Message from the Superintendant
As a superintendent of a First Nation Education Authority, I have a vision for Nipisihkopahk (NEA) that has every student reaching his/her full academic potential through an Alberta Curriculum that includes an emphasis on Cree language and Culture. At NEA Children must feel safe, be treated with dignity, and feel valued in order to be lifelong learners. We must infuse a love of learning and enter at their hearts before reaching and teaching to their brains.
We continue to provide a full range of support programs and services to meet the individual needs of our students to better prepare them for a successful future. Among the services we offer include speech & language, behavioral modification, psychologist and educational testing, student and parent counselling. Closing the achievement gap, teaching skills that help students compete in the world of globalization and international competition and maintaining the important value of family, culture, citizenship and responsibility remain at the top of our list as essentials. NEA has hired Bruce Cutknife as our Indigenous Education Coordinator to instil the Maskwacis Cree Language, Culture and History in our curriculum.
In order to do so, we provide preschool access to students so they begin on grade level because research has shown us that those who start behind, almost never catch up. Samson Headstart and full day Kindergarten (K4) is one of the most effective ways to help students become prepared for K-12. We also have transitional classes; special needs classrooms, after school evening and outreach programs. Home Liaison programs and counsellors help students and parents play vital roles in education. We welcome Mr. Albert Van Domselaar to our staff as an Associate Principal at our Secondary School.
Please join me and make the education of our children, a full-time passion for our community. Your time, talent and involvement can make a difference in the lives of children. And they are our future.