BP: Power of posters: Positive reinforcement at Bemidji Middle School

Apr 19, 20190

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A Bemidji Middle School student takes a look at one of several bilingual motivational posters hung by Dan and Susan Ninham. Submitted photo

BEMIDJI-A Bemidji educator wants to encourage a more positive discourse at his school.

Dan Ninham, a physical education teacher at Bemidji Middle School, and his wife Susan, an administrative officer at Red Lake Comprehensive Health Services, have hung a series of motivational posters in the middle school with phrases in a handful of Indigenous languages, including Ojibwemowin, and their English translations: "Niminwendam omaa ayaayan" next to "I am happy you are here" and "Gidebweyenimin" next to "I believe in you"-two phrases on one of the first posters the couple produced.

https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/4600558-power-posters-positive-reinforcement-bemidji-middle-school