Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1542824
R. Adeboye, C. Flewelling,V. Ogbole, E. O'Sullivan 67 The teacher survey included three questions that were classified as related to motivation. As discussed in a previous section 35 95% of surveyed teachers at least somewhat agreed that "Connected North sessions help to engage my students, contributing to their attendance in class and motivation for learning." In addition, 44% observed increased student participation that they attributed to Connected North; and 67% observed greater curiosity or questions about new topics. Collectively, these data provide moderate evidence that participation in Connected North sessions has been contributing to increased student motivation. Short-Term Outcome #4: Increased Student Confidence and Positive Sense of Cultural Identity There is moderate evidence that Connected North is contributing to increased student confidence and a positive sense of cultural identity. Teacher survey results showed meaningful proportions of educators observing stronger cultural pride, greater interest in Indigenous or diverse role models, and strong agreement that sessions reflect and affirm students' identities. Interviewed teachers described how exposure to empowered Indigenous presenters and culturally grounded sessions helped students feel pride in who they are, while others noted gains in confidence through supportive, skill-building experiences. Content analysis of teacher comments found frequent, positive observations related to cultural identity and confidence. Because of Connected North's focus on remote Indigenous communities, in many cases the concepts of confidence and positive sense of cultural identity were closely linked. Many teachers described how they felt Connected North supported this positive sense of cultural identity. A few teachers noted that their students already had a strong and positive sense of cultural identity, but nonetheless suggested that Connected North complemented or reinforced it, even if it could not be said to specifically increase it. Some teachers described other mechanisms distinct from culture through which Connected North supported student confidence. One theme was how it provided a safe space for students to take risks practicing new skills or sharing their thoughts with unfamiliar people. As a more specific example, one teacher explained that music instruction through Connected North—the school's only option—helped a student feel prepared and confident when transitioning to a school with a formal music program. Write-in responses to the teacher survey included a modest number (100% positive), that supported the idea that Connected North supports this outcome. Many comments were specifically linked to cultural identity, though others described how participation builds confidence more 35 This survey question was also associated with the Program Implementation Assumption "Sessions are High Quality." "My students feel important in the sense that some people are going out of their way just for them." - Teacher Survey Respondent