Session 24

Title: Discussion Forum on the development of Wapaskwn Virtual College

Session Description:

This information sharing session provides the opportunity to discuss the implementation of a virtual high school for First Nation students within First Nation Schools. The MFNERC engagement with a working group of Education Directors provided the guidance for the Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate (WVC) concept. The WVC will enhance the curriculum offerings for students available within their current high school. The WVC development team will be presenting current state of development, barriers overcome and remaining. The session will have a presentation followed by a question and answer period.

Presenters: Howard Burston, Allison McDonald, Ron Hallock, Ernest Kuch

ICT Coordinator - Howard Burston
Howard Burston has been involved with the First Nations schools integrating technology into the curriculum and supporting technology planning for 10 years. He has been involved in the development and implementation of a blended eLearning Model to train Para Educators within the First Nation school.

Course Developer/Instructor - Allison McDonald
Allison McDonald has a Bachelor of Science (4 Year Major) and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba. Earlier in her teaching career, she was employed in Winnipeg with the Louis Riel School Division as a multi-grade teacher. Prior to joining Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate, she worked for the Peguis Education Authority for the past 13 years in various roles including: Grade 6 classroom teacher, Senior High Math and Science teacher, vice-principal and principal of Peguis Central School. Allison also worked at the post-secondary office in Winnipeg.

Course Developer/Instructor - Ron Hallock
Ron Hallock has a Master of Science and education certificate from the University of Manitoba and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Winnipeg. Prior to joining Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate, he worked for the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre as a Science specialist. Prior experience includes 36 years with the River East Transcona School Division as a science and math teacher, administrator in the Continuing Education Department and RETSD Summer School principal. He has worked for the Province of Manitoba Education Department as a Science Assessment writer and has been a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for Provincial Science Assessment. He has also served as writer on the Manitoba Team for Council of Ministers Education Science. Ron is a life member of the Science Teacher Association of Manitoba and a Science Teacher of the Year award recipient.

Course Developer/Instructor - Ernest Kuch
Ernest Kuch holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Manitoba. He has been active in Manitoba education for over 40 years. His classroom experience includes teaching both Junior and Senior High School science and math courses. Ernest has written Manitoba Science Curriculum and co-authored science textbooks. He has been involved in several provincial assessments for junior high science and senior high Chemistry. While teaching in the River East Transcona School Division, Ernest was a coordinator of the Walter Duncan Foundation, School Improvement Project, on introducing technology into classrooms. For the past two years, Ernest was part of a Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre team working on the School Improvement Project. Teacher of the Year award recipient.