Staff believe that one of the best ways to support and respect learners is to give them as much choice and control over their learning as possible. Instructors honour the prior knowledge and skills that learners have. They deliver the curricula in a way that respects the priorities of the educational institutions of which they are a part, and those of the learners, who have their own interests, perspectives and opinions. Learners can choose their path to reach an objective. For example, they can choose to work individually or in groups; they can select their assignment topics; and they can negotiate due dates. If no assessment method is specified in the curricula, learners can choose to write a test or do an assignment.

To maintain a safe, supportive, nurturing learning environment, the program manager tries to be both gentle and firm. The gentleness includes providing learners with encouragement, praise, kindness and understanding. As well, staff organize events, such as the Valentine’s Day self-esteem envelopes and year-end recognition certificates, that help build learners’ self-esteem. At the same time, they work with learners to establish expectations in terms of behaviour, for example. They ensure that everyone is aware of these expectations throughout the program, and try to enforce them consistently. This has proved to be effective. Staff and learners at the Community Learning Centre developed a Code of Conduct, with a zero tolerance policy on violence. After a disruptive incident in 2002, learners took it upon themselves to display the Code of Conduct more prominently throughout the Centre.

Staff have taken training such as Eye of the Storm, Screening for Success and Assistive Technology to enable them to provide improved support to learners with special needs. In addition, because the adult educator networks with other professionals in the community, staff can refer learners to counselling services. A counsellor from Yellowknife visits Fort Resolution every two weeks and holds regular workshops at the Community Learning Centre. As a result of the trust relationship learners have built with her, several access her services in private counselling sessions.