Some footage used in this video was filmed prior to the pandemic and may not depict social distancing measures.
Year: 2021 — Province: British Columbia
Certificate of Excellence Recipient
T'lisalagi'lakw School
Grades 4 and 5 - all subjects
Alert Bay, British Columbia
Quote
“It was once said that a leader is someone who can unlock the possibility in others. It makes sense that this same author would likely say that excellence in teaching is also about unlocking possibility – allowing students to realize their true potential. Raven Barudin is one of those educators that has an overarching ambition to support all students to learn at high levels and one that parents, and guardians want to teach their children.”
Teaching Approach
Raven exemplifies innovative teaching. She makes learning meaningful by putting a lot of effort to include her students in the learning process by providing them with choice. Although this means that students have options in how they choose to express their learning, it also means that on the next assignment students will need to show some variability and have to change their preferred learning choices.
Raven allows her students to enjoy Kwakwala language and First Nations culture alongside Western cultures so that the two are not competing with one another. Raven focuses on the holistic needs of students - their social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs - not just the formal learning. Ceremony and the natural world are important elements of the classroom. Students never seem to grow tired of this modern, yet traditional, approach to classroom teaching.
In the Classroom
Raven has a unique skill in teaching literacy. Her students not only learn how to decode words and understand literary concepts, but more importantly they learn alongside an adult who transmits an undeniable passion for literacy. Raven has created a culture of aspiring readers in her class that range from students who are just beginning to read connected text, to students who are reading five grade levels above their current grade placement. Raven’s literacy lessons have been replicated in other classes as the successes of her students have drawn the attention of her colleagues.
Students in Raven’s class are taught to use digital technology to facilitate their literacy. Research and brainstorming ideas for story writing are sometimes shared between students through online applications such as Google Docs. This type of peer-to-peer learning dovetails with recent research suggesting that students learn best when they share with their peers. This type of sharing also encourages students to make more connections to different sources which in turn makes their learning even more impactful.
Outstanding Achievements
Raven’s leadership style is one in which she prefers to lead by example and model expectations for others. Since she has returned to Alert Bay Raven has chaired multiple committees and spearheaded various projects that involve Kwakwala language and culture, led the school’s Orange Shirt Day activities and has championed outdoor education. A lifelong learner and a teacher who brings a world perspective to her class, Raven works with coaches and collaborates with her colleagues to ensure that her practice remains current and meaningful.
Get in touch!
T'lisalagi'lakw School
128 Boundary Road
Alert Bay, BC V0N 1A0
250-974-5591
Email: tschool@namgis.bc.ca