A new pilot program has proved a tremendous success, graduating 28 students across the NWT.

The program is a joint effort between Douglas College and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) to offer currently employed support assistants the chance to upgrade to full-on education assistants for free by taking classes after work. The Beaufort Delta District Education Council sent eight students to the program, seven of which graduated.

All received certificates in education assistance and inclusion, enabling them to expand the role they play in schools throughout the territory.

"This program has done a lot for us," said graduate Tena Blake during the June 6 awards ceremony. "I have friends in other communities now. I think about the break-out rooms that we had.

"We text each other and share ideas. We've became friends with people in all of these schools, because we all do the same thing with the same hearts and we love what we do."

Education assistants, also known as teacher's assistants, are an increasingly vital part of the public education system. They help a teacher implement educational assignments and programs, as well as work with students with special and/or behavioural needs. And schools can't get enough of them.

"We quickly, after the first semester in winter 2022, shifted away from weekend classes as this was challenging for students to balance with their family demands," said regional inclusive schooling coordinator Sonia Gregory. "The class times were all scheduled for weekdays between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. so that students were able to attend class right after work. This worked much better for the students.

"Hopefully, Aurora College is looking into developing a similar program to be delivered in a similar fashion. Providing the opportunity for people to complete the course while working and being able to remain in their home communities was very successful."

Gregory noted two students who were unable to complete their coursework by the end of the program will be able to finish up through Douglas College. Graduates also have the option of continuing their education through the college, up to and including a bachelor of arts in child and youth care.

For her part, Blake, who maintained a grade point average above 3.0 for the entire program, said she's looking forward to building on her hard work.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher," she said. "I always attribute that to the late Elizabeth Crawford-Hansen. She was my favourite teacher. I wanted to be like Mrs. Crawford. I wanted to teach kids to handwrite.

"For many of us this is so more than just a certificate. It's proof to ourselves that we can do something."