Mira Chow is a passionate teacher and member of the Gakino’amaage 2024 Cohort. She has been matched with Lac Seul First Nation where she will be teaching Grades six and seven this September.
Read on as Mira shares about her journey that led her to Gakino’amaage, her experience in the Summer Enrichment Program, and her excitement about bringing her love for teaching and the performing arts to the North.
Mira Chow is a member of the Gakino’amaage 2024 Cohort who will be teaching Grades 6-7 in Lac Seul First Nation this September.
My name is Mira. I am matched with Lac Seul First Nation, where I’ll be teaching Grades 6-7 at Obishikokaang Elementary School.
I first learned about Gakino’amaage four or five years ago when I started teachers’ college. I attended a webinar where a teacher from God’s Lake Narrows shared her experience teaching up North with her family. That’s when I first heard about the program, and this year I decided to apply.
My teaching journey is a bit different from most. When I started my teacher education, I was unsure. It was during COVID-19, so my first exposure to teaching was in a hybrid setting. One of the first schools I worked in experienced community violence, which led me to take a break from my teacher education.
I switched to a different line of work and worked from home as an interpreter, but I didn’t enjoy it. That’s when I realized the classroom is where I needed to be. The classroom is where I feel the most energized. So, I decided to complete my teacher education and Go North with Gakino’amaage.
That’s when I realized the classroom is where I needed to be. The classroom is where I feel the most energized.
I love that the Summer Enrichment Program includes diverse Indigenous perspectives and voices. There are myths that Indigenous voices are monolithic, but Indigeneity encompasses many different practices and cultures. The program brings in Elders-in-Residence, Dr. Nicole Bell, and Laura Maracle, people from different nations, to give us a breadth of perspectives. This is important because the nations where we’ll teach will not be identical.
Understanding that multiplicity exists is crucial, and the programming reinforces this, especially in the Language Lessons. Elders from our matched communities teach us the language, recognizing that each community has variations. These lessons give us a head start in understanding key words that might help us connect.
The program also emphasizes teacher self-care, embedding breaks and reminders about the importance of disengaging and engaging as needed.
Mira and other members of the 2024 Cohort taking part in Gakino’amaage’s annual Summer Enrichment Program at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
As I’m in the early stages of my career, having access to personal, professional, and peer supports from Gakino’amaage is beneficial. In public school systems, we often don’t get enough professional support in locating culturally responsive resources and long-range planning. I especially appreciate the one-on-one conversations with my Teacher Development Manager at Gakino’amaage, who continues to share her experience and support me as I prepare to go North.
During the Summer Enrichment Program, we’ve had the opportunity to connect with other teachers going North. Some will be teaching similar grades, and some are going to geographically close communities. For instance, I’ve met a teacher going to Big Grassy River, which is a fairly close drive to my school. Just like moving anywhere else, there will be a range of emotions during the transition. A great point of connection for me is understanding that I’m not alone in the transition process.
Gakino’amaage Teachers Jonah Monaghan and Mira Chow stand side by side at the Summer Enrichment Program Opening Ceremony led by Elders-in-Residence Tammy and Bernard Nelson.
One thing I’m excited to bring to Lac Seul is improv and theatre. Our school has Explore Learning everyday, where students can sign up for various teacher-led activities. In the past, this included sports, pottery, and different types of art. I’m hoping to introduce improv, because I believe theatre can encourage people to get involved in the community and create a sense of belonging. Improv also provides a safe, welcoming space for us to express ourselves in ways we might not usually explore, whether verbally or through body movements.
As I embark on this journey, I’m filled with optimism and excitement. The peer connections I’ve made, the knowledge from the Summer Enrichment Program, and the support from Gakino’amaage have prepared me well. I’m eager to bring my passion for teaching and theatre to Lac Seul, and I can’t wait to grow and learn alongside other Gakino’amaage teachers!
Are you interested in living and teaching in the North? Canadian-certified teachers interested in Going North with Gakino’amaage can apply in late Fall 2024. Learn more.