Ni'tsitohkito'pi (Lone Rider), Andre Crop Eared Wolf is working to be a better educator

Ni'tsitohkito'pi (Lone Rider), Andre Crop Eared Wolf (BA '03, BEd '06), returned to the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education, where his journey as an educator began, for graduate studies with a desire to continue learning and improve his practice.

I feel like the knowledge and skills that I am learning will help me grow as an educator, and potentially open the door to work in higher education either as an instructor or curriculum and assessment specialist. In the end, I feel I will come out as a much better educator.

Meet Andre: Compassionate. Open-minded. Integrity.
Hometown: Standoff, AB
Program: Master of Education | Major: General | Theme: Curriculum & Assessment

"Andre has an incredible warmth and a deeply reflective nature that helped his entire class think better," says Erin Reid, instructor in the Faculty of Education. "Despite experiencing some personal challenges at the time, he always brought his full self to the classroom and persevered to succeed in the course."

What are three unique facts about yourself?

1. I lived in Rio de Janeiro back in in 2009.
2. I've been very involved in kickboxing and MMA fighting since the mid-2000s.
3. I am old enough to have seen Guns N' Roses before they got really popular.

Why did you choose to pursue graduate studies at the University of Lethbridge?

I know ULethbridge well, having done both my undergraduate degrees here. While doing my Bachelor of Education I got to know the staff and faculty very well and I really liked how close knit the faculty and students were. Being a working professional, the format of the program, three years of part-time learning, appealed to me.

Tell us about your work experience prior to beginning graduate studies

Upon graduating with my BEd, I did not go right into teaching. I ended up working in recruitment at ULethbridge for about three years. For the past 13 years, I've been teaching English Language Arts at Siksika Nation High School on the Siksika Nation.

What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience so far?

Applying to, being accepted to and graduating from the Faculty of Education at ULethbridge. I feel like being part of the Faculty of Education helped to bring me out of my shell and allowed me to have more confidence in all aspects of my life. Also, seeing both the philosophical and physical changes that ULethbridge has gone through from when I first graduated to now has been amazing.

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

Travel more, become a published author, continue with martial arts, help people realize their potential.

What is the most important lesson you learned during your time as a graduate student at ULethbridge?

I have learned the ability to be even more empathetic towards everyone's specific life journey.

What advice would you like to give those who are about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?

Dive head first into your education and never be intimidated to try new things.