From Dream to Reality: TIES Students Make the Dean’s List!

Becoming an Advanced Childhood Educator is not child’s play. Neither is making it on the Dean’s List.

But that is what at least 20 recent graduates with TIES’ (The Immigrant Education Society) ACET Program (Advanced Childhood Education Training) are celebrating!  

They’ve earned a place on the Dean’s List at Bow Valley College (BVC), which partners with TIES, to train these childhood educators.

“I am incredibly proud of my clients, and the dedication, resilience, and hard work they have shown throughout their journey,” Lorraine Chaboyer, ACET Program Coordinator & Employment Counsellor said.

A journey, Chaboyer pointed out, that isn’t always easy.

“Many of them balanced school, family responsibilities, and personal challenges — all while staying committed to their goals and supporting one another along the way.”

“Watching them grow in confidence and skill has been truly inspiring and heartwarming.”

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Rhoda’s Roadmap  

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Rhoda Ojiako is one of the educators celebrating. Originally from the eastern region of Nigeria, she moved to Canada in May 2023.  

She said her journey has been both “beautiful and transformative.”

“Adjusting to a new environment came with challenges, but every experience has helped me grow stronger and more confident,” she said.

She credits TIES for being a “cornerstone of her success and integration in Canada.”  

Through the ACET program, she said she gained valuable knowledge, professional skills, and guidance that helped her earn her Level 1 and Level 2 ECE certifications.

“These qualifications opened doors for me and helped me secure a job within just a few months of arriving.”

Ojiako is continuing her education, getting her Level 3 ECE at BVC. Her long-term dream is to open her own childcare centre.

“I am confident this dream will one day become a reality.”

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Solome’s Success

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Solome Asfaw’s journey has also been full of ups-and-downs. She came to Canada at the end of 2010 from Ethiopia.

“The journey was difficult, but it helped us grow,” she said. “Coming from Africa, adjusting to the winter weather in December was challenging.”

“Learning the system and losing our documentation made things harder, but we continued to move forward.”

Through TIES, she too was able to complete her Level 2 — free of charge.  

She added that even though the program is government funded, she would not have been able to navigate the process independently. She’s grateful for the help and continued support from Chaboyer and others in the program.

“My qualifications are now higher; my confidence has grown significantly. This has become a strong asset in my workplace and directly benefits the children I work with.”

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Gurpreet’s Goal

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Like the others, Gurpreet Gill’s goal has also always been to educate children.

Originally from Punjab, India, she grew up in a culture that values family, education, and resilience.  

She moved to Canada in 2018 with her husband and children and settled in Calgary.

“The journey has been meaningful, but not easy,” she said.

“Moving to a new country comes with challenges — adjusting to a different education system, culture, language nuances, and balancing family responsibilities while studying.”

TIES and Lorraine Chaboyer, she said, helped guide her — show her the right way to complete her work and stay on track.  

Above all, she’s now feeling more confident to continue to build on her journeys so far.

“Being on the Dean’s List is more than an academic honour for me. It represents perseverance, dedication, and belief in myself,” she said.

“It motivates me to dream bigger, work harder, and continue proving to myself that growth has no limits when you refuse to give up.”

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ACET’s Accomplishments

The recent semester of TIES’ ACET Program has produced a lot of success stories.  

Chaboyer said that out of 35 clients:

13 were unemployed at the start / 10 out of the 13 are working full time 

1 owned a day home and now a total of 4 have opened their own day home

14 have continued on with their education to Level 3 

As for those who’ve been placed on the Dean’s List, which equates to more than half of the students, she had no doubt that they will continue their “wonderful journeys.”

“I know they will make a meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of the children and families they serve.”

“Their compassion, cultural richness, and commitment to learning will help shape positive, nurturing environments where children can thrive.”

Being named to the Dean’s List means students have demonstrated excellent academic performance by maintaining a high-grade point average while completing a full course load.

ACET is funded/supported by the Alberta Government.

More information:

https://www.immigrant-education.ca/build-work-skills/advanced-childhood-educator-training-acet

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Media RSVP, Interviews & Inquiries:

Tomasia DaSilva

Media and Relationship Strategist

Email: tomasiadasilva@immigrant-education.ca

Phone: 403-291-0002‍