Post Placement Spotlight: Claire Tincombe in Fort Liard

Claire Tincombe completed her 10-month IDS Co-op placement in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories. She worked as an eLearning Classroom Monitor for Northern Distance Learning at Echo Dene School. Echo Dene School is a kindergarten to Grade 12 school with approximately 130 students. Northern Distance Learning (NDL) provides the opportunity for students in small Northern communities who otherwise would not be able to take the prerequisites for college or university programs within their communities to connect virtually with a teacher in Inuvik, NT, and students from across the territory to learn together and receive the credits necessary for their educational aspirations. 

Room with a video call

As an eLearning Classroom Monitor, Claire acted as a liaison between the students in Fort Liard and the teacher over 2000 km away. She assisted with daily lessons, provided curriculum support for students, and supported their overall success in the course. She accompanied students on school trips including Trades Awareness Program at Aurora College in Fort Smith where students spent a week learning various trades. She served a variety of roles throughout the school including facilitating literacy programs, providing support in the primary classrooms, and writing grant proposals for school initiatives.

Buffalos in Fort Liard

During her mandate, Claire supported 5 NDL students in the successful completion of a collective of 13 courses. She assisted the 2018 graduates in the logistical preparations and fundraising for their trip to Calgary to visit SAIT Polytechnic and Mount Royal University. She was also successful in obtaining funding towards technological learning tools, literacy programs, and library upgrades at Echo Dene School. Claire’s research focuses on exploring the discourse surrounding road infrastructure in the Northwest Territories and the impacts of this discourse, policy, and implementation on remote indigenous communities. In addition to her role at the school, Claire also volunteered as a soccer coach for the Hamlet of Fort Liard and also co-facilitated nightly fitness program for community members.