So you’ve had a typically easy day
of teaching and now you’re ready for a night out on the town.
What does one do to occupy oneself?
Hmmm . . . there are so many possibilities, a veritable cornucopia of
activities to choose from.
Staff usually get together and
socialize over potlucks and movies.
Wollaston Lake is a dry reserve and Band employees (which we are) can be
suspended for drinking. Possessing alcohol
is a chargeable offence.
Radio bingo can be an experience of a lifetime for some. There are also community bingos and crib and poker tournaments. Staff usually have gym nights for semiorganized sports like volleyball, badminton, basketball, depending on interests. Dance practice and game nights are an interest by local people and staff.
What is considered socialization in the community (What is there to do for excitement?)?
To get oriented into the community,
a game on crib or
poker nights is a good start to meet people.
Teachers can enter into the community life through dances,
carnival, visiting, crib, and bingos. Bingo
is a favorite game. Recreation fundraisers
alternate bingo and crib throughout the week.
In the summer, Fish Derby is a favorite pastime.
The Snowmobile Poker Rally in the winter is a cold and fun way to
enjoy the outdoors. Many people hunt and
fish in the winter time as well.
Some teachers would like to tell
you:
· Teaching in a remote northern community requires a significant amount of adjustment on a teacher’s part.
· Be prepared for changes and changes on short notice.
· Be flexible, be flexible, be flexible
· Expect the un . . . (unexpected)
· You will get lonely and you will miss home. Learn to build a network.
· Don’t lick anything metal when outdoors in the winter.
· Despite local legend, there is not a 7-Eleven on Moose Island. You will have to make sacrifices on some of the fringe benefits of southern living.
· People here have their own way and time of doing things. Learn to live with it. It is their community.
· No one is looking for a Great White Hope.
· Learn and see the positive in things, make the best of your situation. Rather than waiting for the greatest opportunity of another job placement, focus on the greatest teaching opportunity at task.
· Show interest in, and respect for, the people and their culture. Remember, they have invited you to come into their town to work with the most precious part of their lives, their children.
· If you don’t know how to do something, ask for help; it’s free.
· Life and teaching aren’t always fair.
· Sometimes or most of the time it is better to keep your criticisms to yourself.
· Keep your life in balance. Teaching can take up a big chunk of each day. Don’t burn yourself out to the point where they’ll have to medivac you out.
· Pick up a few words in Dene.
· No one expects you to be perfect; please don’t expect others to be.
· Like any small town, there aren’t too many secrets here. Be careful who you tell yours to.
· A teacher must realize that he/she just can’t go out for a beer with friends. That will be a breech of the by-law.
· An open mind is really good. If you don’t have an open mind, I don’t think you would survive up here, especially if you are from another culture.
· There are no theatres up here; therefore, you have to find your own entertainment.
· I personally found the people very friendly up here.
· Keats, the poet, wrote about an attitude he called “negative capability.” Negative capability is the ability to be “in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.” Stock up on this. Wal-Mart usually has it on sale.
Happiness is not an ultimate but instead lies in appreciation of the journey. (Psychology Today)
Some outdoor activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sliding, snowboarding in the winter and fishing, boating, hiking in the summer, fall, and spring. It depends what you like to do!
The following are words of advice from seasoned teachers:
· buy lots of food and toiletries
· bring a suitcase; sometimes your luggage does not arrive with you
· bring sheets and a blanket; sometimes the luggage arrives before you
· bring adequate food, a sleeping bag, and cooking utensils to survive the first week
· bring a can opener and food to keep you going for a few days just in case stores are closed
· send packages ahead – postal information – Express Post, courier, etc.
· dogs are not pets; don’t be offended, they are strays
· garbage is common
· dress code is casual
· buy lots of stamps
· limited fresh fruit and produce - arrives on Saturdays early
· entertainment? bring satellite dish - make friends - establish a hobby
· how to get a ride: beg or hitchhike - or kindly ask your principal or phone the education office.
· no hairdresser
· very limited clothing available - order through Sears, Selections or Wal-Mart
· banking (Internet banking required before coming up here).
· cost of food in Wollaston; milk $6.95 (2L)
· phone and fax number for Safeway or Harold's IGA in Prince Albert– teachers have groceries ordered and transported to Wollaston.
· Winter starts in September, prepare for it! Winnipeg outfitters – parka – Sorels (winter boots). The Band Store supplies adequate warm attire.
· Internet catalogues for purchasing clothing or E-bay
The following are some suggested
supplies you may want to bring with you.
· reading material, CDs, computer
· pictures and other things from home so as to make the teacherage feel more like your place and not just a temporary apartment
· potting soil and plants
· bread maker if you are into making bread
· compact microwave
· craft material
· a skidoo or boat if you have one - lots of fishing gear for summer or winter<
· T.V. and VCR
· a vehicle if you have one (a truck [4 x 4], boat, snowmobile, ATV [quad], if you have any of these listed).
The rates are partially determined by the Education Program’s cost to operate the units. These include material and labor costs for maintenance, water, electricity, propane costs, furnishings, etc. The Program strives to reach a balance between the actual operational and maintenance costs and providing attractive rental rates for the teachers.
Monthly rent utilities include:
| 1 Bedroom basement | 12D, 14C,14D | $400.00 |
| 1 Bedroom duplex | 8A, 8B, 9A, 10A, 10B | $420.00 |
| 2 Bedroom basement | 11C, 11D | $430.00 |
| 2 Bedroom basement | 12C, 15C, 15D, 16C, 16D | $440.00 |
| 2 Bedroom fourplex | 12B | $450.00 |
| 2 Bedroom duplex | 9B | $460.00 |
| 3 Bedroom | 11A, 11B | $470.00 |
| 3 Bedroom | 12A, 14A, 14B, 15A, 16A, 16B | $480.00 |
| 3 Bedroom Trailer | 13 | $480.00 |
| 2 Bedroom Cabin | 17,18,19 | $500.00 |
IThe Board of Education and teachers meet regularly to brainstorm ways of retaining teachers. Our community experiences a high turnover rate of teachers each year. We discussed teacher issues and living in Wollaston Lake. Many of the concerns and issues raised were shared and discussed with the Chief and Council and the Board of Education at Band meetings. The concerns were met in a constructive manner due to the pending teacher shortage in the province. They discussed contracts, benefits, salary increase (2% above province), community issues, teacherage issues, Board issues and creating relations between teachers and the community. Most of the suggestions concerning incentives and issues were well received and provided for by the Board of Education.
The Hatchet Lake Education offers the following perks for their teaching staff:
· mail service by the maintenance men to the schools
· education vehicle use upon request
· use of the school gyms
· plentiful teaching resources
· photocopy machine use
· use of computers in the schools
· security systems in the teacherages
· housing subsidy for nonteacherage users - local staff
· meals and gifts from employer
· freight costs covered
· orders never turned down (Teaching Resources)
· teacher orientations
· advances on salary - on an emergency basis, otherwise, not a common practice
· cordial office staff
· qualified Director
· adequate and supportive administration
· in-service for our programs.
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