowin refers to certain traits elders in northern Saskatchewan have identified as core values to live by. Durocher noted some of those traits include respect and caring for others, fostering good spirit, being welcoming, serving and providing for family and more. She added it also means following the calls of action towards truth and reconciliation, as well as building trust and relationships in the community they teach.

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Durocher also made it clear in her presentation mentorship support is available at some of the schools in the division. That means a first-year teacher will be partnered with another teacher in the division who has taught for at least five years to assist them with any issues that arise. Durocher is also honest about some of communities in the division and the lack of basic services available, but makes it known staff will be available to help them become the best teacher they can be.

“I told them your first three years of teaching is when you’re really defining yourself as a teacher,” she said. “You don’t need the distractions of the malls and movie theatres. That’s what I can offer you in the North. I can offer you peace and quiet, I can offer you the good life and I can offer you a lot of support.”

With 14 education students at Northlands College in La Ronge set to receive degrees this spring, Durocher noted three have already been hired with a couple more currently in the hiring process. She said those graduates will be a benefit to the school division, but added many are from distant First Nations and they plan to teach in their home communities next fall.

Durocher also stated the division is talking to teachers about resigning as soon as possible if they plan to leave for other positions. She said many hold on to their spots until they find a job, but many know what they want to do and resigning early gives the division more time to find a replacement.

“If you know you’re going to be leaving, and if you really care about our communities and care about these kids in the North, resign earlier,” Durocher said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno