Tessa Antone
Nation: Squamish Nation
Please introduce yourself.
My name is Tessa and I’m from the Squamish Nation. I am currently in my first year in the Indigenous Teacher Education Program at the Vancouver campus.
Why did you wish to become an educator?
During my elementary, middle school and high school years, I had always felt a sense of peace at school and enjoyed my experience. I found it so heartbreaking that other students had not felt the same way because of their teachers or any other reason. I joined NITEP in hopes of returning back to my community after graduating and being able to give students a positive and holistic learning experience.
Why do you value Indigenous education?
As an Indigenous female, it is important to me to be able to gain new knowledge of my culture which will then allow me to adapt these ways of learning into my teachings down the road. I am so grateful to be in this program and learn alongside these powerful Indigenous students.
If you were to describe NITEP in one word, what would that be?
NITEP has been an absolute amazing experience so far. If I could describe NITEP in one word it would be inclusive. The sense of community and encouragement that this program has given me has benefitted my education journey to become a teacher.