Linking urban youth to cultural life lessons
Kindergarten teacher ‘goes the extra mile’ to support Indigenous student learning
Teacher Elise Twyford introduced her class of small fry to the scaly variety as a kindergarten project earlier this year.
The salmon assignment at First Nations School of Toronto involved Twyford bringing a tank of fish eggs to her classroom where wide-eyed students watched them hatch into tiny fry, or juveniles. The youngsters tended the little fish until they could be released into an approved stream weeks later.
Twyford’s passion comes through in the many ways she works to link urban youngsters with the natural world and Indigenous traditions. It also earned her an honourable mention for this year’s Toronto Star Teacher Award.
The salmon project was an “amazing” experience for 5-year-old Asher Laking-Blajchman, who chattered all about it at home, recalls his mother, Melanie Laking.
“As a Native family, our relationship with the land is important,” she explains, adding that Twyford “goes the extra mile.”
Sharla Falodi, a former colleague of Twyford’s who nominated her for this year’s award, said that while not Indigenous herself, the Kindergarten teacher has been an advocate for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples during her seven years at the school, near Jones and Danforth Aves.
That support and commitment is illustrated in initiatives such as the salmon project which, Twyford explains, teaches kids about their role in the ecosystem and connections to the land, part of Indigenous culture and traditions. She connects the project with “Aki Ed,” a teaching program she co-founded based on the traditional Ojibway understanding of the world and the interrelationship of all living things.
The fish lesson comes full circle when salmon is served as one of the sustainable and traditional foods in the school’s lunch program, Twyford says.
Classmates from kindergarten to
“It’s my opportunity to be part of the reconciliation process. It’s important for all Canadians to recognize Canada’s history and that we all have to take responsibility.” ELISE TWYFORD TORONTO STAR 2017 TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOURABLE MENTION
Grade 8 gain further understanding of their ancestry and identities during “clan days” Twyford helps organize around the social groups in Indigenous nations. The special days include workshops on mental, spiritual, physical and emotional well-being, as well as traditional dancing and storytelling.
Twyford’s work in preserving Indigenous culture extends beyond the classroom to her peers. Through a book club she started, she introduced other staff members to Indigenous Writes, A Guide to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Issues in Canada, by Chelsea Vowel, which not only explains current issues, but busts myths and misconceptions, Twyford says.
Asked about her own efforts in education, Twyford gives a selfless response: “It’s my opportunity to be part of the reconciliation process. It’s important for all Canadians to recognize Canada’s history and that we all have to take responsibility.”
An educator for 12 years, Twyford reaches out to the community using social media and email as conduits to the classroom. She strives to empow- er her students, something she learned from her mother, Margot Taylor, a retired high school teacher.
“To this day, it makes me think about what I do in my classroom.”
Raised in Scarborough, Twyford — mom to two daughters, ages 4 and 2 — received her post-secondary education at universities in Toronto and Kingston.
She expects to complete her master’s degree in November.
After a few years teaching elementary grades in Scarborough, she joined First Nations School in 2010 where she worked as a support for teachers before moving to kindergarten instruction in 2016.
It’s a good fit, believes Laking, whose son Asher is in Twyford’s senior class this year. She treats parents as partners, keeping them in the loop with emails and photos of things Asher is particularly proud of, Laking points out.
“Then we can talk about it at dinner, which makes him so excited,” she says.
Going above and beyond is a Twyford trademark, according to Falodi, her former teaching partner and now a learning coach.
“What touches me is her love for the community,” says Falodi, who’s moved to tears describing Twyford’s qualities. “She ensures every single child is doing the best they can, and feels supported and loved.”
Many parents are still affected by residential schooling, Falodi continues. “But (Twyford) makes her classroom and the school a welcoming, comfortable and safe place for both her students and their caregivers.”