'It means so much': Educators honoured for multiple decades of service at on-reserve school
Staff and families were treated to an all-day gala at the Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex on Monday, as a way for Cote First Nation to say thank you to some of its longest serving educators.
Eleven of the school’s mainstays, who have spent two decades or more at the school, were honoured at the event. All 11 are originally from the Indigenous community.
Chief George Cote emceed the gala and was honoured to see some of his own community members staying home and making a difference for the next generations.
“It’s a great honour to see our own people, our own band member teaching our children. And some of them, are also graduates (of the school),” said Chief Cote.
All 11 educators were given a starblanket, along with a special personalized gift, which ranged from jewellery to a golf bag for one lucky staff member.
Helene Cote, who has taught at the school in the elementary years for the past 20 years, said she hadn’t ever been honoured like this before in her professional career.
“It’s awesome. 20 years of teaching, it means so much to me because I’ve worked in my community my whole entire career — it’s been here with my own people, I taught my own kids. I taught my grandchildren. It’s more meaningful for me,” she said.
Of those honoured, one has seen the inside of a classroom, as well as the other side of education, from the Principal’s chair.
Jonas Cote first started at the school in 1994, working his way from a teacher to vice principal, before taking the task of Principal on. He said it goes by in an instant.
“It just seemed like yesterday, I started teaching. How the years just go by so fast and you’re sitting there (thinking), ‘Has it been that long?’” He said.
Jonas said there has been much change in the nearly 30 years the school has been open. He explained the move from sports to technology in the classroom, along with the ins and outs of dealing with remote learning and the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the gala, the school also honoured some of its youngest educators, looking to get their own starts in the education sector. Most of these young teachers, also from Cote First Nation, are also recent graduates of the school.
It’s all about fostering that community, according to Helene.
“Most of the kids, we’re related. We’re all connected, somehow or another. Either by family ties or by friends. We’re all connected, and that’s what makes it so special,” she said.
“You grow to love all these kids. You do, it’s a very rewarding job.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.