with my mother who was my inspiration. She had to leave school
in grade eight to help her mother at home with her large family.
My mother was always at the top of her class, but was never
given the opportunities that I had. She always wanted to be a
teacher, and encouraged me in that direction. I remember my
first week of teaching in Elie, Manitoba. Going out into the
parking lot with my carpool group for the drive home, there
were my parents waving to me, taking pictures, so proud of
their “teacher” son. It was a little embarrassing at the time but
I look back with fondness and realize how much that moment
meant to them.
It is important to recognize that we all have to make critical
decisions in our life and overcome certain obstacles. For me,
I remember feeling a little lost at university and I even dropped
out in third year because I felt disconnected and unmotivated.
My life seemed to fall into place when I met Cheryl, my wife,
who is also an educator. In hindsight and compared to obsta-
cles of my current students, I have had very few obstacles to
overcome in my life. My parents sacrificed much to send me
to St Paul’s High School, one of the top schools in Winnipeg.
I owe a lot to my parents and family for their encouragement
and unconditional support.
Aboriginal people are facing a special time in Manitoba history.
Everywhere you look, you see Aboriginal entrepreneurs and
professionals. There is a tremendous need for Aboriginal teach-
ers in our province to encourage our young people to realize
that anything is possible through education. If Aboriginal youth
could take the wisdom and values of the elders, and raise the
bar with education, the next generation is in good hands. We
live in a time where anything is possible, as witnessed by the
historic presidential election this past November. Our young
Aboriginal leaders need to draw on all resources available
to them, with pride in their culture, wisdom of the past, education
in the present, to create a future that we only dare to dream.
One of my own contributions is that I was able to initiate the
first Adult Learning Center for the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Today, as an educator, I enjoy meeting and working with the
wonderful students in our Aboriginal education programs.
Our students come from across the province, each person
bringing a unique cultural background and educational goals.
I enjoy assisting students who encounter roadblocks during
the school year, and I am honored to extend a helping hand no
matter what the concern. I have discovered that my role as an
educator goes beyond the classroom, and I feel fulfilled when I
can help in any small way. I am also blessed to work with such
a dedicated staff at Red River.
On a personal note, I am so proud of the four amazing children
that my wife and I have brought into this world. Brad, our oldest,
has fulfilled the dream of every Canadian boy by playing in the
NHL for 5 years with the Los Angeles Kings as well as Team
Canada for 2 years. Because of his Cornell Degree in Business
Administration, he was recently able to complete his MBA and
is currently a marketing director with a Fortune 500 company.
Tracey, my oldest daughter, is a new mom, working as a real
estate agent in Calgary. Her work ethic is to be commended
(takes after my wife). She somehow manages to be one of the
top salespersons in her company even with a 10 month old.
Renee, my baby girl, has followed in her parents’ footsteps
teaching high school mathematics here in Winnipeg. She has
such a kind way of dealing with students who need a little extra
attention from a thoughtful teacher. And finally, my youngest,
Micah, has just started law school in Saskatoon and plans on
majoring inAboriginal law. All of our children, accomplished
adults, have a lot to be thankful for and share a common
thread beyond their family; they were all given the opportunity
to obtain a solid education and made the most of it. The next
generation in my family is in good hands.
Jeff Chartrand
E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G
Bachelor of Arts,
Teaching Certificate
21
My education story begins
R O L E S / R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
Educator in the public school system for 29 years. Program director for “Second Start”–
an alternative education program in St. James Assiniboia. Aboriginal Centre Teacher
five-years.
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