The teacher solving problems in a remote Inuit community | Maggie MacDonnell | Global Teacher Prize

Maggie MacDonnell grew up in rural Nova Scotia and after completing her Bachelors degree, spent five years volunteering and working in Sub Saharan Africa, largely in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention. After completing her Masters degree she found her country was beginning to wake up to the decades of abuse that Canadian Indigenous people have lived through, including assaults on the environment and enormous economic and social inequality.As such, she sought out opportunities to teach indigenous communities in Canada and for the last six years has been a teacher in a fly-in Inuit village called Salluit, nestled in the Canadian Arctic. This is home to the second northernmost Inuit community in Quebec, with a population of just over 1,300 - it cannot be reached by road, only by air. In winter temperatures are minus 25C. There were six suicides in 2015, all affecting young males between the ages of 18 and 25.
Due to the harsh conditions, there are very high rates of teacher turnover which is a significant barrier to education in the Arctic. Many teachers leave their post midway through the year, and many apply for stress leave. Her current school has no Principal as he left after six weeks on stress leave.
There are tremendous gender issues in the Inuit region of Nunavik where teenage pregnancies are common, high levels of sexual abuse exist, and gender roles often burden young girls with large domestic duties. Maggie therefore created a life skills programme specifically for girls which has seen a 500 per cent improvement in girls’ registration in life skills programmes that were formerly dominated by boys. This includes securing over $30,000 in funding to prepare hot meals for the community. She also created a partnership with the daycare centre where her students would work in the classrooms with experienced day care workers. They would gain valuable on the job mentorship and improve their understanding of early childhood education. Maggie also secured over $20,000 for an in-school nutrition program where students prepare healthy snacks for their fellow students.
Also, in areas of high deprivation, isolation and limited resources, teenagers often turn to drinking and smoking, even drugs and self-harm, as forms of escape and release. She therefore quickly established a fitness centre which has become a hub for youth and adults in the local community who are embracing a healthier lifestyle. It is relieving stress, helping young people grow stronger physically and mentally.
Maggie’s whole approach has been about turning students from “problems” to “solutions” through initiatives such as “acts of kindness” which has dramatically improved school attendance. Specific examples include: running a community kitchen, attending suicide prevention training and hiking through national parks to understand environmental stewardship. In addition, her students, despite their own challenges, have fundraised over $37,000 for Diabetes Prevention. Maggie has also been a temporary foster parent in the community, including to some of her own student
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[@simonehanchet2700]

Maggie you are so amazing! These beautiful kids are the Northern lights, indeed.

[@snpalma]

I´m speechless, what an inspirational teacher!

[@fadairoracheal7111]

History helped Maggie to bring out the best in the so called deserted students by engaging them with physical activities and help in supporting the school with feeding. Students are able to identify themselves and leave their old ways of life since Maggie has discovered them and create an enabling environment for them. This is a job well done Maggie. Kudos

[@mahatmagandhicanadianfound3545]

Congratulations Maggie. You are such an inspiration. We commend you for the incredible difference you are making in the lives of young people.

[@ImaOttawamiut]

You are truly an inspirational teacher working in a remote Inuit community of Salluit Quebec. I'm so glad you are able to experience the beauty in the north and are such an important part of the community. Congratulations on your work truly from your heart and soul.

[@ajayivictor2682]

Awesome work there Maggie! I doff my hat a thousand times for you. You're a teacher with a leader's capabilities, leading students and the entire community by example, ensuring students centered learning and cultural responsive teaching. Thank you for your impacts and for being a life saver, giving people the tools they need to master their own destiny and redirecting students at the verge of missing out completely. Congratulations, more wins...

[@MohammadShahzaman]

Well done Maggie Mam. God bless you.

[@mbaegbuchinwendu1076]

History helped Maggie to understand the people and their community,and she was able to launch the feeding program in her school. She was able to identify the problems and sought ways to solve them.

[@hassansalieugbla6797]

History helped Maggie understand the people and what is at stake in this community. She then used experiences from the past to map out programs such as the running club and students feeding students project. This way she was able to transform energy for Deviant behaviors to useful and productive situations.

[@grake36]

She really deserves this prize. Admirable su labor.

[@mbaegbuchinwendu1076]

Great work Maggie!!!! You're such an inspiration.

[@eilaoketch7078]

Maggie Congratulations. Great work you are doing over there. Thank you for not giving up on the kids.

[@monaalassaad4941]

Congratulations Maggie , deep respect for you .

[@James-zi5hq]

Hello 👋, how are you doing today; how’s everything going over there 👉 I hope it was a blessed day for you Mona?

[@taraqueen58]

Words are not enough this woman deserves all the accolades but I'm sure her made prize are the positive Ives of the children she has taught

[@my2cents2u]

Please Maggie, can we clone you, and spread you throughout the planet? Just think how much better this world would be! :-) Congratulations on your well deserved recognition. Much love to all your 'kids'.

[@ST4RK1LL3R]

Maggie! You're an absolute badass teacher. Keep up the good work. Lots of love.

[@isatusandi7008]

It was history that helped Maggie understand the people and what was in the community. She used her experiences from the past map out program like the school feeding program.

[@oumousall5381]

I have deep respect for you, Maggie.You are such an inspiration.God bless you ^_^

[@fitasukiyani0610]

Very proud of her. A very heart touching Inspiring story. Bravo Maggie

[@imanirabarutapastorsi5133]

It was history that helped Maggie understand the people and what was in the community. She used her experiences from the past map out program like the school feeding program

[@charles-eugenelessard1816]

Félicitations aux auteurs pour ce très bon reportage.

[@yanenn2151]

i got tears just watching this....truly inspirational

[@КириллСоболев-п7о]

I have deep respect for you, Maggie !

[@GivathBrenner]

Keep up the good work Maggie. Mr. Phillips - St. Catharines, Ontario

[@jonathaniroezindu9101]

I wish Maggie could visit Nigeria to address teachers including me.

[@artskillsforlife7420]

❤ Congratulations! You are truly inspirational and making a difference. You have found your calling!

[@anuduttu6121]

u r a real reformer...

[@dayangsuriani]

I'm happy to have an amazing friend like you...

[@DeborahOladeji]

This is so inspiring and amazing

[@joyifeanyi6588]

This is inspirational

[@JJ-wu7cx]

It is important to acknowledge that this sometimes keeps outsiders as the "savior" and diminishes the effectiveness of local teachers who won't necessarily have that opportunity to be recognized. Ironically, that keeps the cycle going.

[@amelsabri469]

😭😭😭😭😭💗💗💗💗so brave and inspirational😍😍😍she des even the prize💖💖💖💖💖rôle model😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@najprapattsmaneepoungtiip7996]

so inspiring, Thank you.

[@KingdomGwangwava]

Learning by exploring -self belief.

[@sirdan1065]

Great.

[@SwatiSharma-li8nt]

Wow, this is so beautiful

[@susanharding4000]

Trudeau needs to get himself visiting there REGULARLY if his words n inclusivity are ever to be taken seriously. It's time. Apologising isn't enough.

[@bluenosekub]

Maggie will be speaking at the Charter dinner night rotary Truro check out the link for tickets only $60 and your money goes back to the community via Rotary Club facebook.com/events/412635735855135/?ti=as

[@bluenosekub]

rotarycluboftruro.ca/event/92nd-annual-rotary-club-of-truro-charter-night

[@jogovel]

viva unicoos

[@yadir654yiko]

😍😍😍❤️❤️

[@gabrielleonardoinsaurralde4926]

que lindo video