“I chose UWinnipeg PACE because I really wanted to challenge myself,” says Theressa Genaille, who graduated from the Educational Assistant Diploma in 2019.

“I felt like it was a good fit for a student like myself; I love learning, the population is incredibly diverse, and I am the first in my family to graduate from a university program, which is huge deal for the indigenous community here in Winnipeg.”

“I wanted to be an Educational Assistant because of how underrepresented Indigenous leaders are in education. When I was in my youth, I really craved that guidance, and unfortunately, did not get it,” says Theressa. “Being an EA lets you give that one-on-one connection that many students in the system need. You become the go-to adult, and build life-changing support for those that require it the most.”

Theressa says her most memorable lesson from PACE was a conversation she had with an instructor while she was going through a rough period in the middle of the program.

“He had said that I had something special to share. That piece of advice has really helped me to not lose my sparkle and to remember why I chose the EA program in the first place.”