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BIOGRAPHY

Julia McKay has been a teacher with Kelsey School Division since 1992. Due to the fact that this was a time of layoffs Julia was given the opportunity to hone her skills at Keewatin Community College now University College of the North. She has been lucky enough to teach everything from Grade 3 to adults. This varied exposure has allowed her to grow professionally and form a better understanding of the profession as a whole. For the last eight years she has been Principal at Kelsey Community School in The Pas. Her years of teaching have been augmented by local association executive positions, committee participation with The Manitoba Teachers’ Society and for the last two years as a member of the Provincial Executive.

 

Involvement with The Manitoba Teachers' Society

Locally

• Professional Development Chair
• Collective Bargaining Committee
  
• Vice President
• President

SAG affiliation

• CEC Northern Unit Past President

Provincially

• Member at Large on Professional Development Standing Committee
• Northern Representative on Professional Development Standing Committee
• Member of the Minister’s Teacher Education and Certification Committee
• Member of GS40 Review Committee

Provincial Executive

• Chair of Aboriginal Voice in Action Committee
• Chair of Special Area Groups
• Chair of Young Humanitarian Awards Committee
• Chair of Regional Electoral Review Committee

Julia is married, has three grown children and six grandchildren. Her children have chosen careers in teaching, nursing and computers.

As I complete my two years on Provincial Executive, I realize that there are a great many similarities to a new teaching position.  There is that step learning curve as I try to learn about all the different aspects that make up the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and as with any new job some information is easier to learn. However, when I ran last time I said that part of my motivation was that I liked new challenges and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that there have certainly been challenges.

I feel that I have a better understanding of the structure of the society and would appreciate the opportunity to continue to learn and grow as both an individual and a teacher. There has been much thought, time and discussion that have preceded this decision to run for office again. I have appreciated the support of my husband, friends and colleagues in coming to this decision.

I still firmly believe that The Manitoba Teachers’ Society is the best organization to look out for the welfare of all teachers in Manitoba. With this in mind, I sincerely hope that as, a Society, we can spend more of our time and energy focused on the needs of the teachers in the classrooms so that their careers are both successful and enjoyable. If re-elected this would be the goal that I would strive for.