FILIPINO CANADIAN TEACHERS HELP FIRST NATIONS STUDENTS IN NORTHERN ONTARIO, CANADA

 

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired
Toronto-Canada
June 28, 2021
 




June is usually the month when schools close and marks the end of the 10- month long schoolyear in Canada. It is also the start of the summer season and the time for family bonding, trips, vacation, recreation, and relaxation. For two Filipino Canadian teachers from remote Ontario North, it is the time to "trek down and travel back" to the city "where home is", to reflect, reinvigorate, and reconnect with family and friends.

Filipino Canadians Rowell Clarito Perez and Mirnalin Pillos Alforte are 2 professional educators who took up teaching assignments in two indigenous schools up North. Both are professionally certified and registered with O.C.T. designations by the Ontario College of Teachers, the regulatory body for licensing elementary and secondary school teachers in the province.

Years before, two other Fil-Can trailblazing certified teachers have accepted assignments in Nothern Ontario. Gary Salva Camu, in 2012-2013, taught multigrades at Nekestanga Education Centre under the Matawa First Nations Education Authority, located at Lansdowne House, Nekestanga First Nation Reserve, Ontario. Donna Laquindanum Scutariu also handled special education and behavioural pupils in 2013-2014 at Henry Coaster Memorial Elementary School under the indigenous band of Maarten Falls First Nation Authority in Ogoki, Ontario . Gary and Donna who brought their young families then, are now back and assigned in 2 GTA school boards.



Rowell C. Perez, a graduate of the University of the Philippines with Bachelor of Secondary Education degree-Magna Cum Laude, has taught Grades 9-12 First Nation students mainly English and Social Sciences courses at Peetabeck Academy. The school is operated under the Mundo Peetabeck Education Authority and is located at the Fort Albany First Nation, a "fly-in community"- primarily by plane transportation, some 981 km. from Toronto. Perez started teaching in Fort Albany in 2016 and has immersed himself in the community for the past five years, learning about the culture and committing to understanding every aspect of his students' lives. He is an active volunteer for different community events and initiatives such as community farmer's market and sports and recreation programs.

On one hand, Mirnalin P. Alforte finished her teaching degree program at the Philippine Normal University(PNU). In Canada, she also completed 4 Basic Qualification courses in Primary & Junior Divisions, Mathematics, and General Science at the University of Toronto-OISE and York University. Likewise, Mirnalin took four Additional Qualification(AQ) courses in Kindergarten, Vocal Music, and Special Education at the University of Toronto-OISE and Queen's University. Alforte started teaching at Sena Native School?, North Caribou Lake First Nation Education Authority during the 2020-2021 school year. Known as Weagamow Lake Indian Reserve 87 or Round Lake First Nation with approximately 92 sq.km., the Oji-Cree band community is only accessible year-round by air through Round Lake Airport, Weagamow Air Base in the Kenora District in Northern Ontario., some 1,300 km. from Toronto.

A native of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, R.C. Perez has renewed his second 3- year contract until 2022. He is a social-issue advocate and has recently written a book of poems, "Magic of the Modest". Asked about his experience, Rowell said that "5 years of teaching in a remote First Nation community has been very challenging but equally rewarding. I have come to sincerely care for my students, not only as students in my classroom but as human beings who need love and respect. One of the most valuable learnings here is the importance of the relationship between teachers and students, especially in communities facing a lot of challenges. I realized that students will refuse to learn unless they feel the sincerity of their teachers. In a lot of ways, teaching here is more than just a job."

The two teaching professionals hope to return to the GTA someday and continue their cherished careers. Rowell who has completed Basic and Additional Qualification courses in Intermediate and Senior Division English, Social Science, Honours Specialist-English, Special Education, ESL and Visual Arts at the University of Toronto, indicated that he is "looking forward to coming back to Toronto after my time here, but the lessons I learned and the experience I had, I will use to continue growing as an educator." On one hand, Mirnalin whose Interests and hobbies include reading, traveling, dancing, singing, and outdoor activities like hiking, nature walk, and canoeing, is looking forward "to coming back, once she completes her 3- year teaching contract" in North Caribou Lake, Kenora Dstrict.

Both determined educators are considered best exemplars for the youth who are aspiring to become teachers as well as for new teachers seeking assignments to practice their cherished profession. Rowell and Myna are long-standing members of the Ontario-based Philippine Teachers Association of Canada-PTAC, a 15-year old organization of internationally-trained teachers mostly from the Philippines.. ( Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired)