Indigenous grad student earns national teaching award

Tenning. Photo: Laura Leyshon

By Emily Agopsowicz

Victoria High School teacher and UVic graduate student Cathleen Anne Tenning’s unique teaching methods have earned her the respect of her peers, the enthusiasm of her students and now a Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching History.

The award, which celebrates leadership and innovation in teaching Canadian youth about Canada’s past, is given to six teachers each year. It includes a medal and $2,500 prize as well as $1,000 given to the recipient’s school.

Tenning, a member of Chemainus First Nation, has been teaching First Nations studies at Victoria High School for seven years. “Walking the Lands of Our Ancestors” is a course she offers to grade-12 students that immerses them in the history of local First Nations people. Tenning encourages hands-on learning with field trips outside the classroom to reflect traditional Aboriginal learning. Students hear from different First Nations facilitators and visit local areas such as Beacon Hill Park and Craigflower Creek. They learn how First Nations people have traditionally lived and the issues that they face today.

Every Friday, Tenning’s students form a “Talking Circle,” a traditional form of communication which allows students to share their learning and personal experiences. “It creates a sense of community with the class. We get to know each other really well; by the end we create this kind of family,” says Tenning.
Tenning is currently completing a master’s degree in environmental and First Nations education at UVic.

Under the supervision of Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning Dr. Lorna Williams, Tenning is writing a thesis examining Aboriginal high school students who are high achievers in physics, chemistry and biology. “I interviewed 10 students and asked them why they decided to take those courses, why they are interested in these subjects, and why they are successful,” says Tenning. She wants to see whether aspects of Aboriginal culture play a role in their success.

Tenning hopes to continue teaching Aboriginal studies. “Vic High has a good history of supporting Aboriginal studies,” she says. “I hope that the Aboriginal program at Vic High becomes more popular and reaches more students.”