Teachers' narratives of Fort McMurray
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Date
2004
Authors
Harper, Brian
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2004
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to share the stories offive teachers who have taught in
Fort McMurray. The study began with the digital recording of images and sounds in the
community that were linked with video clips of the interviews conducted with teachers.
Such an audio-visual collage provided an added perspective to the narrative ofteaching
and living in Fort McMurray.
Fort McMurray, in Northern Alberta, is a unique place to live. Geographically and
socially it has a physical landscape that can be overwhelming to some while others find it
supports a dynamic human landscape. Depending upon one's perspective this community
rests at either end ofthe desirability scale of places to live and teach. When I arrived, I
was one the youngest teachers in my school. Elder mentors have begun to retire and
people my age are taking more leadership roles. In many communities, it takes decades to
outgrow the newcomer appellation. But, in Fort McMurray the ideas of cooperation and
belonging seem to be enhanced. These ideas and their corollaries, distance and isolation,
were explored with five teachers who have lived in Fort McMurray between 15 and 30
years. Interview excerpts and literature on teachers' narratives, ethnography, and learning
communities have helped to make connections and deepen my understanding of
belonging in this particular place.
Travelling from Fort McMurray to attain a Master of Education degree at the
University of Lethbridge was a personally challenging and professionally rewarding
experience. I was comforted by the simplicity of a stark prairie landscape while studying
at Lethbridge and appreciative of the Internet environment provided by the faculty for
working at home, 1000 kilometres north. However, as deeply as I was enriched by those experiences, readings, seminars, writing, research, institutes, and online discussions, none
of it would matter without a place to teach.
The desire to create an electronic representation ofthe teachers' stories arose from
my interests in geography, photography, music, art, and technology. Due to technical
difficulties and time constraints, the website component is still in progress and remains a
focus for future research.
Description
vii, 46 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
Teachers -- Alberta -- Fort McMurray -- Attitudes , Teachers -- Alberta -- Fort McMurray -- Interviews , Teachers -- Alberta -- Fort McMurray -- Job satisfaction