
Band/Hometown: Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
Program: Adult Basic Education
Campus: Saskatoon
“Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself.”
After years away from the classroom, a Return to Learning event sparked James Bear’s decision to enrol at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. “It showed me what was possible if I took that first step,” he says. Returning to school was about starting fresh and building a future he could be proud of.
James enrolled in Adult Basic Education to upgrade this marks and explore future options. “It’s about preparing for what’s next,” James says. His favourite part of the journey has been learning new skills and staying current with technology for the workforce.
“Adversity stands out most from my time here,” he says. Balancing coursework and life wasn’t easy, but support from staff and campus services kept him moving forward. “Everyone here has been so supportive.”
His advice to others considering post-secondary? “There’s always something to learn and improve. Prepare well, manage your time and don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself.