Day 190- September 30- Tommy Tuglavina

Tommy is quickly becoming one of my favourite dudes. He has suddenly come into his own this past 10 months and is super chill. He is mature, takes himself and decisions seriously, works hard and is really focussed on his goals, like doing well on the hockey team. I had a fun chat with him in the hall earlier this year- I had asked him the name of one of the grade 7 boys that I had forgotten the name of. He informed me it was also Tommy, then I said, that to keep them straight I would call one of them "hyper Tom" and the other "calm Tom". He hesitated for a moment, clearly thinking about the choice, and then said, in a very relaxed normal tone, "I'll be calm Tom". I love it! So, here's Calm Tom on his way home at lunch! Thanks for the pic Tommy!!




Theme Song for today: What I've Become by Ashlee Simpson

Day 189- September 29- Kerrin P.

Kerrin is one of the Secondary teachers at our school. She made a big pledge this year to help encourage the students to donate lots of money to cancer research. She is one brave lady, as she promised that if we raised over 1000$ she would let someone shave her head. Kerrin came in my third or so year of teaching. She replaced a teacher that had to leave after the Christmas break and jumped in with two feet. She had taught previously in Yellowknife before moving to northern Quebec. The best adjective to describe Kerrin is artistic, the arts and drama come very naturally to her as does cooking, which is an art when you see what she can make. Enjoy the pictures!



Theme Song for Today: Do You Remember by Jack Johnson

Day 188- September 28- "Mrs. Principal"

How could I resist posting these? (I have a union to protect me against a pay cut!) Our principal made a pretty lady today. The thing is that our principal is a man, but he promised that if the students could raise more than 1000$ for cancer research, he would dress as a woman for the afternoon. And he goes all out with WHATEVER he does, so here's the results! (He made use of the pregnancy suit too to add a few curves. (Sure the goatee was a little disconcerting, but I think he pulls off the tights nicely!)






Theme Song for today: Les vrais chums by David Jalbert

Day 186 and Day 187- September 26 and 27- Elisapie and Bella

These pretty girls were proud as can be of taking part in the Terry Fox Fundraising Walk. The school made a goal of 1000$ this year, which is more than we've raised before. We had a few challenges (shaved heads, principal dress up as a girl, etc.) to encourage the kids to raise money and broke our goal by over 500$ more! The girls below saw me with my camera after the event and asked to have a picture with their tattoos and certificates. Elisapie is a spunky and energetic little girl, she is gentle and wonderfully full of expression, despite being very weak at English. Bella is the youngest sister of some of my most favourite former students. She actually attended my class one afternoon when she was around 3 since her older sister had to watch her when the day care was closed one day. We gave her a colouring page and she proudly worked alongside her big sister, it was so cute. She is growing up and now attends school herself now, I think I am starting to date myself! ha ha!




Theme Song for today: Loving You Is Easy by Sarah McLachlan

Day 185- September 25- Elijah "The Accordion Man"

Elijah came up with an idea this year to use his talents to busk for some money during our annual Terry Fox Foundation fundraiser at school this year. He played his accordion in the foyer of school every morning for two weeks and raised a fair amount. As the students and teachers came in you could see various people break into traditional dancing and liven up as a result. I think he should do it more often even still to bring that positive energy that you get from live music to our school and students. He's one talented guy! Enjoy the photo!




Theme song for today: Listen to the Music by The Doobie Brothers

Day 184- September 24- Blair Alexander

I think I love this guy. Not in the 'bhan chicka whan wha' type of love but the 'this dude freakin rocks' and I want to hang with him all the time style!! Blair is teaching in PUV, in the far north of the Hudson coast. He's been there a couple years and has the type of attitude that I am sure is enriching that school immensely!! He cares about people a lot, which was evident in just minutes of meeting him; he values people's skills, experiences and beliefs and is willing to share his own with others. Just like in this picture, he stood out as being an encouraging, bright light! Enjoy the pic!


Theme Song for today: Point Of No Return by Dokken

Day 183- September 23- Benoit

Benoit is the French Secondary PED counsellor. I met him once in GR last year and he was very funny right off the bat, you know the kind of person that drops jokes right away to put you at ease. A man after my own heart! I had the pleasure of sitting beside him for the last day of meetings. We chatted a little on the break and he showed me some of the materials he had put together for his teachers for the start of the year. talk about beautiful work! He's one of those people I hope KSB fights to hold on to. The type that really are an asset to the organization, but who often burn out from all the other "issues" that accompany the job. Really enjoyed meeting him, sorry for the political discourse, I have ended that digression! :) Enjoy the entry!


Theme Song for today: King of the Beach by The Wavves

Day 182- September 22- Angela Turner

I worked with Angela during one of the evaluation workshop activities today. She is teaching in Umiujaq this year, but she is originally from Digby, Nova Scotia. Talk about small world, that is my childhood hometown's next door neighbour. Around an hour drive away. She was a very nice person to work with, upbeat, positive and a little bubbly- my favourite combination! Hope our paths cross again sometime, despite her being almost all the way to the farthest western community in Nunavik, and I am in the furthest east! Enjoy the pics!





Theme Song for today: You know I'm no good by Amy Winehouse

Day 181- September 21- Sayard Chartrand

Sayard teaches in Kangiqsujuaq. Many times people mix up her town and my town with only a few letters a difference. I wish we were actually in the same town because she is a very fun, kind and friendly person. I met her husband a few years ago when he was a Tundra Trot coach. Neil was the most amazing person ever; he came across as timid and reserved, until we all went back to my host's place for an impromptu dance party and I witnessed his "robot"... WOW! Sayard has a beautiful baby girl and although we really enjoyed working together I think she was just as excited to go home to her family at the end of the training!
I know we will keep in touch and collaborate in some way again in the future. You can be confident of that when you have the same values and goals as someone like her! Enjoy the pictures!




Theme Song for today: Margarita Chum by Anouk

Day 180- September 20- Morgan Douglas

I went to Kuujjuaq today for a Social Studies training. KSB has been working on a re-development of this program so it might better meet the needs of students and more specifically match the new reform in education that has taken place recently in Quebec. Education Services for our school board is now located at a beautiful building in Kuujjuaq. The above picture is of the stairwell at that building, which was the location of our meetings.

I chose Morgan for my photo for this day because she has been my English PED counsellor for many years. She is an extremely energetic and creative person. She is from Nova Scotia (woo hoo!!) and her background was drama before she joined KSB. She likes to laugh and enjoy life. She is very generous and always tries to support the teachers to the best of her ability. Enjoy the picture!



Theme song for today: Bigger Side by Anouk

Day 179- September 19- Chris MacPherson

Chris. Oh, what can one say about Chris without needing to spend an hour of typing! Chris is awesome. He has the best sense of humour and keeps things light and stress-free wherever he is. Chris is an idea man, but does some of the most creative things in his free time. Who else do you know that lives in the sub-arctic but has managed to research and successfully grow a green grassy lawn, which he mows with a push mower, build a compost bin and make rich compost for future growing, build big beautiful deck, create trebuchets and numerous wild and hilarious iMovies with students ranging in age from 9-19, teach multi-level classes of the earliest English levels, coin one of a kind nicknames that stick for everyone on staff and most visitors to town, pick up groceries for everyone and their dog and remember a song that can get a specific person on the dance floor without fail every time. He's a man of many skills and talents. Oh, maybe you wouldn't be surprised by any of this if I started by saying, he's a Caper. Fellow East-Coast buddy! Couldn't resist this picture, taken during our GPI training course at school. His timing for gags is always impeccable!




Theme Song for today: Cadillac One by GBH

Day 178- September 18- Bren's Friend, Name?

Ahh, like so many of the youngsters around town, this little girl jumped into the frame of my shot with enthusiasm. She is a great example of the wonderful kids we have around town- full of curiosity, innocence and enthusiasm to know "kinauvit?" (what's your name?") and "Namu?" (Where you going? What are ya up to?). I like the fact that kids are not shy but are willing and open to communicate and get to know you. It's not hard to fall in love with the town when you are welcomed by so many smiling faces like this one. 8th year and counting for me. Don't think I plan to change it any time soon. Too much love and community here. (PS This is one of the many shots I took as the school walked around town for the Terry Fox fundraiser.)



Theme Song for today: Famous Last Line by the Jukebox Romantics

Day 177- September 17- Brenda St-Aubin

Brenda has one of the wittiest and charming personalities I have seen in a while. She has an extremely animated set of facial expression that she uses all the time. When I first met her a few years ago, she worked very hard to communicate with me despite our lack of a common language, she acted things out, used her face, hands intonation to try to transmit her message. I enjoy seeing her around school or town, she always puts a smile on my face with a funny gesture or silly joke. She is growing into a beautiful, strong young Inuk woman, just like her mom!

Theme Song for today: You, Me and the Bourgeoisie by The Submarines (I find this song to be a great way to start the day, the lyrics are positive and motivational- "Everyday we wake up, we choose love, we choose light and we try, it's too easy just to fall apart"

Day 176- September 16- Darrel Emak

Darrel was my student for many years. Last year he left school and has been working a lot, often at Raglan Mine near Salluit, Nunavik. Darrel, and his brother Jeremias, were some of my all time favourite students. They were so creative each in their own way. Darrel's imagination and ability to sit down with a scrap of paper and a worn out pencil for three minutes and end up with an incredibly accurate sketch of a caribou or camping scene amazes me! I was glad to see him this day when he dropped into the school, as I have not seen him in over a year. Enjoy the pic!




Theme song for today: Keeper by Butterfly Boucher

Day 175- September 15- Travis K

Travis started in GR last year. I was away but we had emailed a little before he arrived from BC, so when I came for my winter visit I felt like I knew him a little better than meeting a stranger. This year he is still at Ulluriaq, so we work together in the English Secondary sector. If I had to write only one sentence about him I would be amiss to not say something about guitars. I unfortunately have not yet heard him playing one, but I know he has a few of them up here, not an easy feat, with many air cargo services and potential for destruction! He is very laid back as far as I can tell from our limited interactions so far, but he is extremely helpful around the school taking on the extremely large portfolio of computer maintenance. He's a cool guy. Minnie Molly helped me a lot with many of these September pictures. in fact, this one (and others) were taken during the teacher versus student softball game! It was a windy day. Enjoy!


Theme Song for today: Dueling Guitars by Heitor Pereira & Doug Smith (from the soundtrack of August Rush)

Day 174- September 14- Marlene

Marlene and I first worked together during Tundra Trot around 4 years ago. She was having a lot of difficulty in school but would see us out practicing around town. She kept asking if she could join and of course I said yes! She was a natural runner, remarkably so! She had incredible endurance for having never traded before, and I was sad when she simply lacked the discipline to continue. Marlene is now in Secondary. I still enjoy seeing her around, and was happy to see her take part in the softball game.


Theme Song for today: Stop Drop And Roll!!! by Foxboro Hot Tubs

Day 173- September 13- Sheila Power

Sheila is back from her year off and back into her grade 6 class again. I met Sheila at orientation in 2002. She had taught in Aupaluk for a replacement contract the year before but missed orientation. She was in Aupaluk for a few years before transferring to our school a couple years ago. I don't know if part of her decision was on the warm welcome she received during the union meetings, but I have a hunch it helped! One night we were all gathering at Melanie and Nelson's home for a few drinks and after Sheila bright her accordian, we all busted out in some tunes and had a good old East Coast kitchen party. She is from Newfoundland originally, has a house near St. John's. She is always up for a fun time! Enjoy the picture! Sheila can often be seen in the office at recess having her little lunch and tea.


Theme Song for today: Rant and Roar by Great Big Sea

Day 172- September 12- Smiley Sanak

I haven't had the chance to teach Sanak, but he is related to a couple of my most memorable and lovely students in the last few years. Sanak was in IPL with Daniel for the last couple years. He was an excellent guide when I saw him working with the K-1-2 students dog sled excursions last year. He was observant and patient with the kids, and made their day! I love his dimples and hhis contagious smile. I don't know if I have ever seen him without it!! Enjoy the pic!


Theme Song for today: Dimples by The Animals

Day 171- September 11- Salumie S-E

Salumie is my student this year for English and Social Studies. She has a sister and two cousins in the same class. There are enough snowballs there to make a very tall snowman!! haha Her older sister, Sap, is a fellow blogger and one of my original students. Salumie is much more timid than the others in her family. She is a little hard to read due to her lack of verbal engagement but is a friendly, good spirited all the same. I think we are still trying to figure each other out, and that is the fun part of teaching. Enjoy the picture!

Theme Song for today: What Would You Say by Dave Matthews Band

Day 170- September 10- William Annanack

During the teachers versus students softball game, we had a fun team. William was one of our star players, holding down the fort at first base really well. William is a fairly new addition to the school team, he only recently began working as a shadow and seems to be doing a really great job at it. I had his younger brother, Mark, in my very first Secondary 1 homeroom class. His mother is one of the longest remaining employees at Ulluriaq, she's the secondary Inuktitut teacher. William seems like a pretty cool guy! Enjoy the pics!



Theme Song for today: Heavy Things by Phish

Day 169- September 9- Bebe (Sandy)

Bebe is one of my student's little brothers. That's his nickname from his sisters, who are both in my class. I loved this picture that they took of him while using my camera on baseball day. I love his smile, which is always plastered across his innocent, young little face. He is often playing outside near his house when I go to the Co-op, he is giggling and talking excitedly every time. Enjoy the pic!


Theme Song for today: Overdue by The Get Up Kids

Day 168- September 8- Bill Balfe

Bill is a very funny fella. He's got a thing for hats and 70's sunglasses this year and it seriously rocks! I have some of the most enjoyable conversations in passing with Bill around school. He's the grade 5 English and has been in GR for a few years with his wife, Carrie and two boys. Before entering the field of teaching he worked in Toronto on many freelance video production jobs. He worked on projects that were aired on Discovery Channel, CTV, CBC and other channels. Enjoy the pictures!





Theme Song for today: Young Youth by San Sebastian

Day 167- September 7- McCombie Annanack

McCombie could be called a wunderkind. When I first arrived in G.R. he was supposed to be starting grade 3 but was advanced to grade 5 that year since he knew too much English to be in a level where they just begin to know their ABC's. He's a very keen fella, enjoys music, science, reading, sports and Math. He seems to be very interested in understanding how things work and learning. He's a great student but also learns on his own time. He joined the flight club, learning to fly model planes first on a simulator and then purchased his own. He also plays a lot of hockey, too. I really enjoy having him in my class, he's a real stand up guy. Enjoy the pic!




Theme Song for today: Don't believe the Hype by Public Enemy

Day 166- September 6- Williami Annanack

Williami is a pretty cool guy. He's very relaxed and yet, very keen about doing well. He's a natural athlete, whatever he does sport wise, he seems to have trained for years for it. He joined the Tundra Trot team my second year of coaching it and it was incredible to watch him run. He made it look as easy as sitting on your couch eating pizza. We worked on his strategy for the second year because he didn't quite have the "pacing" idea down for the first year, and was beat in the last three strides. He is now working hard at his hockey and has been chosen to be one of the three from his age level to represent our town. Williami is currently in the Secondary 4 class and if he keeps it up, he'll be on the stage next year for a graduation! He's a great kid!!

Theme Song for today: The Cools by Crush Luther

Day 165- September 5- Jamie Snowball

Jamie is a spunky, energetic boy. This is the first year that I have been his teacher, since last year was his first year in Secondary, while I was on my year off. I have worked with his family members at school for while. Norman, his father, is the lay minister at the church. Jamie has a super sense of humour and enjoys laughing and joking a lot. I think that he will be successful at whatever he does and look forward to seeing where life takes him!



Theme song for today: Trace Decay by Wintersleep

Day 164- September 4- The 'A Team"

I have actually featured both of these little inventors before but when I got back from a three hour drive to the end of one of the roads near town to see their creation, I couldn't resist photographing their genius and creativity! As I pulled up, Willis enthusiastically called out to me as Imi was trying to dig up scrap metal from behind his dad's shed to add to the sculpture they were building beside my oil tank. It was awesome, Imi would find pieces of wood, rocks and metal, thinking of it's usage and call to his muscle, Willis to actually move the piece of art supply to the creation. It was very fun to see their roles, teamwork and the scientific analysis that was going into the balancing act of rocks and wood.

When I asked for a picture, they proudly indulged me. Enjoy a few shots from my ride and of GR's own "A Team".













Theme Song for today: Dangerous by Peter Katz

Day 163- September 3- The Berries

I was out for a ride and wanted to take some pictures of town. To get to the perfect photo spot I had to walk off the road, leaping over streams and across rocks. I got to one spot that had so many berries that despite my very careful treading I couldn't avoid them, there was SO many. I usually don't have much patient for berry picking since it frequently includes suffering many fly bites, but the berries were so plentiful that I might have been able to fill a juice jug in 10 minutes flat. Instead I taste tested, and they were really, really good!

Berry picking is the activity of choice during this time of year. Everywhere you go off the beaten path, you will see women, in bog coats, bent over the land. Students and teachers also enjoy going out on especially hyperactive afternoons of school. There are three popular types of berries around September. Aqpiks or cloudberries are also popular but tend to be picked earlier than we get back from our summer holidays, so we typically miss out on them. Blue, black and red berries are the popular berries of choice for this time of year. In actual fact, the red berries still need a week or two more to turn deep red on their undersides, but they are close. Blueberries are perfect right now, and depending on where you go the flavour and size of them differs a little bit. The ones where I was were huge, juicy and slightly tart. Blackberries are one of the easiest to pick. In baked good they taste much like other berries and are quite nice. To eat, it's a bit of a different story. They have a burst of watery juice and a little sand-like seed inside that is not too nice. The kids however have a wonderful technique of collecting them in a ziploc and then squashing them and drinking the tasty juice out of the corner of the bag so the more nasty skin and seeds don't get in your way.













Theme Song for today: Firecracker by Frazey Ford