Northwest Community College Connections

NWCC staff co-author guide for literacy practitioners

HOUSTON – Two Northwest Community College (NWCC) employees, both tireless champions of learning and literacy in the Bulkley Valley and beyond, have been instrumental in creating a new tool for literacy practitioners.

Houston-based Sandi Lavallie, Career & College Prep Instructor and Coordinator, and Dee McRae, Regional Literacy Coordinator, teamed with Anne Docherty of the Storytellers' Foundation in Hazelton to create The ACME Guide to Literacy Practice in Community: A Conversation for Literacy Practitioners.

The result is an interesting and provocative look at those complexities and what it means to engage in meaningful literacy practice. Written in an innovative and engaging comic book style and addressed directly to literacy practitioners, it is an accessible and highly engaging conversation for practitioners and tutors in adult literacy settings.

"This guide is about the nature of literacy and the implications for practice," said Lavallie. "It is intended as a professional development tool that will spark dialogue, debate, ideas and reflection about how we define literacy, how we define literacy progress, and other 'big picture' questions.
 
"While it was originally intended to be a fun, informal introduction to measurement, we found that as we wrote, we kept going back to the essence of literacy practice. We first need to look closely at literacy and learning in community to really see the complexities.”

Lianne Gagnon, NWCC's Dean of Student Development and Instruction has read the guide, finding it to be both informative and fun.

"I'm very pleased that Northwest Community College—through the effort, skill and passion of Sandi and Dee—has played a significant part in creating this great new literacy resource," said Gagnon. "Sandi, Dee and Anne possess a wealth of literacy experience and it is reflected in this book for practitioners. These three individuals are well known for their expertise in literacy and their successful grassroots initiatives. The Northwest region is a more literate place because of their endeavours. I recommend the guide to anyone in the field of literacy."

The guide is a product of the project From the Ground Up: A Research-in-Practice Approach to Outcome-Oriented Program Evaluation managed by RiPAL-BC (Research in Practice in Adult Literacy–BC) in partnership with Literacy BC and funded by the Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

In addition to viewing it here in PDF format, the College has six copies available at its campus libraries in Hazelton, Houston, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers and Terrace.

NWCC is a valuable community asset, impacting the lives of students and our communities. Through its nine campuses, 500-plus employees and an annual injection of over $30 million into the local economy, NWCC is an economic engine supporting the many communities that look to us to provide innovative programs and services.

Maggie de Vries Shares Her Sister's Story

Author Maggie de Vries captivated an audience of 40 with the stories and struggles of her sister, as written in her book Missing Sarah.  Maggie spoke of Sarah's disappearance, the discovery of her DNA on Robert Pickton's property in 2002, the trial, as well as the current public inquiry.

   

These touching and difficult stories were of particular interest to the students in the Women in Criminology class, where Missing Sarah is used as required reading, as well as to students who have connections to the missing women along Highway 16.  Maggie will also be presenting on April 4 on the Hazelton Campus.

Many thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts, North Coast Library Federation and Northwest Community College for sponsoring this event.

 

 

NWCC celebrates Family Literacy Day

TERRACE – Northwest Community College (NWCC) is a strong promoter of literacy and every year, NWCC staff takes part in Family Literacy Day events throughout the region.

The Prince Rupert Public Library held weeklong events to mark Family Literacy Day, with storytelling, displays, and prizes. The library handed out free replacements of lost library cards, hosted an e-book demonstration and held a Family Story Hour with special guests Carolina de Ryk of CBC Daybreak North and Prince Rupert Councillor Jennifer Rice.

On Jan. 27 in the afternoon, NWCC Prince Rupert Campus staff had the floor and entertained families with storytelling, games, refreshments and prizes.

Also on Jan. 27, NWCC Houston Campus hosted an event to celebrate Family Literacy Day in the Bulkley Valley. Success By 6’s Duane Jackson, a certified Early Childhood Educator, read to parents and talked about strategies for reading to children; this was followed by a Q & A session.

The following day, Family Literacy Day was hosted at Suwilaawks Community School in Terrace. Over 100 families braved the snow and slush to attend and were kept busy with a number of different activities.

NWCC Head Librarian Melanie Wilke attended, along with colleagues Pat Stone, Solveig Adair, Jessica Hrechka Fee and a few Early Childhood Education students. Wilke said the event had several information and activity tables set up in the gym and library and families were invited to participate in several literacy activities. The tables ranged from card making, play dough, poetry making at the NWCC table, puzzles and more. There was also a healthy lunch of soup and raw veggies served.

“Reading is all about fun and when we make it fun for both kids and their families, it’s a great start to a lifelong connection to books and literacy,” said Wilke. “Family Literacy Day is a wonderful event and NWCC is happy to be a part of it each year.”

NWCC Hazelton Campus will tie-in Family Literacy Day with Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. The campus will celebrate the event from 10am to 2pm, with snacks to be served at lunchtime. The public is invited to attend.


  

Paula's Blog - Traveling Around the World through the pages

 

I have read some books through the year.  However; this is quite challenging because I realize I do too much researching than reading for pleasure.  That is why I thought I would do at least try to do a light reading book.  The other books I have been reading for my own pleasure.  I read in a quiet place where I can focus on reading and let it be a safe place.  Apart from school assignments, I love to read a book to help me relax and let my thoughts be in peace without feeling distressed.  It is a like meditation to me and when I read a story I feel like I become one of the characters myself, you know.

Here are a few of the things that I have been looking at and what I think of them.  What I got out of it. Who suggested it to me.  Whether I would recommend it. 

Right now I am reading a book called The Book of Negroes.  The story is quite interesting.  It talks about the African child have gone through many struggles.  It is truly inspiration. This book was given as a gift from my grandmother. 

My rating: 4 stars

 

You might also like read some historical and cultural books:

• Cherokee
• You Are Asked To Witness:  The Sto:lo in Canada’s Pacific Coast History
• American Indian Myths and Legends

 

What I got out of it is Anatomy for Fantasy Artists.  It helps me to understand how to improve my drawing skills for shading and forms.

My sister said I would enjoy this book.  That it would challenge me and enrich me.  That it would broaden my perspective and understanding.  That it would help me make sense of my frustration with my own kind, in a world radically changed.  Indigenous Storywork did all of that & more. 

My rating:  5 stars

 

 If you are not in the mood for reading in text then I would recommend Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind book.  It is about the the princess who rescue and befriended with the insects in the valley. In the world of Nausicaä and the Earth’s ecosystem have gone through quite changes.

My rating:  5 stars 

 

 Fantasy Art Now is breaktaking! This book contains awesome pictures and details on the art - I am finding it so very fascinating. This is one of those "Once you start - you just can't stop" books which depicts in detail the art, the artists behind the art and details of how the art came to be.  Who does enjoy and love to read fantasy art.

My rating:  5 stars

 

It would be nice to have an open discussion or suggestions of books to read.  I am trying to at least read some books that are not related to school research or assignments.  You may have heard or read from Christine's blog and also the President already mention about the college’s economic crisis on our NWCC Connections website.  This is why I wanted to do something different for this blog.

I would love to hear your suggestions, drop a note in the comments box! I would like to keep myself open-minded and open to any suggestions for future blogs.

Paula Wesley is NWCC's newest full-time student blogger! Currently a second-year First Nations Fine Arts student at NWCC's Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, Paula's mother is Coast Salish from Chilliwack, her father is Tsimshian from Port Essington. Born in 1976 in Terrace, BC, where she currently resides, she says she's inspired by the art of her people and creates art to continue what her people started long before her, "to express my cultures and represent our people through art."

Over the fall and winter semesters, she'll be giving her take on student life at NWCC. We're excited to see and read her posts and encourage you - the college community - to follow along.

 

Former NWCC Instructor publishes book

Rosamund Pojar, a former NWCC instructor, has published, Trees and Shrubs in Winter, through independent book publisher Creekstone Press. Rosamund was an instructor at NWCC prior to 1994 and worked on the book while she was teaching at the College.

Smithers Interior News recently posted an article about Rosamund. Click here to read it.

Rosamund credited NWCC students for teaching her quite a bit, including tricks on how to remember the material she was presenting.

The book, illustrated by Evi Coulson, can be purchased at local bookstores throughout the region. If you have trouble finding the book, please contact Creekstone Press.