SUNTEP Saskatoon graduate wins college's top award

Hailey Lafond is graduating from the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program, delivered in partnership with the Gabriel Dumont Institute, with a Bachelor of Education degree. Hailey is a very proud Métis teacher and presents top professional characteristics while making certain to keep the achievements of her students the priority.

She joined SUNTEP Saskatoon in the second year of her Bachelor of Education degree and easily transitioned due to her joyful attitude and enthusiastic approach. As the vice-president of the SUNTEP Student Representative Council, Hailey supported events such as the annual Louis Riel Day and various fundraising activities within the Gabriel Dumont Institute and on campus. Hailey always included her classmates and created lasting friendships among her colleagues.   

Hailey consistently demonstrated a combination of passion, dedication and adaptability throughout her internship experiences. Her cooperating teacher at École Forest Grove School where she completed her extended practicum described Hailey as a “fearless learner, always trying new things in her teaching—even if it means making a few mistakes.” Her facilitator noted that she has “taken every opportunity to extend her learning and continues to get better and better each lesson.” 

For Hailey, the highlights of her extended practicum included the outdoor walks she would take her students on which allowed them to engage with nature, and Workout Wednesdays where students jogged 5 KM around the park at their own pace. The experience she truly valued was the one-on-one relationships made with students in her classroom and throughout the school.  

Hailey will be teaching French Immersion with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division for the 2024-2025 school year.