You’ll develop teaching skills and inspire the next generation of Nunavik students. As a teacher, you’ll help instill a sense of pride and a love for learning in them.

• This university program provides the strong foundation you need to teach Inuktitut and manage a classroom.
• The program includes practical work experiences in a school environment, where you’ll get the chance to apply what you’ve learned. You’ll get a real taste of the teaching profession in the early stages of the program.

After completing this program, should you start working with Kativik Ilisarnilirniq, you’ll have the opportunity to continue your studies through the part-time Teacher Training program. You would then be able to cumulate your certificate credits towards a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) – Kindergarten and Elementary Education – First Nations and Inuit Studies (120 credits) with McGill University.

Overall, you’ll develop classroom management skills and strengthen your understanding of Inuktitut grammar and structure. You’ll also familiarize yourself with the programs and curriculum taught in Nunavik.

More specifically, you will learn to:

• Organize your classroom.
• Understand and use pedagogical methods.
• Communicate in the classroom environment.
• Evaluate children’s educational needs and adapt your instruction approaches.
• Teach using Inuktitut.
• Teach the curriculum related to elementary science, mathematics, Inuktitut reading and writing, geography, and history.
• Apply what you’ve learned to a real classroom environment.

This program was created to address teacher shortage, which is affecting Nunavik schools. More teachers are needed, and the Nunavimmiut stepping forward to teach need the support that a university program tailored to their needs would offer.

As a graduate of this program, you’ll be able to:

• Work in the education sector.
• Teach Inuktitut subjects in Nunavik schools.
• Continue to study while you work as a teacher with Kativik Ilisarniliriniq and cumulate your certificate credits towards a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) – Kindergarten and Elementary Education – First Nations and Inuit Studies (120 credits) with McGill University.

Here’s the list of courses offered during year one, over two semesters:

• EDEC 289 – Inuktitut Orthography and Grammar (3 credits)
  Structure and morphology of Inuktitut for teachers working in that language. Use of orthography, both qaliujaaqpait (Roman script) and qaniujaaqpait (syllabics) as established by the Inuit Cultural Association.

*Prerequisite: Fluency in Inuktitut

• EDEE 245 – Orientation to Education (3 credits)

Introduction to planning and maintaining a learning environment in the Indigenous classroom as a unique pedagogical setting. Study and application of differential learning styles.

• EDEE 270 – Elementary School Science (3 credits)

Science as a means of exploring and explaining our environment. A study of some of the fundamental concepts and process skills common to most elementary programs.

• EDEC 201 – First Year Professional Seminar (1 credit)

Orientation to the school culture and community and to teaching as a profession. Focus on the general functioning of schools and complexity of the teacher role. Competencies and working professional portfolios will be addressed.

• EDFE 200 – First Field Experience (Kindergarten/Elementary & Secondary) (2 credits)

Students are assigned to a school for a “participant observer” field experience.

 *Corequisite: EDEC 201

• EDEM 502 – Indigenous Family Dynamics and Support Institutions (3 credits)

Examination of Indigenous family dynamics and educational, social and administrative institutions that support families in the learning process. A study of the interdependency of the various institutions affecting the education of Indigenous children. Relationships of non-educational to educational services.

• EDEC 342 – Intermediate Indigenous Language (3 credits)

A study of Inuktitut phonology and structure, emphasizing the connection between the two, demonstrating the orderliness of many dialectic differences.

 *Prerequisite: EDEC 289

• EDEE 230 – Elementary School Mathematics (3 credits)

The first of two courses specially designed for elementary school pre-service teachers. Focused on key areas of what teachers need to know and be able to do to support students’ development of mathematical understanding (focus on mathematics content, students’ reasoning, and pedagogy). Provides insight and understanding of the Quebec elementary mathematics program.

• EDEE 355 – Classroom-based Evaluation (3 credits)

The role of evaluation within kindergarten/elementary school programs. Topics include the kinds of information needed, different techniques for collecting that information, and ways of interpreting it to make educational decisions. Principles and a variety of methods for evaluation are discussed and practised.

 *Corequisites: EDEE 353, EDFE 306

• EDEC 253 – Second Professional Seminar (1 credit)

Preparation for the second field experience through the development of basic practices in planning and teaching in elementary school classrooms. Competencies and working professional portfolios will be addressed.

*Prerequisites: EDEE 223, EDEE 253, EDEE 273, EDEE 283; Corequisite: EDFE 256

• EDFE 256 – Second Field Experience (Kindergarten/Elementary) (3 credits)

Supervised student teaching in a school. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field Experience, dates, duration and responsibilities.

 *Prerequisites: EDFE 200; Corequisite: EDEC 253

• EDEC 262 – Media, Technology and Education (3 credits)

Orientation to the equipment and systems of educational technology. Examination of theories of educational technology, media education and technology education and the exploration and development of possible applications in school settings.

Here’s the list of courses offered during year two, over two semesters:

• EDEC 344 – Advanced Indigenous Language (3 credits)

The final course in a set dealing with Inuktitut phonology and structure. An understanding of basic Inuktitut syntax in particular, rules governing verb and possessive endings.

 *Prerequisite: EDEE 342

• EDEE 280 – Geography, History and Citizenship Education (3 credits)

Designed for elementary school teachers. A multi-disciplinary and cross-curricular investigation of various citizenship education themes, geographical regions and historical periods as outlined in the Quebec Education Program.

• EDEE 353 – Third Year Professional Seminar (Kindergarten/Elementary) (3 credits)

Theory-based strategies for setting up, managing and teaching in the elementary school classroom. Methods for integrating the individual subject areas in the elementary school curriculum, using the Quebec curriculum as the primary example. Professional portfolios and professional competencies will be addressed.

 *Prerequisite: EDEC 253; Corequisites: EDEE 355 and EDFE 306

• EDPE 300 – Educational Psychology (3 credits)

Selected theories, models, and concepts relevant to planning and reflecting upon educational practice and improvement. Overview of development, learning, thinking, motivation, individual difference, etc. In relation to applications in classroom teaching and learning, the complementary role of counsellors and psychologists, educational computing and technology. The Youth Protection Act.

• EDEC 203 – Communication in Education (3 credits)

Written and oral communication in education: emphasis on strategies for identifying, analyzing and solving writing and speaking problems. Course work based on academic and professional communication in education, with a particular focus on classroom communication.

• EDFE 306 – Third Field Experience (Kindergarten/Elementary) (8 credits)

Supervised student teaching in a school. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships and Student Affairs website at www.mcgill.ca/isa.

*Prerequisite: EDEE 275, EDEE 223, EDEE 283, EDFE 256, EDEC 253; EDFE 200, EDFE 256, EDEC 201, EDFE 253, and EDEE 353; Corequisites: EDEE 253 and EDEE 355

• EDEE 248 – Reading and Writing Inuktitut (3 credits)

Methods of teaching syllabic reading and writing. Understanding the principles of sight word reading instruction, child observation, material development and guided instruction.

 *Prerequisite: Fluency in Inuktitut syllabics

• EDPI 341 – Instruction in Inclusive Schools (3 credits)

Developing, planning, implementing and evaluating effective learning programs for diverse learners, and considering their more general applicability. Adapting curriculum and instruction for learners with varying abilities, learning styles, and needs. Collaboration with students, families, and other educators (or stakeholders) in the instructional process. Application of adaptations at the classroom and school level for all students in inclusive schools.

 *Prerequisite: EDPE 300

You must meet the following conditions:

• Hold a Secondary School Diploma.
• Be 18 years of age or more.
• Be a JBNQA beneficiary.

If you don’t meet these conditions, please get in touch with us. We’ll analyze your student file and look at options with you.
Email us.

Students attending the program will be boarded at the newly constructed adult education residence. The residence can accommodate single students as well as families or single parents with children.

• The residence is equipped with a state-of-the-art industrial kitchen facility that will be staffed with full-time cooks, so the students and their families do not have to worry about preparing their own meals while they are studying full-time.
• The residence is also equipped with several common areas to accommodate cultural activities, such as sewing or crafting, as well as a workout room, an entertainment room and a dedicated area for babysitting service.

If your children are of school age, you’ll be able to register them at Jaanimmarik School or Pitakallak School.