Whitehorse Daily Star

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Katherine Mackwood and Valerie Royle

Education official’s credentials questioned

The Department of Education has taken three weeks and counting to answer queries around whether one of its top administrators is boasting questionable graduate degrees in divinity purchased from a “diploma mill.”

By Christopher Reynolds on October 31, 2014

The Department of Education has taken three weeks and counting to answer queries around whether one of its top administrators is boasting questionable graduate degrees in divinity purchased from a “diploma mill.”

The uncertainty, percolating within teaching and bureaucratic circles this month, has particular relevance as the questionably credentialled administrator sits atop the departmental board tasked with assessing new teachers’ qualifications.

The resulting controversy has raised concerns over a high-ranking civil servant’s professional accreditation, as well as the message being sent to thousands of Yukon students and teachers.

Albert Trask was hired last year as the assistant deputy minister of public schools.

He has “a Master of Divinity and a PhD that examines leadership,” according to a May 10, 2013, email from Valerie Royle, the deputy minister of Education, to all departmental employees.

The subject line highlights his achievements implicitly: “Dr. Albert Trask, the new Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Schools.”

Katherine Mackwood, president of the Yukon Teachers’ Association, told the Star recently several people approached her earlier this month wondering if the ADM’s degrees came from an accredited institution.

“Is he who he says he is?” she asked, summarizing their concerns. “If the credentials aren’t recognized, he’s misrepresenting himself having a designation as a doctor.

“That’s misleading.”

After a parent, an employee in the department and a third individual “in the education sector” all raised the issue, Mackwood turned to the deputy minister in a meeting on Oct. 9.

Looking to put a halt to rumours about his qualifications, she asked Royle if the department views as legitimate Trask’s alma mater.

That distinction belongs to the Newburgh Theological Seminary and College of the Bible, an online learning institution with an office in a non-descript suburb in Indiana. It is self-described as “One of America’s Best Seminary Bible Colleges!”

Mackwood has not received a reply on the question of accreditation — more than three weeks after putting it to Royle.

“I need a straight answer and I’m not getting one,” Mackwood said.

“We’re being stonewalled. We can’t even get meetings with the minister (Elaine Taylor),” she said.

“It’s either a yes or a no. Is it an accredited university acceptable to our standards here in Yukon or in Canada?”

The school is not recognized in the U.S. by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the federal Department of Education, nor the accrediting commission for the Association of Theological Schools for the U.S. and Canada.

The council, as an example, lists schools accredited by an organization “recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a ‘reliable authority as to the quality of post-secondary education.’”

Then there is the other apparent potential conflict — aside from Trask prefixing his name with “Dr.,” claiming degrees from a seemingly non-accredited institution.

As assistant deputy minister, he sits at the head of the teacher certification board, responsible for verifying the validity of all newly hired Yukon teachers’ post-secondary transcripts and qualifications.

In other words, the man tasked with keeping educators honest, upholding pedagogical standards for the territory and ensuring the authenticity of university degrees may have obtained a questionable one himself.

“Please note that in order to recognize past teaching experience, the experience must have been completed in accredited public education,” states the certification board’s website.

Since Trask’s arrival, that body has, Mackwood said, rejected one teaching candidate because she earned her bachelor’s degree from an unaccredited Alaskan theological college, to give one example.

“If indeed these rumours are true,” Mackwood said, referring to Newburgh’s essentially unaccredited status, “then the Department of Education, by condoning his designation — because he signs his name as Dr. Albert Trask on all of his correspondence in his position as ADM — is misleading everyone.

“And also, if these allegations have substance — which we haven’t determined — then he has effectively devalued all of the work from accredited universities and institutions that our people have done,” she told the Star.

In an Oct. 20 reply to Mackwood, with Trask copied, Royle, the deputy minister, wrote in an email obtained by the Star: “I can assure you that Albert was hired based on his academic qualifications in the field of education and his extensive experience in education at all levels.

“His spiritual/faith qualifications and credentials, while a demonstration of his commitment to lifelong learning, were not part of the hiring decision,” Royle stated.

That reply seems to go against the grain of Royle’s email from a year-and-a-half earlier, the one that introduces to Education employees “Dr. Albert Trask,” a “Master of Divinity” with a “PhD that examines leadership.”

Mackwood viewed the response as a backtrack from the deputy minister “extolling the virtues of his PhD” — as the YTA president put it — now downplayed as inconsequential to the hiring decision despite the previous degree mentions and the “Dr.” honorific.

“And now, if indeed Mr. Trask’s credentials are not valid for the PhD and the Master of Divinity, then that directly reflects on the deputy minister because of what she wrote in the letter,” Mackwood said.

“Quite frankly, her credibility is in question by allowing this to occur.”

The May 2013 email also notes Trask’s 3 1/2 decades of experience in education, mostly in Newfoundland and Labrador, where he worked as a teacher at a remote fly-in Inuit community and later as a principal, superintendent and ministry official.

He has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in education from Memorial University in St. John’s.

Repeated attempts by the Star to contact Trask this month have received no reply.

Eventually, a call to his cellphone yielded a pickup last Friday. He said he would not respond to questions at that time, but would consider it if they were emailed to him.

“That’s on the advice that I’ve been given,” Trask said. “When I get advice (on your email), then maybe.”

An email sent by the Star that day has not received a reply, except an automatic response stating he was away from Oct. 22 to 24.

Trask did phone the Star earlier this week, saying he was flying to Toronto the following morning and would not be available to discuss his credentials.

The Star asked him to email a response to the concerns which have surfaced, but he has not done so.

Multiple attempts by the paper to contact Royle, both through her administrative assistant and the Department of Education’s communications staff, have proved fruitless.

Although ultimate hiring responsibility lies with the deputy minister, a selection panel “worked with me and helped select Albert as the successful applicant for the ADM position,” Royle said in her May 2013 email to the department.

The Education department’s human resources director looked into Trask’s references, but did not — and was not required to — confirm his academic credentials, the teachers’ association was told.

Nigel Allan, a spokesman for the Public Service Commission, noted hiring decisions around senior officials do not rest with the commission.

“It’s at the discretion of each department to do that verification (of credentials) if someone includes in their application that they have a certain degree.”

The Star attempted to obtain minister Taylor’s views on the controversy.

Cabinet spokeswoman Elaine Schiman, however, said Wednesday the issue is “an operational matter at the departmental level — it isn’t something that the minister would handle.”

Comments (64)

Up 5 Down 5

Tinsleytalena on Nov 8, 2014 at 2:22 pm

Right On Teach Yukon! You are absolutely 'Bang On' with your assessment of what has been going on! Couldn't be any clearer!

Up 10 Down 8

teachyukon on Nov 7, 2014 at 5:53 pm

Dear teach NVC it appears you are genuinely concerned about Mr. Trask's reputation. You are stating that we all need to look deeper, find facts and be concerned for Mr. Trask's emotional well being and in particular the emotional well being of Mr. Trask's family.

Some of the facts have been brought out in previous responses below. What more do you need. The PHD is bogus yet Mr. Trask uses it as an accomplishment and a title. Okay, sure he can say he has a PHD but, it is not recognized by any (how can there be any doubt) accrediting institute in the US.

Now, consider this education administrator is responsible for recognizing Yukon teacher credentials for the job they are hired for. And in some disputable cases he rejects their credentials even after principals and hiring teams have reviewed and hired who they believe to be the best person for the job.

Mr. Trask has the ability to extinguish a career based on his opinion of credentials. He does so without concern for family members of the teacher he is assessing.

It is time he drop the Doctor term. However, the department of education has no spine to admit to mistakes of the people within. Mediocrity will continue to rise to the top and Mr. Trask will be here forever because that is how the Dept. of Education works.

Up 12 Down 10

TeachNVC on Nov 7, 2014 at 12:03 am

Stop, look, and listen ... it's one of those things we teach our children. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young has a song called "Teach Your Children Well." Yes, I am from that generation. The song dates me, but I still believe in the values taught then.
Even more, I believe in teaching my grandchildren to question, but also to listen with empathy--to listen with a compassionate heart.
We have been presented with questions and few facts have been given in answer.
But there is so much more to pay attention to here. Beyond facts, there is a family. There is a man who came to the Yukon to share his passion for education, a couple who left family and friends to be part of our community and to live, for a time, in this great territory.
I wonder what they will take with them when they leave--what memories they will take with them of the Yukon, of Yukoners, of their time with us.
A few things have been said with certainty. Albert Trask was hired for his degrees and experience in education--decades of experience on top of degrees. Beyond that, he has pursued a divinity degree, then a doctorate. Regardless of what we surmise about the doctorate, there is no doubt that this man has passionately pursued education--no doubt sacrificially as most of us can attest when we have become students while raising young families.
Education, sacrifice, experience, passion, a willingness to travel to the other end of this country to explore something different. Also, a man who has not responded to any of this in anger, but who has carried on his duties in the face of questions, accusations ...
I hope he is not reading these comments. I hope that his wife is not reading them. Or his children ...
I wonder if we could approach this with empathy as we wait for the facts? We are too quick to jump to conclusions, to assume things, to pass judgement. We don't take the time, often enough, to stop, look and listen.
I have spoken with people who have degrees and no passion. This man has degrees (aside from the doctorate, which was a pursuit in his spiritual life). He also has passion for what he does.
Grant him that. And perhaps some peace in the midst of this storm.

Up 13 Down 9

Tinsleytalena on Nov 6, 2014 at 5:11 pm

Having left the Yukon after working for YTG for several years, I am pleased to see some of the issues surrounding the 'corruption' in the Department of Education being brought to light. I know that the 'Dr. Trask credibility' is just the tip of a very large iceberg. Like others before me have stated, I hope the media has the ' internal fortitude' to dig deep enough to smoke out all the rats who have made it their mission to ruin the careers of those who work under them, just because they can.

Up 27 Down 9

Northern Man on Nov 6, 2014 at 11:52 am

This PHD Program is a joke.... The real issue with the Yukon Government is that they do not understand that there are Very different Master's and PHD programs available. In their minds Masters and PHD programs are all the same because many of these people hiring are not educated enough to be making these decisions (and yes I am also referring to senior management).

Did you know that there are many different streams of Masters/PHD Programs, some of which are a LOT more difficult than others - For instance, you can take a 1 year Masters Program which is course based (not much harder than undergrad courses) or, you can take a Thesis Program in which you take those same courses and then add a 80 plus page thesis on top. You also have to defend an idea to your thesis committee and a ethics review board and in many cases get published.

Are these the same? NO! Why are they being looked at as the same? Our Government is behind the times and needs to really look/understand what they are asking for....

Up 15 Down 13

Don't insult teachers with that awful saying, please on Nov 6, 2014 at 5:38 am

@Anthony Jensen I cringe when I hear that 'old adage' that you quoted. There's another saying:
Those who can, do. Those who can do more, teach.
And no, I'm not a teacher

Up 26 Down 10

Julius Caesar on Nov 5, 2014 at 8:51 pm

Hopefully all of you will remember this when it is election time. The lack of transparency, the nepotism, the b...sh**ting, the secrecy. If we only did not have a Queen, we could have passed for a banana republic. We could then replace the current Yukon crest with a photo of the current premier with two crossed bananas below.

Up 32 Down 11

ValerieNotVery Royle on Nov 5, 2014 at 7:17 pm

A truly Royle disaster-limitation exercise from the DM herself. It looks like far too little far too late to save Trask. But she's doing everything she can to save her own skin in the hope it will all blow over soon. (PS , Valerie old gal , it ain't going to blow over. This one is bigger than the both of you). TIme to call in the Pharmacist to dispense some common sense and clear the decks once and for all. Severance or some sort of five figure handshake and let's get some real educators in place.

Up 26 Down 11

Wilf Carter on Nov 5, 2014 at 4:28 pm

All these responses to this piece and other pieces shows that people are fed up with how the Yukon Government is managed by senior management and three parties will do nothing about it and let it continue. Frustration is very high in Whitehorse now with Mayor Council and the Yukon House. Time for a total change out of all of them.

Up 56 Down 10

Deputy Minister Defends Credentials on Nov 5, 2014 at 3:06 pm

Looks like Royale has come out and defended the credentials of the "Divinity" PHD toting ADM. Of course she does, she has to because this is now all about her and her decision to hire this guy. She's boxed into a corner and is fighting not to lose her job.

Up 44 Down 11

Parent on Nov 5, 2014 at 1:16 pm

As a parent, I have to ask, what the hell is someone with a non-accredited PhD in bible-thumping doing as the ADM of the (supposedly secular) public schools? Can I trust that my kids will continue to receive a balanced, modern education, or is there a hidden agenda?

Up 32 Down 11

AnthonyJensen on Nov 5, 2014 at 6:18 am

What's the old adage ? If you can, then do. If you can't, then teach. If you can't teach, then teach the teachers. And here in the Yukon? If you can't teach the teachers, then go sit in the corner with the rest of the drones at the 'Advanced Education' Department. ( This one's going to stick in the memory for a long time I reckon).

Up 42 Down 10

north_of_60 on Nov 4, 2014 at 8:29 pm

The simple fact that he was able to pull-off this scam says more about the credibility of Dept of Education management than his.
Once again we see the Peter Principle personified in YTG upper management. Too many have been promoted way above their level of competence where they sit making as few waves as possible til that golden pension kicks in.
This incident demonstrates they will get away with it once again. None of the people responsible will be fired, it will all be quietly covered up.

Up 34 Down 10

JesusHChrist on Nov 4, 2014 at 5:33 pm

This is all truly dreadful. This is NOT going to blow over once it has been replaced within the Star's 'most popular' column. This one is going to stick in the memories for a long time. Like someone else here said, best thing would be to dismantle the Education building piece by piece and put in a CostCo or a BestBuy, or better still a theme park for the kids - give it a 'Divinity' theme. Its what He would want.

Up 35 Down 10

Nepotism is alive and well in the Yukon on Nov 4, 2014 at 5:32 pm

Thousands of potentially qualified job-seekers across Canada, and the one to get the job just happens to be Trask? Reporters need to dig deeper than suspect credentials . . .

Up 36 Down 12

Hal Elujah on Nov 4, 2014 at 4:33 pm

So read six books and prepare a few short (10 page) double spaced 12 point font summaries of the books, get them "graded" and there you go, coursework done for your PhD. Next follows your "dissertation" which involves reading 4 books and writing a 60 page paper about what you read. That and $2500.00 and you're a "Dr." (in the Yukon anyway). Here's the quotes straight from the NTS website, which, at least reminds the students not to plagiarize! I wish I was making this up.

http://www.newburghseminary.com/edd_doctor_of_education.html

"Six courses or thirty hours of text work must be completed toward the Ed.D. Each course requires the reading of the textbook and submission of a 10-20 page review summary of the text material. The paper is simply a summary of what you have read and learned from the text, put into your own words. Do not plagiarize."

Up 43 Down 11

More rigour in hiring practices, please on Nov 4, 2014 at 4:30 pm

The article says "The Education department’s human resources director looked into Trask’s references, but did not — and was not required to — confirm his academic credentials, the teachers’ association was told." If correct, that leaves a hole big enough to drive a truck through. Credentials should absolutely be checked and confirmed - maybe this tempest in a teapot with lead to better hiring practices. No matter how good or qualified this guy is - or isn't - he has no credibility now

Up 25 Down 11

Hal Elujah on Nov 4, 2014 at 4:15 pm

More fun stuff from the Newbergh "College" of the Bible, which is "accredited" by Transworld Accrediting Commission International. This "accrediting" body has, among its member institutions the "University of the Supernatural Ministry" etc. and only seems to accredit little known bible schools.

In the quote below, NTS appears to blow off accreditation (despite the fact that they are notionally accredited) and even seem to blow off the value of their own degree. That's called sucking and blowing. Hey, whatever justifies putting that "Dr." in front of your name- go with it! Maybe the ADM was counting on his "church and peers" accepting his accreditation. Last time I checked, he was ADM of PUBLIC schools. If the person makes the degree, then hey, we can ALL be doctors!

"Newbergh Theological College will continue to shy away from any kind of accreditation that might weaken our ability to train men and women to be effective servants of Christ in their church and place of ministry service. Few pastors are promoted to bigger churches simply because of the name of their institution. Churches want ministers who demonstrate that they truly have a real degree and education by what they are and how they perform their tasks. A degree from NTS will give you the credible degree that you need. Most importantly, you will engage in studies that will sharpen your God-given talents thereby allowing you to do great things for God. Your church and peers will accept your degree if they accept you. The degree does not make the person. The person makes the degree."

Up 8 Down 26

Dr or not a Dr, doesn't matter for role, but speaks to his character on Nov 4, 2014 at 3:33 pm

He can call himself whatever title he wants as long as the title does no harm. It's distasteful and irritating, but lots of people who get their so-called doctorates through a 'diploma mill' use the title "Dr" .. I'd say he was hired based on his 'real' education and experience, and Dr title is (at best) a distraction. The institution isn't accredited, and even says so on its own website www.newburghseminary.com/accreditation.html ... Here's an excerpt:
"NTS will continue to shy away from any kind of accreditation that might weaken our ability to train men and women to be effective servants of Christ in their church and place of ministry service. Few pastors are promoted to bigger churches simply because of the name of their institution. Churches want ministers who demonstrate that they truly have a real degree and education by what they are and how they perform their tasks. A degree from NTS will give you the credible degree that you need. Most importantly, you will engage in studies that will sharpen your God-given talents thereby allowing you to do great things for God. Your church and peers will accept your degree if they accept you. The degree does not make the person. The person makes the degree...."

Up 26 Down 10

So this is how it works ... on Nov 4, 2014 at 3:12 pm

The other night I went to the famous Newbury Divinity whatever website and started the enrollment process ... didn't finish it and closed the site.
I got an email today saying the following - I guess I should have tried for the Dr. program:

Newburgh Theological Seminary P.O. Box 1238 Newburgh, Indiana 47629(812) 858-3920www.newburghseminary.com
Dear XXXX:
Welcome to the student body of Newburgh Theological Seminary and Newburgh College of the Bible. The Admissions Committee based your tentative acceptance on the information you submitted directly to us. Upon receipt of your initial tuition payment, you will be officially enrolled in the Master of Divinity degree program.
You will need 90 hours to complete the course requirements for this degree. You should refer to the degree program listing provided on the website at www.newburghseminary.com. Select eighteen textbooks from those recommended for the Master of Divinity degree program. Each textbook represents one course. Each course represents five hours. Your job is to read the books and prepare a 10-15 page summary paper for each book. The papers may be sent to us as email attachments or they may be sent to our mailing address. Assignments sent by mail must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Tuition for this program is $2,495.00. (1) Monthly Payment Plan - To qualify for the monthly payment plan; make your $200.00 down payment prior to November 13 and the $100.00 application fee will be waived. We will establish an interest-free payment plan concerning the balance of your tuition. Regular monthly payments must be made to avoid reactivation fees and tuition increases. (2) Pay Up Front Plan - If you decide to pay your tuition in advance, the $100.00 application fee will be waived and you will receive a $300.00 tuition reduction. To qualify for this plan, pay the reduce tuition amount of $2,195.00 on or before November 13. Payments may be made on the website at www.newburghseminary.com.Look for the Tuition Payment tab on the left side of the homepage. You may also call us at 1.812.858.3920 with your payment. Credit cards, debit cards, money orders, western union and personal checks are all acceptable methods of payment. These offers are available through November 13, 2014.

Congratulations! We look forward to working with you.
In Christ,
Glenn Mollette, President1.812.858.3920

Up 34 Down 11

im tired of it too. on Nov 4, 2014 at 2:15 pm

I'm sorry...wait a second.. Someone actually bought for a second that a degree in divinity was plausible?
A, wait for it, "Master of Divinity” with a “PhD that examines leadership.”
Here's a hint people: IF IT SOUNDS LIKE TOTAL NONSENSE IT PROBABLY IS.

haha oh dear.
In other news, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster will be handing out degrees at Tim Hortons from 2pm today.

Up 37 Down 11

Another Educator on Nov 4, 2014 at 1:10 pm

I agree with "Yukon Educator"as the state of the Yukon Department of Education is pathetic.

One could make the assumption that those that go from schools to work at the Dept. are the best of the best BUT not so at all, it is a dumping ground for those that either can't teach or do not want to teach children. From what I have observed all that is needed is self-promotion and a strong desire to not be actually teaching.

As for PhDs we just had one of those leave the Yukon after topping up her pension from BC for the past 5 years at the Dept. and it still surprises me that this person obtained a PhD from any university. I would say that we need to concentrate more on the person’s actual ability & less on paper qualification as the sole determinant for a job at the Dept. or in schools.

We have a situation where a principal was fired at one school for incompetence in the Yukon and ended up at a much larger school in Whitehorse. So rather than consequences for incompetence you get a better job with a much higher salary. I even believe in second chances but this has resulted in the person simply messing up an even larger school. That alone should tell the Yukon something is not right in Yukon Education.

As for the DM qualifications, I stand to be corrected but my understanding is that DMs are political appointments and they often do not have qualifications in their particular department. However, ADMs such as Albert Trask are expected to be qualified in their particular field including not buying that qualification online. It doesn't really surprise me though as I have always been of the opinion that the one requirement to get a job at the Dept. of Education was shameless self-promotion, certainly not competence in teaching children as one might expect.

I think you would find most teachers in schools would never want to work at the Dept. of Education so what does that tell you? Just as most do not apply for positions as administrators of their schools as they actually like teaching children and those that rise to the top are all too often not the most competent individuals. Just take a look at some of the principals in this system, the sole requirement is a Masters' degree and little else from what I have seen. Besides, if you screw up you will get a promotion to another school or to the Dept. of Education.

Up 24 Down 10

Proscience Greenie on Nov 4, 2014 at 11:26 am

Not that long ago a person with good high school grades and a year or two at a local teacher's college could head out and teach grades 1 to 12 in simple school buildings. Most of those students did very well after graduation. Times have changed, but have they changed enough that we need educators with multiple degrees, bloated departments of education and multi-million dollar schools?

Up 10 Down 10

Wilf Carter on Nov 4, 2014 at 9:45 am

There are 100's of Yukon Government employees getting hurt by the patches of incompetent senior management. None of the three parties will do anything about making sure public business of the Yukon is been conducted properly. Elected officials have the public legal responsibility to investigate complaints about senior management in an independent manner to get at the truth of how bad it is and who are ones that are bad management.. There are Yukon Government employees who's livelihood, retirement and health been affected by incompetent management practices in the Yukon Government.
There has been 100's of responses asking the elected officials to do their job to make a wrong into a right but they try to defend their position and do nothing. I have asked all three parties to conduct a public inquiry but it is not going to take place because the truth will come out and it will cost tax payers millions of dollars to pay for the wrongdoing patches of senior management.
The Yukon taxpayers are already paying for the abuse by senior management of employees by going on stress leave. I have experienced the bad senior management in Economic Development Public Service Commission and Justice which is just sick. Time to stop it? They take a reprisal to a whole new level as one senior government stated to me in 2011. The premier put the DM into education without having any education or experience in that field. So what do you expect to take place. Same in PSC, same in EcDev and by the comments a lot more departments.

Up 22 Down 20

On Second Thought on Nov 4, 2014 at 6:44 am

Take just a moment to reflect on the fact that only allegations have been raised against this man, that neither we nor the Star know the details of this man's credentials, that it is entirely possible he will be vindicated.
Then read the comments below the article. Aside from the misunderstanding of basics like what a credit hour represents, listen to the tone and reaction based on nothing more substantial than accusations.
Take away the tourism ads and look: this is the kind of community we really are.

Up 37 Down 15

not suprised on Nov 3, 2014 at 11:31 pm

I hope this is not swept under the rug. Despite other experience and qualifications mentioned in the article the use of a degree mill to inflate his resume (and assuming his pay) diminishes his integrity and to have this man assess other teachers qualifications is now made farcical. I'd suggest kicking him to the curb but I'm sure he'll come out with a sweet severance.

Up 36 Down 7

... so here is a good one on Nov 3, 2014 at 10:06 pm

... going right along with the general theme that "Yukoners are qualified" ... the Director of F&CS who was recently given the position less than 1 year ago is off on a year's holiday. So how does the imported DM of Health most recently from British Columbia deal with filling the position ... brings two people up from BC! Of course ... this is just like in Justice where the imported ADM of Corrections (BC) has brought all his friends from BC up to take the plum jobs in Justice ... including family members. Does the Yukon Party politicians even care anymore? Are they even in charge?

Up 40 Down 5

Yukon Educator on Nov 3, 2014 at 7:30 pm

I've been involved in Yukon Education for a number of years now, and can without hesitation say the relationship between The Department of Education and school Administration and employees is at an all time low. It's turning into a dictatorship at the Department level. It is time for new leaders that are willing to work with the schools.

Up 17 Down 16

TheSecondNoel on Nov 3, 2014 at 6:43 pm

Jiminy ( nov 2 comment ) - I like your biblical flood idea. Funny thing is, this Albert Trask individual has a middle name. You wouldn't believe me if I told you. ( ps - the other one had an Ark and a collection of animals, two by two.) You just couldn't make it up could you? This whole thing is getting pretty biblical !

Up 26 Down 11

GinnyG on Nov 3, 2014 at 5:48 pm

Brent Slobodin - your details are absolutely correct. Literally two weeks 'work' and you have bought yourself a Doctorate for less than the price of a 2nd hand Camry!! And this guy leads our drive into the future. I wouldn't buy a used car from this guy, however if he has a used Doctorate for a quick sale at $999 then we are in business. I'm aiming for the top! Jesus H Christ !!!!

Up 25 Down 10

Sandra on Nov 3, 2014 at 5:32 pm

Not surprised to hear about corruption, preferential treatment and mismanagement in the Department of Ed. in Whitehorse. Does anyone else remember how a certain superintendent mishandled the rather recent and unfortunate 'transfer'(choke, chuckle) of an excellent principal(with legitimate credentials) from one of the communities (Hint: It's the community that people from outside.... cringed when mentioned; I truly enjoyed living and working there until corruption spilled over to the local school)?
The fallout from that debacle continues to this day.

Up 31 Down 16

antoinetteStark on Nov 3, 2014 at 4:40 pm

Just try to imagine occupying a space in that building across the river. Even before this public outing of a fraudster within their midst, it was a miserable place. I once asked for directions to the washroom and the receptionist told me to take a left through the doors. Left was into an office. I actually took a right and ended up in the right place eventually. They truly don't know their left from their right. And these folks direct our children's future. I weep for them.

Up 19 Down 27

Louisa Gee on Nov 3, 2014 at 4:31 pm

It's silly blaming the government in seat right now for what has been going on in government here for years and years and years. This type of s**t was going on way back when Penikett was in government, and other parties that were in power since. Apparently this was Trask's thesis from 1979 that I found online...you can find anything on line lol! collections.mun.ca/cdm/compoundobject/collection/theses/id/263575/rec/18

Up 31 Down 17

BnR on Nov 3, 2014 at 3:04 pm

I have a PhD in "Lifestyle engineering". Can I call myself a doctor?

Up 31 Down 14

desperatemeasures on Nov 3, 2014 at 2:32 pm

some very interesting posts here (Wilf Carter - you just need to ease off for a while , its not all about you . This is about other things beyond your own personal problems with the Dept ). At times I truly despair for the future of kids in this Territory. It's tragic they have to survive this torrent of incompetence.

Up 20 Down 20

Wilf Carter - Yukon Recriutement/Promotional Process YTG on Nov 3, 2014 at 1:10 pm

Time for new party in the Yukon that knows how to recruit, promote and manage public business. The recruitment process by the Yukon Government does not work. There is no checking on back ground, education, work experience. Some of the problems are:
1. The Department heads in some departments and Human Resources don't know what they're looking for in position because they don't know where they are going with the public business. The job descriptions do not define the position it is filling, so it is one big mess. Economic Development, Public Commission Education are just some of the examples.
2. Applications come into Public Service Commission and they have someone to screen the applications by a set number of steps. That person in most cases does not have the training or education to properly screen applications because they have not been trained on how to screen. In some case it might be clerk.
3. The job description only asks for technical and work experience background in the position they are applying for. To show how bad it is I was employed into a position of Senior Business Development Adviser responsible for the sector of Innovation and Technology in the Department of Economic Development in April 2008. I have no education or experience in Innovation or Technology and made that clear to them. They stated don't worry about that. Then in 2011 senior management starts a process to push out, fire, make retire, leave by any means at all the senior staff. In 2012 senior management stated I filed a false resume and cover letter in 2008. Senior management also indicated that I had applied for position of Senior Advisers position responsible for the Tourism sector. What do you call the actions of senior management who does not bring the facts forward in a legal process that is correct?
4. The recruiting process does not screen for suitability of the individual applying for the position.
5. The number one mistake by the Yukon Government is not finding out if the individual can manage employees because there are patches in the Yukon Gov't where managers do not know how to direct, motivate, support and be a team leader with employees.
What educational background or experience does the DM of education have in education? She was placed in this position by the premier knowing she did not have the education or experience in education.
What education and experience does the Commissioner of the Public Service Commission have in Human Resources managing such an important position. Master in Economics I was told. The Commissioner has a 10 year contract and it can't be broken I was told. There are hundreds of disability claims costing the tax payers of the Yukon millions of dollars.
What education and experience does the ADM of Operation have in Economic Development in small business, investment marketing, industrial development?
What education and experience does the Director of Business Industry have in the above? The real issue is people are put into jobs that they do not have the education or experience for and the Yukon tax payers services have to suffer for that mismanagement. Yukon Party Liberals and NDP will do nothing about it because they are scared to or don't how to. The people of the Yukon let's take back good governance and stop the bad political management that supports bad management of government public business.

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jamesreynolds on Nov 3, 2014 at 1:02 pm

Holy cow. How did this ever happen? Does anyone at the CBC have the cojones to run a story on this BS? Start at the top (Trask has to be history by now surely), and work your way down. Pity the children. As ever, it is them that suffer the most.

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Canuck Nation on Nov 3, 2014 at 10:46 am

This fraud doctor. Attacked my child's school principal when I questioned his decision making. Insinuating that my child's principal somehow put me up to writing a letter questioning him. Now to hear he is a fraud. His insecurity makes more sense. Keep up the good work teachers, teacher aids and principals. Thank god this fraud is exposed for what he is. Hopefully now we can get rid of him. I am sure looking forward to the next election, when we can turf the YP.

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Brent Slobodin on Nov 3, 2014 at 9:26 am

Here you go folks: in just days you can become a Doctor of Education.

Overall, the Ed.D. tends to be more project based, while the Ph.D. is more research based and theoretical in nature. The EdD. allows you the flexibility of pursuing a project based paper or research based paper.
The Doctor of Education degree requires 50 hours. This includes 30 hours of coursework and 20 hours of doctoral dissertation work.

Research based papers or project based papers must be a minimum of 60 pages with a minimum of 20 references in the bibliography. Most Newburgh doctoral papers average 80 - 150 pages. A 60 page paper is acceptable only if it is exceptionally substantive and well written.

The doctoral candidate must hold a Master's degree and make application to Newburgh through either the Academic Evaluation or Enrollment Application. Please submit your Master's transcript via mail to Newburgh Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 1238, Newburgh, Indiana 47629.
Please utilize the website to submit your doctoral theme idea whether project based or researched based.

Six courses or thirty hours of text work must be completed toward the Ed.D. Each course requires the reading of the textbook and submission of a 10-20 page review summary of the text material. The paper is simply a summary of what you have read and learned from the text, put into your own words. Do not plagiarize.

At least three of the courses must be used from this page in the completion of this degree.
You may alternate up to three texts in this program as long as the texts come from other doctoral programs found on this website.

You are allowed up to three No Travel seminars to use as electives.
The three no travel seminars may be biblical studies, ministry, pastoral leadership, biblical preaching or Christian counseling type seminars as these seminars may be relative to your doctoral theme study or project. No travel seminars are optional and never required. If you choose not to order any no travel seminars you must utilize six of the texts from this page.

Cost: $2,595

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tip of the iceberg on Nov 2, 2014 at 10:36 pm

As someone who has a few degrees in education from Canadian universities easily recognized I am much less concerned with whether the ADM has enough degrees then whether he can do the actual job with any degree of quality. We have had a steady stream of individuals with Masters & PhD degrees that couldn't manage their own personal life let alone an education system. The requirement that principals must have a Masters' degree is a joke which has resulted in so many principals that don't have a clue how to manage people let alone actually teach kids but they get the job and the accompanying high salary for what? We have principals that have been fired from one school in the same system and end up in yet another school so they can wreck yet another school in the system.
What does that tell you about management in this system? They have no common sense, people skills etc. but they supposedly hold a Masters' degree, I for one could care less, I want people hired that can do the job rather than the southern types that are here to top up their pensions but are burned out and could care less about Yukon children BUT they have a Masters' degree. First place to start would be shut down the Dept. of Education, it is a complete waste of money and no one not even the people working in the schools would notice the difference, it is that irrelevant DM Valerie Royle!

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Wilf Carter on Nov 2, 2014 at 7:52 pm

I have a learning disability that does not enabled me to write what I speak according to disability management of the Yukon Government. But Crockett comments are so incredible about the facts in the Yukon Government that is right on the money. The Yukon Government system is destroying the good management name.

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Hal Elujah on Nov 2, 2014 at 7:11 pm

See quote below about what it takes to get a PH.D at this illustrious institution of higher learning, quoted from their website. Most university term papers require more than this. Oh, and it's cheap: $2600. Apparently, you can bang off a doctorate in less than 2 weeks. Give this poser the cane. He obviously has no respect for educational standards.
Maybe a good start would also be to have a DM who understands education because she has an education degree, not a business degree, as appears to be the case with the current DM. We seem to care more about our highways than our kids: DM of Highways and Public Works is at least a professional engineer.

"The Doctor of Education degree requires 50 hours. This includes 30 hours of coursework and 20 hours of doctoral dissertation work. Research based papers or project based papers must be a minimum of 60 pages with a minimum of 20 references in the bibliography. "

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MartinLuthier on Nov 2, 2014 at 2:18 pm

Education was a mess when, and largely because, Scott Kent was nominally in charge up until recently. It would be nice to be able to say things could only go up after he was shunted out of office. I guess it doesn't work like that here in the Yukon. What an unholy, chronically hopeless excuse for Government representation. Dreadful, dispiriting group of clock-watchers and time-servers. Close the whole thing down and start again. I had a dream ! sincerely, Martin .

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In all seriousness on Nov 2, 2014 at 12:50 pm

... how will we ever get an independent investigation into Social Services, Justice and Education ... there are a lot of people out there that know the different and shameful stories in all three departments. From nepotism, and intimidation in Justice at the very top; a dictator (sp?) position being "given" to a very, very close friend in Health; to hiring persons in Education who lie about their qualifications, people being terminated because they disagree and the PSC Commissioner bringing the full weight of tax payer dollars (read - hiring expense outside lawyers) to force submission ... all to protect their own. Where is the moral center in Government anymore? The Yukon used to have one but with the influx of carpetbaggers over the past 15 years our politicians have became subservient to Deputy Ministers imported from across Canada. Who will have the courage to bring ethics back into the public service and send those that have corrupted it packing?

Up 29 Down 10

FreddieG on Nov 2, 2014 at 12:50 pm

Time to stake out the Education building and its inmates. Suggest the media need to look into this place before the final nail is driven into the coffin of learning options in the Yukon . Sad state of affairs .

Up 24 Down 13

BillSmith on Nov 2, 2014 at 11:43 am

Nothing better than a nice Sunday morning with the local newspaper. This is a story all right judging by the responses here. If we can get 6500 people to oppose fracking, then maybe its time to get the same level of activism going to clean out the deadwood in Education. Sincerely, Doctor Smith. By the way , wasn't Trask (sorry, I do mean Dr. Trask, of course) some sort of James Bond or Marvel comics supervillain? Pure fiction. The clues were there !!

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Jiminy on Nov 2, 2014 at 11:30 am

The bit about failing to get through via their 'communications' staff is quite funny. I checked their website and they have four of them, all 'analysts'. Christ knows what they analyze all day. Maybe they should be consulting with his serene highness Dr. Trask for some Divine Inspiration on how God will lead them out of this wilderness of catastrophe. Two by two, they should file onto the SS Klondike and wait for the biblical flood to wash away their hopeless existences. Put their Immigration staff in charge of admissions onto Noah's vessel (saving first class cabins for themselves naturally) and then cast them adrift down the Yukon River. You could film it as a reality show ('Education Survivor') and sell the rights to OLN or Discovery Network - I'd watch that crap!

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JohnsonDaily on Nov 2, 2014 at 11:17 am

This Territory is doomed for all eternity with what is on offer here in the form of education. The uneducated and unqualified leading the way for the next generation of hewers of wood and drawers of water. Best to just sell the place off to the Chinese or section off parts of the Peel and the Liard Basins for the frackers, or maybe some prime tundra real-estate for Putin's upcoming gulags.

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wavydavycrockett on Nov 2, 2014 at 11:04 am

Hey, stop taking shots at the Education folks. They are all hardworking and dedicated individuals striving to help Yukoners be the best that they can be. I love each and every one of them. I would say more, but its time for my medication and I have someone coming around to tighten the straps on my straightjacket before lights out. I got a first rate education here and I know this because my pet gerbil told me so, just before he left to pilot the Virgin Galactic over the Mojave desert this week, he's due back tomorrow to help me with my job stacking chickens and planting tins of pineapple chunks. I loves my job and I owe it all to the PhD in Advanced Divinity and Horse Manure sculpting that I got me when I was a student here. Go Yukon Advanced Education Dept !!

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Wilf Carter on Nov 2, 2014 at 10:32 am

What I find interesting is some senior people who are working at YTG for years don't have degrees for the position they working. Just look at Economic Development the DM is the only one. I question if senior managers in that department have degrees. Look at the Public Service Commission. no Human Resources degrees for their top management, economics law....

Up 51 Down 11

fed up Yukoner on Nov 2, 2014 at 9:32 am

Just reading this crap makes my blood pressure go up, we have so many unqualified overpaid pencil pushers in the Yukon, the Peter Principle has never worked so hard! Husband and wife teams from down south with super high paying jobs bringing their parents up to spend their last years in care at $21 a month, the list goes on. The little guy get smacked left, right and centre and has no say in what happens anymore. How can we get some oversight in our gov employees? They seem impervious to common sense and accountability. Heaven help the Yukon!

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Wilf Carter on Nov 2, 2014 at 9:07 am

Facts have been exposed - This shows incompetent management practices going on in the Yukon Government not checking out an individuals background. My background was checked three times 2004-8-12 according to YTG senior officials but they stated after 10 years I did not supply a proper resume or covering letter when I followed their direction including working with YTG staff when completing my covering letter and resume.
People of the Yukon you have no idea how bad it is in some parts of the Yukon Government and none of the three parties will do anything about it and just lets it continue and 100's of employees go on stress leave created by wrongful management practices. Do the people of the Yukon know that the Department of Justice has a ligation branch set up to get senior management out of trouble and will do whatever it needs to stop employees of the Yukon Government from exposing the incompetent management practices. What this means is the Yukon Government is using tax payers/public funds to pay for ligation against the people of the Yukon. I asked the YTG lawyer who she works for and she could not give an answer. Also there is a policy if a senior manager gets in trouble the YTG pays for their lawyer. YTG acts and policies are set up by senior management to protect senior management.

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Bitsy on Nov 1, 2014 at 11:25 pm

What is interesting is the Newfoundland connection. Ms. Royle is from Newfoundland as is "Dr." Trask. Catholic? Yup. Coincidence or preferential Newfie hire? I'm okay with hiring from outside if we get qualified, competent individuals. Between this, the FH botch up and the LGBT fumbling at Vanier, this is strike three for Premier WhatsHisFace.. Perhaps focusing more on teaching qualifications rather than religious preferences would helpful, Mr. Premier.

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This is a joke right? on Nov 1, 2014 at 10:41 pm

This is a joke right? If the local media had any courage they would investigate Education and social services. ... The public would be shocked at what goes on

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lesleyG on Nov 1, 2014 at 7:58 pm

Yikes . As discussion forums ( fora? ) go, this is a pretty clear indication of how folks up here view the Education taxpayer-fed teat-suckers . I just got myself a John Bull home printing set and some fancy software, so I now have a PhD in sick-leave studies, with a minor in responsibility-shirking. I'm aiming for the top of the festering pile of wastrels at the Immigration section at Education where my ignorance and apathy is going to be best rewarded. We've always been a have-not Territory, and with the current sloths in office there we are destined for true hopelessness. Raze the Education building to the ground and build a Disney On Ice theme park on top - can only be an improvement .

Up 41 Down 11

Wayne on Nov 1, 2014 at 5:29 pm

Yukon College as grade 13 is a perfect description.

Up 47 Down 13

Now That's Leadership! on Nov 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm

Looks like Mr. Trask has an imaginary "doctorate of the imaginary". Please don't let this get swept under the rug. The current Dept. of Ed. theocracy needs to be dismantled.

Up 50 Down 17

JulieMcKinnon on Nov 1, 2014 at 11:47 am

I love it - a 'diploma mill' qualification! The irony here is that you don't actually need any sort of qualification at all to work at the 'Advanced' Education dept here. (hey , so lets just make one up anyway). Best thing for anyone in search of learning here is to get yourself into Grade 13 ( Yukon College ) and get yourself some paper that is recognised by a real University. Then get out of the Territory for at least 5 years. Nice place to come back to for a bit of mountaineering or even hunting, but otherwise not a place to stay ( unless you want a cushy overpaid occupation filling space in the Education building ). See the circularity ??

Up 49 Down 19

sherry on Nov 1, 2014 at 11:08 am

I have heard that it is hard for teachers in the Yukon to get jobs. Seem to be getting harder and harder and teachers from outside get jobs first. Is there a connection between this guy and our Yukon teachers not getting hired?

Up 46 Down 19

Groucho d'North on Nov 1, 2014 at 9:46 am

Do the teachers of all fairy tales need a degree in what they teach? More focus on the three Rs would serve students better, they already get enough BS outside the classroom.

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rogerdodger on Nov 1, 2014 at 9:41 am

Hey, come and get an education in the Yukon, and learn how to falsify your credentials with real conviction. Who knows, you could end up in the big seat with all the other charlatans and fraudsters sucking from the Federal teat for a living. And the best bit ? these folks consider this to be 'advanced' education (or so they brand themselves). We used to have gold pans and unbridled ambition, now we have begging bowls and transfer payments. Yee-haw !! The spirit of '98 ( % proof hard liquor ) .

Up 66 Down 15

bobbybitman on Oct 31, 2014 at 10:40 pm

Someone should look up his doctoral thesis. Might make for interesting reading.

Up 72 Down 11

frankDave on Oct 31, 2014 at 10:19 pm

Education is truly the runt of the litter when it comes to Departmental honesty and accountability. Overstaffed, grossly overpaid and unrelentingly hopeless at addressing issues with integrity. These are on the good days when they actually turn up for work. A handful of staffers attempt to maintain a presence, but to describe the overall operation as a lumbering self-sustaining bureaucracy is an insult to bureaucracies everywhere. Were they to introduce performance-based compensation they would be filed for bankruptcy years ago. And a 'Masters in Divinity, leadership PhD falsehood' is icing on a pretty rancid cake. What would He say if he knew his disciples were making up their own credentials as they went about doing His work ? Amen .

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Wow on Oct 31, 2014 at 10:14 pm

This government always hires from outside because they think Yukoners aren't as smart. Education is the worst offender, someone should compile a list just from 2007 when they gave the ADM job (and I mean gave) to the wife of the just hired DM for Health (a sweet deal) ... Before she left she had imported every senior person from outside passing over qualified Yukoners. This DM of Education seems to be keeping the tradition alive ... The DM before this one only had a real estate license I've heard and no advance degree in Education. So are we really surprised? These are the people leading are education system. Maybe someone should check the current DM's credential ... She's the one who hired this guy.

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