TERESA M MILES
MY BIO
Who I Am
With roots in both Cree and Ukrainian heritage, I am a proud member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba, which is part of Treaty 5 territory. My academic journey has led me to earn a B.A. (Hons) in Criminal Justice, a Master of Education, and a Doctor of Education. My research has focused on “The emotional experiences of Non-Indigenous educators teaching Indigenous curricula: exploring reconciliation through narrative inquiry”. This work is deeply personal and meaningful, reflecting my commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities, as well as Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students and educators.
Currently, I am employed at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), where I designed Indigenous curriculum for courses in Academic upgrading programs. I am currently an instructor in the Indigenous Foundation Program (IFP) and Indigenous Pathways Program (IPP). My role involves creating learning opportunities that are inclusive, engaging, and culturally relevant, drawing on my own experiences and research to support students and educators. I believe education is a powerful tool for reconciliation and personal growth, and I am passionate about making a positive impact in this field.
Beyond my professional life, I am a wife, mother, stepmother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. These roles bring me immense joy and fulfillment, and they keep me grounded in what truly matters. In my free time, I enjoy immersing myself in music, exploring Indigenous art, and cooking, all of which allow me to express my cultural heritage and creativity. My life is enriched by my connections to family, friends, and community, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my passions and knowledge with others and look forward to exploring new opportunities as they enter my life.
Qualifications
and Experience
Instructor
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Indigenous Foundations Program - 2024
Indigenous Pathways Program - 2024
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Teaching Indigenous curriculum, presentation of materials, grading, student interaction
Indigenous Curriculum Design
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Indigenous Foundations Program - 2024
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Creation and Development of Indigenous course curriculum content and assignments.
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Populated course content within D2L shell for future course teachings
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Curriculum development included course description, assignments development and descriptions, creating a teaching guide, completing D2L gradebook, developing PowerPoint presentations for modules, creating PDF printable study guides for students
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In addition to creating curriculum content, I prepared and explained differences in course materials presentation for an instructor who is not Indigenous to teach the course to Indigenous students to avoid cultural conflict.
Indigenous Pathways Program - 2024
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This course is being developed with the foundations of promoting Indigenous success stories and generational success.
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Curriculum development included course description, assignments development and descriptions, creating a teaching guide, completing D2L gradebook, developing PowerPoint presentations for modules, creating PDF printable study guides for students
Life Skills Workshops - IFP - 2024
Goal Setting
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Goal setting for Indigenous students
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Students were presented goal setting tips and strategies
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Goals were divided as short-term, mid-term, long-term, and those that related specifically to the Indigenous Foundations Program
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Life-long Learning
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Students were presented with concepts and strategies related to life-long learning to help further themselves and be a positive influence to their families, and those that would look to them as an example of Indigenous student success stories.
Researcher
Doctor of Education, University of Calgary
Emotional Experiences of Non-Indigenous Educators Teaching Indigenous Curricula: Reconciliation Through Narrative Inquiry
Non-Indigenous educators are required to teach Indigenous curricula according to Alberta Education Teaching Quality Standards. This requirement hopes to contribute to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada calls to action regarding education in Canada. My research focuses on the calls to action which ask educators to teach Indigenous curricula with “intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect”. By asking the research question, what are the emotional experiences of non-Indigenous educators in Alberta who are teaching Indigenous curriculum, my purpose was to examine the emotional experiences as we work individually and collectively towards reconciliation in education.
My completed dissertation can be found online in the UCalgary Vault.
https://prism.ucalgary.ca/items/d0dbe661-c0dd-47a8-9c9c-3c78b24975c6
EDUCATION
My Studies
2023
Doctor of Education, University of Calgary
Specialization: Curriculum in Context
2019
Master of Education, University of Calgary
Specialization:Leadership in Learning
2012
Bachelor of Arts. Mount Royal University
Spoecialization:Criminal Justice
Graduated with Honours
"The only way we can fix things: elevate the level of education, elevate the level of literacy, and it will elevate the frequency of success."