The May Whole Life Forum: Meeting First Nations Students’ needs in an Adult Learning Environment
We are pleased to welcome Bonnie George to our Whole Life Forum during the month of May to lead a discussion about working with First Nations students. Watch for her first post on May 7th.
http://www.ldandwholelifelearning.ca/bbpress/
Bonnie George
Hello everyone….
Welcome to the discussion of effectively dealing with First Nation students. I would like to thank the Learning Disabilities and Whole Life Learning team for allowing me in sharing my experience working with Aboriginal students.
My name is Bonnie George; I am of Wet’suwet’en decent. I presently work at our local Adult Learning Centre in the Northwest, Moricetown B.C., 32 km west of Smithers.
My background includes working within the criminal justice system as a probation officer. The education and training I received and experience working in the field strengthened my skills and abilities to work effectively with Aboriginal students in our community, community dynamics and the history of the aboriginal culture. My main duties at the learning centre include administrative assistant, tutoring and Wet’suwet’en language and culture classes. I presently instruct for the Northwest Community College in an Access Program.
Access programs are designed for students who have been out of the school system for many years or looking to upgrade their literacy skills to enter into other college programs. Students register at our school to upgrade in English, Math and to complete the Adult Dogwood Program.
Please make note that these are my observations and experience working with Aboriginal students and clients for 20 years. There are documentations and resources available for these topics, but living and working within Aboriginal communities gives me the practical experience. The goal is to give them basic skills and abilities for a higher education and to strengthen and enhance skills in dealing with everyday challenges.
- Topics to be covered:
- Learning styles
- Historical abuse
- Learned behaviors’
- FASD Low self esteem
I look forward to the discussion and feedback…… see you all in cyber space…..
Bonnie George
