As the school year begins and students fill classrooms across the division, a number of new faces have appeared in front of those students.
Dianne deMoissac and Deziree Warholik are just two of many new teachers who will be leading students in their academics this year. Both locals to St. Paul, deMoissac is now employed at Onchaminahos School in Saddle Lake, while Warholik has found herself a place at Ashmont Secondary School.
Both ladies took a similar path to their teaching careers through a unique and locally accessible means. Both received their degrees through the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP), an educational program offered by University of Alberta in conjunction with Blue Quills First Nations College.
“I did my last two years of my degree at Blue Quills, and was able to take all four years through Blue Quills. The partnership between the two (schools) was beneficial because I didn’t have to spend time away my children in town. I was able to do it all from home,” said deMoissac, who grew up in St. Paul and Elk Point.
She admits that her decision to become a teacher happened later than usual. She is satisfied, however, that she waited until this point in her life to pursue the career.
Before she became a teacher, deMoissac worked for SPAN for 12 years, and served as an instructional assistant at St. Paul Regional High School for one year. She said it was her year at the high school that convinced her she wanted to be a teacher.
“It was a better experience now, than if I were to get it right out of high school. After all the life experience I’ve gotten, having and being around kids, getting my education degree was just something that came naturally,” said deMoissac.
She said her first week at Onchaminahos was surreal, having the roles reversed from being a student, to being a teacher in the classroom.
“I did my practicum here in the spring, and it’s a supportive environment . . . They’re always there for you,” said deMoissac. “The kids here are good and they teach all aspects of life, with education, a spiritual side so they can express themselves. We learn as much from kids as they learn from us, it’s a collaborative effort.”
In her first year, deMoissac is teaching resource classes for Grades 1 to 3, with a focus on basic math skills, and reading and writing comprehension.
Deziree Warholik, a new Grade 7 and 8 teacher at Ashmont Secondary, came to find her passion for teaching through a similar means as deMoissac, and completed her education through the ATEP program at Blue Quills also.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher all my life, this gave me the opportunity to do it close to my hometown,” said Warholik, who was born and raised in St. Paul. “Certain opportunities didn’t allow me to do it as soon as I was done high school, so I took the chance when I had it.”
Warholik worked in other jobs and started her family before deciding to pursue her teaching degree.
“I knew that I needed to do something I loved, so I worked as an instructional assistant at Glen Avon. As an IA, I got to see so many different classes . . . and so many teaching strategies,” she said.
Warholik said her experience as an assistant, coupled with her maturity helped her get into the program, and eventually get her degree.
“Everyone would agree you have a lot of support in the ATEP program. If anyone ever needed help, it was there,” she said.
At Ashmont Secondary, Warholik teaches Grade 7 homeroom and leadership class. She said that her dream as a teacher is to spend her career facilitating the growth as citizens of all her students.
Vera Cardinal also is experiencing a new beginning, having started this year as principal for Onchaminahos School. She has been at Onchaminahos since 2001, serving as a Grade 1 and 2 teacher, and vice principal.
She described her first week as busy with greeting new staff, students, and parents. Cardinal has been welcoming a number of new teachers at Onchaminahos over the past week, making sure everyone is ready to work together for the benefit of the students.
“I want to make students feel safe in a safe, fun learning environment in school. I want them to learn and excel at the level of learning they should be, with the help of teachers and parents,” she said.
