A Pond Inlet educator is being recognized for her efforts with a 2020 Prime MinisterSA国际影视传媒檚 Award for Early Childhood Education.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 honoured, ISA国际影视传媒檓 surprised,SA国际影视传媒� said Leah Kippomee, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 the now award-winning lead educator at the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 Pirurvik Preschool.

SA国际影视传媒淪heSA国际影视传媒檚 a hard working woman and ISA国际影视传媒檓 glad sheSA国际影视传媒檚 being recognized and I love her,SA国际影视传媒� said Pirurvik Preschool staff member Selena Enoogoo.

Fellow co-worker Julie Pewatualuk adds, SA国际影视传媒淚 was happy she got awarded.SA国际影视传媒�

Karen Nutarak, co-director of the preschool says SA国际影视传媒淟eah does her job with excellence and loves what she does. We are very proud of her and she deserves the award.SA国际影视传媒�

Back in 2018 the preschool won the $1-million Arctic Inspiration Prize and since then they have been using that money to help other communities around the North from the capital to other hamlets in the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淭he preschool won one million dollars and weSA国际影视传媒檝e been using that to train other preschool or daycare facilities across the region for seven communities,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淪o far we have helped several daycares in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Clyde River and here in Pond Inlet.SA国际影视传媒�

Her method to teaching preschool students sits on a combination of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge) and Montessori oriented education. The latter emphasizes independent learning in a supportive environment and is used in many schools around the world.

SA国际影视传媒淟anguage and culture, we try to teach them how to hold a pencil before they go to kindergarten and language is important to keep our culture alive,SA国际影视传媒� Kippomee said.

Part of teaching traditional knowledge involves getting the preschoolers to play with materials that are a part of the Inuit way of life.

SA国际影视传媒淐hildren at a young age can learn by play and with the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit materials we have here. We have seal skins they can pretend to be skinning and other Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit materials like bone games and they have a sled they can pretend to use to go hunting and some Inuit games.SA国际影视传媒�

Part of the Pirurvik PreschoolSA国际影视传媒檚 letter nominating Kippomee reads.

SA国际影视传媒淟eahSA国际影视传媒檚 use of Inuktitut and cultural engagement in the preschool environment allows children to thrive, and provides them with a positive first engagement in education, that will affect their lives for years to come.SA国际影视传媒�

She adds that itSA国际影视传媒檚 important for parents wherever they are to maintain an active role in their kidSA国际影视传媒檚 lives. SA国际影视传媒淚t is important for parents to be involved with their children.SA国际影视传媒�

Being a teacher is something Kippomee looks forward, to help others learn and to grow.

SA国际影视传媒淚 always look forward to getting new students, theySA国际影视传媒檙e always willing to learn, I enjoy working with children.SA国际影视传媒�