Day 251- Nov. 30- Emma and babykins (Anthony)

I am putting this picture a little bit out of order, but while I was waiting in the airport for my plane to go home to Kangiqsualujjuaq after my weekend fiesta in Kuujjuaq, I ran into Emma. I haven't seen her in a while, she used to be in my class a couple years ago with her sister, Ella. Emma was traveling home from having her baby. She was still glowing.

Theme Song for today: Sugar by Coco Love Alcorn, who also recently had her first child.

Day 236- November 15- Jeremias Emak

(Written Aug. 25, 2013)
Jeremias was in my class for 3 or 4 years before my sabbatical in 2009. He was one guy that I cannot think about without getting a huge smile on my face. He beamed with humour and kindness, and was one guy I could count on to lighten a group either with a feat of flexibility (he had a very cool trick with his double jointed arms) or with a silly face or song. I sadly don't see him around town very often these days but I think about him frequently. Whenever I say the words "Everybody", as in "Could everybody take out their journals?" I start to sing the little song he used to sing when I would say that.
Thank you for helping me enjoy my job for so many years! I hope that you are happy and doing well with whatever you are doing these days man!









Theme Song for today: Darkest Place by Plan B

Day 235- November 14- Sybilla J.

(Written Aug. 25, 2013)
Sybilla spent a lot of her time with my best friend's family when I first came to G.R. She was in primary at the time and was very good friends with Andrea Brazeau. Sip (as we liked to call her for short) was a fun loving happy gal. I love her giggle and easy going nature.



Theme Song for today: I Know a Song by Plan B

Day 234- November 13- Vanita Emudluk

(Written on Aug. 25, 2013)
Vanita JUST switched into the English sector this week so I can actually say that she's in my class right now. I've know her for years from the school since she was one of those eager, keen, helper type girls who often stay after school to spend time with teachers. Recently she started playing badminton and is improving with that quite a bit. She has a goal- to go to Alaska for the Arctic Winter games this winter.
Last summer, despite much difficulty getting her passport on time, Vanita managed to participate in the Students on Ice summer arctic excursion around Baffin Island. She had a wonderful time meeting people from all over the world and making friends with other people from Nunavik as well. It will be fun to have her in my class this year and is already proving to be a hard working ambitious student.

Theme Song for today: Dreamer by K'naan

Day 233- November 12- Mr. Snowy

Sad to think this was the most snow we might actually get on the ground at all this winter. Darn you global warming! I'm actually writing this in January 2011 and we currently have LESS snow and winteryness than is showing in these pictures!! I couldn't resist the packy, fluffy snow this particular morning, so I packed up a snowman and then found two pieces of lint from the hanging school mat on the railing to make some eyes and voila! Enjoy!






Theme Song for today: Men of Snow by Ingrid Michaelson

Day 232- November 11- Derek Annanack

Ahhh, Derek. He's the younger brother of Shirley, a long term student I had the last few years. She's out of school now, and her little bro is quickly approaching being old enough for my class. Scary to think I am now starting to teach kids who weren't even in school when I first got here. Soon enough I feel like I might be teaching the kids of my first students, I feign fear at the thought! Derek is a super creative, energetic and excitable kind of guy. He's always been rather styling, too, love the way he can pull off cool hats! Should be fun to see how he changes as he continues on the path through Secondary! Thanks for the picture dude!



Theme Song for today: Going Through Changes by Eminem

Day 231- November 10- Qaajui Baron

I was on a roll this week. Qaajui, also from that first 'Sec. 2 Soc. Stud. class', was the first name that made me nervous. I read through my class list and had NO IDEA where to begin for the pronunciation. It made me wonder if I would ever remember how to say it. It also taught me my first lessons in the Inuktitut alphabet and the very unique sound system that it possesses. Qaajui now has a very sweet baby of her own but is still as shy as ever about pictures. I enjoyed trying to capture her while we were waiting in line at the Northern this day! All the best, Qaajui! (Which is pronounced- high-you-ee)




Theme Song for today: Check it Out (Feat. Will I Am) by Nicki Minaj

Day 230- November 9- Luc Emudluk

Luc was in my first Sec. 2 Social Studies class with Ammack, as I mentioned a few days ago. He is a kind, friendly and very happy guy. He's been out of school for quite a few years now, but it is always fun when I meet up with him. It brings me back to 2003 and reminds me why I came here in the first place and why I continue to remain. I told my first students that I am here to help them learn English so that someday, they could replace me. That day feels closer and closer with the calibre of the students I am seeing in my classes today!!


Theme Song for today: Stunt Hard by Drake ft. Lil Wayne and Kid Cudi

Day 229- November 8- Kitty Annanack

Kitty, our mayor, some of the Education Committee members and elders from the town came to the school today to talk about the value of education. They were encouraging the students to make good decisions, to 'keep on trucking' when things were challenging and to go all the way to graduation. They discussed the advantages you can get if you make it through schooling. It was nice to see the community partnering with the school. I feel very fortunate at times like this to live in this particular place. After I was first interviewed by KSB recruiters at Ottawa U, my first job offer actually came from Quaqtaq. While I was waiting for a few answers to questions I had about the position, I had a second email from Jean Leduc in this town. His manner of communicating from the heart and his passion for this school and town inspired me. I accepted the job within two days of talking with him and I have never felt for a minute like it was a mistake! His enthusiasm was built on the warmth and love that this town and it's people have created for many years. Thank you, Kangiqsualujjuamiut, for making this town unique and special!! Let's keep working together to make it an even brighter, warmer, better place in the future!!


Theme Song for today: She Will be Loved by Maroon 5

Day 228- November 7- Little Maggie Etok

I love the younger students in the school, often who I don't know yet, but who eagerly yell, "hi Gillian", whenever they see me. Maggie is one of them, her smile lightened up my day. It was overcast when I took this picture, and often on those days, photography is challenging. I frequently have to boost the shadows of the people look unnaturally gloomy, which they NEVER are. This photo had a shocking pop when I took off some of the grey shadow. I think I like it!


Theme Song for today: Magic by B.o.B ft. River Cuomo

Day 227- November 6- Ammack Annanack

Ammack is the less-than-calm other half of the "Sani-Ammack" family. He is a super awesome cat though. He was in my first "Sec. 2 Social Studies class". I use the quotation marks very purposefully as I came to find out in my first sector meeting, that THIS particular group of students was the one dreaded class for all of the teachers. They had such a diverse mix of ages, abilities, temperaments and motivations that they really gave the veteran teachers a run for their money. I was fresh out of Teacher's College, in some cases only 4 years older than the students from that class, and completely new to the north. They were a handful, made me shudder a little as the bell rang for them to come to my class and proved to be one of the BEST things tat could have ever happened to me in the first year. The mix of challenges they threw at me each day forced me to stay on my toes, test my classroom management and every creative communication skill I could muster on the fly. To this day, I attribute my teaching style in great part to them. They gave me my "teacher voice" by pressing it out of me.


Ammack and his older sister were both in that class. They were SO intelligent, very smooth and sneaky in the way they tried to get me off topic and always quick with the humour. I don't meet Ammack in the streets now when it doesn't put a smile on my face. He was the kind of student that was so bright and witty that you couldn't not enjoy the experience of being his teacher. (Sorry for the double negative but you just have to know the guy!!) I wish him ultimate happiness and success in everything he goes after in his life!!





Theme Song for today: Whoa is Me by Down with Webster

*Day 226- November 5- Saniliayuk Baron* (START OF ULTIMATE CATCH-UP OF 2011)

I am the worst blogger in history. But Sani is a fantastic subject for today so I won't let my shortcomings over shadow her day in the spotlight! Sani is a calming, peaceful spirit, so I feel like she is just the person I needed today to help ease me into my "Ultimate Catch Up Extravaganza". I am almost 2 months behind. She was a French Secondary student for the first few years of my time in GR but was the type of girl who possesses an inner peace and confidence that doesn't need to be loud or flashy, but who can ground you with ease. Sani's personality is welcomed for a sometimes wildly hyper, "zingy", needs-to-slow-down kind of person like myself. She graduated a couple years ago, is raising her son, Scott, with his dad and is working at the daycare. Love this girl!





Theme Song for today: This Afternoon by Nickelback

Day 225- November 4- Jaco

Innocently waiting in the line at the store today were Jaco and his buddy Jimmy. Jaco was in Tundra Trot while I was still the coach. He really developed a lot of pride in himself from the kilometers that he accumulated during the training season. I had a nice time getting to know him, outside of the strict classroom environment that he was notoriously troubled in. He is a fellow of few words, as are many of the students I meet before they get into my class. He has been a part of Daniel's IPL group the last couple years and has been a real asset to that group when they bring the K-6 students out on the land for day trips with the dog teams. I followed an excursion or two last winter and was very impressed by his attention to the kids needs and his willingness to do whatever was needed to make the day fun and smooth for the kids! He exemplified maturity that frankly, I didn't expect! Yet another of Daniel's success stories! Enjoy the pic, despite the rushy style...


Theme Song for today: Turn Around (5,4,3,2,1) by Flo Rida

Day 224- November 3- The Mystery Timothy

Timothy is one of my students this year. He likes to hide in his hood, behind sunglasses even on a cloudy day, or under the beak of a ball cap. I tried my best to capture him today when I was at the store, yet to no avail. Despite the lack of success, I will tell you that Timothy is a cool guy. He is surprising me every week with his gentle and communicative nature. I really didn't peg him as a "talker" from all the years to date that I haven't heard more than a peep from him. He has some really fantastic and creative ideas in that head of his and I look forward to trying to pull them out more and more as the year progresses! Enjoy the pic!





Theme Song for today: Follow Me Down by 3OH!3 Ft. Neon Hitch

Day 223- November 2- Jacob Unatweeknuk

Jacob was a quiet, excessively smiley IPL student in Brian's class in my first year in the north. He didn't say much but always beamed positivity and enthusiasm whenever I would see him in the hallways around school. He has been out of school for a few years now working and making his way, but when I see him around town I always fondly think back to that infectious smile and the first few years of being here. He reminds me of the sense of awe I used to have about everything- the colours of the tundra plants, the first few nights when the northern lights were out on my walk home from friends houses, the smell of the tundra in Spring when your skidoo has to drive over a patch of exposed land once the snow has begun it's meltdown... I often miss those most incredible aspects of life up here, I hope I can have that sense of wonder and enjoyment again!


Theme Song for today: So Big by Iyaz

Day 222- November 1- Harriet O.

Harriet is a very spunky and warm little girl. I first chatted with her when she was in the grade 4 class. She was the star of their class iMovie and I dropped into their class often to see the work progressing. It was a cutting edge film using many special effects and she was a natural performer as "the Witch Doctor". She is creative and kind, can't wait till she is in Secondary, maybe we can do a remake of the iMovie together. Thanks for the picture Harriet!


Theme Song for today: Impossible by Shontelle