Retired teachers group rejects COLA report
The Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba gave out no Valentines at their February 14 press conference. Instead, RTAM president Pat Bowslaugh announced that it was rejecting a proposal that would have given retired teachers a better COLA this year.
In reacting to RTAM’s press release, MTS president Pat Isaak said, “It’s a real missed opportunity. Mr. Sale’s report represents a win-win-win for 15,000 active teachers, 11,000 retired teachers and government. The COLA improvement achieved by implementing the eight recommendations would have been immediate and significant.”
Brandon teachers turn back plan to increase school day
Brandon public school teachers have fought back a move by the division to increase the work day by 30 minutes.
“We think this is a huge victory,” says Sherilyn Bambridge, president of the Brandon Teachers’ Association. “We really seemed to have the sentiments of the public on this issue.”
Teachers want more teachers before more EAs
An overwhelming majority of Manitoba teachers believe the most effective way to reduce teacher workload is hiring more teachers.
Their view differs from several school boards that have put forward budgets that include hiring more educational assistants at the expense of teaching positions.
Outstanding principals honoured by national group
Two Manitoba principals have received awards as Canada’s Outstanding Principals for 2008.
Susan Gustafson, principal at Stony Mountain Elementary and Gordon Crook, Principal at Tec-Voc High School in Winnipeg were among 33 in-school administrators selected across Canada.
MTS offers new fitness program for teachers
Hundreds of Manitoba teachers are spending four minutes for fitness thanks to a new initiative by The Manitoba Teachers’ Society’s Primary Prevention Team.
This year the PPT, made up of classroom teachers who volunteer their time, is offering training for teachers in a four-minute fitness program. At a wellness day in Brandon last month, the program attracted more than 300 participants.
Program connects students with immigration challenges
By Analee Pangan,
Daniel McIntyre Collegiate
Challenges and Choices. When I came across this project title, I thought: what a perfect description of what most immigrant and refugee students face.
As a student at the University of Winnipeg, I was previously aware of the Immigrant Women’s Association of Manitoba (IWAM), through an appointment with them and volunteer work over the years. However, I didn’t realize how much impact the youth group “Challenges and Choices”, hosted by this organization, would make on my classroom.
Unexpected move stalls teacher's chess course plan
By Arnie Nermo
After labouring several months, developing a Board Authority Authorized course (BAA) for the Surrey School District, I received a call that I had been dreading for weeks.
The Abbotsford Board of Education was offering me a position I could not refuse. I believed I was within a hair’s width of having the first secondary school chess courses in North America approved, but with the acceptance of the job in Abbotsford I had to leave behind the possibility of a secondary school chess course; and now my work was all for naught, but maybe not!
Anti-violence program a succes in north
Elaine Ferland knows life may not have worked out as well for her if it were not for two adoptive parents who were “full of love.”
The 50-year old Aboriginal woman from Duck Bay says it’s the reason why she gives back so much to her rural northern community, about 430 km north of Winnipeg.
Ferland, a nurse and child and family services caseworker by training, is now a guidance counsellor with the Frontier School Division in Manitoba.
Every day she works with kids one-on-one to help them learn basic life skills. Committed to keeping kids safe in her community, Ferland relies on the expertise of the Canadian Red Cross and its violence and abuse prevention program – RespectED.
