Digital platforms and documents for consultation or sharing
- Videos available upon request by contacting Caroline Roux, French Language and Literacy Coordinator, Government of the NWT (see details in the upper left margin).
Project Overview
- Research topics
- Region: Territories
- Project Overview
Project status
- Completed :
- September 2020-March 2021
- Completed :
- April 2021-March 2022
Project manager or
resource person
- Caroline Roux
- French Language and Literacy Coordinator
Partner organization(s)
Yellowknife Education District No. 1
Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE)
Videos and resources for FSL teacher development and retention - Intensive French program focus
Recent studies have shown that isolation and lack of adequate support are the main reasons cited by teachers for leaving the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Government of the NWT was anticipating higher than usual attrition rates due to COVID-19. Given that the NWT does not have Bachelor of Education programs for training new teachers, it was essential to find ways to retain existing teachers to continue to offer FSL programs in the territory.
The purpose of the project being led by Yellowknife School District No.1 was to create over twenty educational videos that would be shared across the territory to reduce the isolation felt by FSL teachers and to provide timely, necessary and effective support to all potential FSL and supply teachers. These videos aimed to promote recognition and appreciation of the FSL teaching profession by showcasing the practices of local experts and sharing videos that illustrate how administrators can better support teachers.
Preparing educational videos and resources illustrating best practices specific to FSL teaching would also help increase teachers' sense of self-efficacy. These videos were supported by the creation of professional learning networks that would provide collaborative spaces for teachers to work together in the NWT. The videos were filmed in the classrooms of selected FSL teachers in the NWT. The subtitled videos were then distributed on various platforms.
The project produced and distributed twenty educational videos that promote:
- A school and community culture that supports FSL teachers.
- Self-efficacy, by showcasing FSL educators from the NWT as experts.
- Self-efficacy, by showcasing expert teachers from outside the NWT.
Targeted Results
The 90 educators in the French Immersion and Second Language, Core French and Intensive French programs feel supported by their school and community in the delivery of FSL education.
There is an increased sense of self-efficacy among French Immersion and FSL teachers in both urban and rural areas.
FSL teacher turnover is reduced, with 85% of teachers remaining in their positions.
Main takeaways (learnings)
- In development
- Include Collège nordique francophone in discharge forms and Aurora College for its teacher training program.
Potential/desired collaborations
Governments of Nunavut and Yukon
- To encourage the participation of their school boards.
Faculties of education in other provinces and territories
- To promote career opportunities in the NWT.
National organizations (e.g. ACPI, CASLT)
- For promotion and recruitment.
- For mentoring programs.
- To access www.jobimmersion.ca.
Collège nordique
- To use videos for training early childhood professionals.
