A $1-million donation from the Pathy Family Foundation of Montreal, Que. to Indspire will help the program expand across the country.
Teach for Tomorrow: Build from Within – Ozhitoon Onji Peenjiiee works in partnership with the Winnipeg School Division and the faculty of education at the University of Winnipeg.
Roberta Jamieson, president and ceo of Indspire says the program is about identifying young First Nations, Inuit, and Metis students in high school and building on their interest in becoming educators.
“The partnerships work together to support these students to get them from high school, through university, and through to getting a job and serving our students.”
Indspire is a national Indigenous charity organization that invests in the education of Indigenous people.
“We provide different training programs, scholarships, and bursaries,” says Jamieson.
Even though Indspire supports many students in the field of education, Jamieson says there needs to be more.
“Honestly, our communities need many more of our own people at the front of the classroom.”
After receiving the donation from the foundation, Jamieson says things are moving in the right direction for the program.
“I’m thrilled to share the Pathy Family Foundation has committed $1 million to Indspire to support Teaching for Tomorrow – that will take us towards growing the program across the country,” says Jamieson.
(Indspire President and CEO Roberta Jamieson. Photo: Ashley Brandson/APTN)
In February, 27 Winnipeg high school students started working to earn an Education Assistant diploma.
“I want to be a role model for the future generation,” says grade 12 student Jody Ross.
It’s been five months since the students started the program, and Indspire, school, and university officials want to check in with some of them to see how they’re enjoying the program.
“It gets tough sometimes, especially when you have a high school exam and a university test at the same time, so you really learn how to manage your time,” says Ross.
She says she’s grateful for this kick start in her career and getting to meet instructors and other Indigenous students with the same goals really motivates her.
For future students who want who would like to participate in the program, Ross says don’t give up.
“It does get hard at times, but stay positive. You’re doing something important for yourself and the future generation.”
The students will graduate from the Teach for Tomorrow program in January 2020, with credits that go towards their university degree in education.
