BTA LIFT Conference 2022

Event is FULL - Currently not accepting registrations

FULL - 02 - First Aid/CPR Certification

*NOTE: THIS SESSION IS ONLY FOR BRANDON SCHOOL DIVISION TEACHERS*

Certified Red Cross First Aid/CPR Training for BSD Staff only This course is geared towards the employees in the BSD who would like to be certified in CPR/First aid.

Presenter: Blake Stephens, Physical Education Specialist, Brandon School Division

Blake Stephens is the Physical Education Specialist for the Brandon School Division.

Location: McLaren Room, Brandon School Division Admin Office, 1031 - 6th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Participant Max: 18

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 01A - Keynote - Envisioning Indigenous Achievement: Assessing Reconciliation in Schools (in person)

Indigenous Education is underway in some way or another in Manitoba schools, a testament to the long-standing work of Indigenous and ally educators for decades. The question now is: how do we know it is taking effect? In this session, an assessment model for short-term and long-term reconciliation will be offered and workshopped.

Presenter: Niigaan Sinclair

Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and a Professor at the University of Manitoba who is currently Acting Head of the Department of Indigenous Studies. A former secondary school teacher, Niigaan is also an award-winning writer, editor and activist who was named by Maclean’s as one of the most influential people in Canada. In 2018, he won Canadian columnist of the year at the National Newspaper Awards for his bi-weekly columns in The Winnipeg Free Press and is currently an international media commentator as a part of the "Power Panel" on CBC's Power & Politics. Most recently, he won the 2019 Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Suitable for: All Educators, Administration, Student Teachers

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Location: Gymnasium, Crocus Plains High School, 1930 First Street, Brandon, MB

Participant Max: 125

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 14A - Let's Talk Money

Let’s Talk Money is an opportunity to learn more about your money. From understanding your paycheque better, to managing everyday spending, learning about large purchases, how to become a saver, how to invest for your future, what do our pensions look like, and retirement planning and living.

If you are just starting out, in the middle of your career, or ready to retire, this engaging presentation will increase your financial knowledge and leave you with more money in your pocket!

Presenter: Nick Onischuk, Guidance Counselor, Brandon School Division

Nick Onischuk is a school counsellor by day and creator and host of his financial educational podcast Talking Toonies by night. Nick has spent 10 years in education and over 7 years facilitating financial workshops for teacher and university students. Nick is passionate about helping people figure out their money better. Nick takes an honest and simplified approach to all money concepts so that everyone can understand.

Location: Room 30 - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 15A - Lacrosse in Schools

In this workshop, instructors from MB Lacrosse and Wheat City Lacrosse will be introducing the fundamentals of lacrosse for Physical Education teachers or anyone interest in learning the game.

NOTE: Please come dressed to actively participate.

Presenter: Representatives from MB Lacrosse and Wheat City Lacrosse

Location: Gym - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 16

Suitable for: Middle Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 16A - Tips For Your First 5 Years of Teaching

There are lots of questions that you may have when you enter the world of education. There are many things that slip our mind or don't come up in our education courses. I am here to help! I will share my tips and tricks and what I have learned in my past 4 years of teaching that I wish someone told me. There will be time for you to ask questions as well! I will cover topics such as holidays, classroom management, classroom set up, parent teacher interviews, and so much more!

Presenter: Michelle Olinyk, Grade 5/6 Teacher, Brandon School Division

I was born and raised in a very small town and moved to Brandon to complete my education degrees. I have been teaching at the same school for the past 4 years at a grade 5/6 level.

Location: Betty Gibson School, 701 – 12th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 16

Suitable for: Educators in first 5 years and Student Teachers

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 18A - Make, Play, Learn, Repeat: Makeable Math Games

You will spend the day making and playing math-based games. All of these can be constructed using readily available materials found in any classroom. Most games can be scaled up or down depending on skill levels and all will connect to math outcomes. Some are familiar, some are ancient, some are student created, all are classroom tested.

While any teacher from K – 12 would get something useful out of the session, most games are geared for students in grades 3 – 8.

Presenter: Jon Nairn, Teacher, Brandon School Division

Jon Nairn is a Grade 7/8 teacher in the Brandon School Division who has also taught all the math courses in senior years. He tries to incorporate games into his math instruction as much as possible.

Location: Room 29 - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: Early Years, Middle Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 19A - Yoga in the Classroom

This engaging and hands-on session will give educators an introduction to the tools and knowledge required to integrate children's yoga into their classroom practices. Based on the YogaKids and Cosmic Kids programs, stories and make-believe adventures are used to introduce a variety of yoga poses and mindfulness practices.

This session is targeted to early years teachers and counselors with the option for middle years teachers to adapt lessons to their classrooms.

NOTE: Participants should wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to join in the yoga fun!

Presenter: Louise Roberts, French Immersion Teacher, Brandon School Division

For the past nine years, I have taught Grades 1 and 2 French Immersion at École New Era School, and a variety of classes through Remote Learning, in Brandon School Division. Interested in mindfulness and yoga, I completed the Level I Foundations YogaKids certification in October 2018 and Cosmic Kids Yoga Teacher training in the summer of 2022. I have witnessed the impact of these practices on the young children I work with, and I am excited to share my knowledge with you!

Location: Gymnasium – École New Era School, 527 Louise Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 15

Suitable for: Kindergarten, Early Years, Student Teachers, Counselors

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 20A - What is your Treaty Story? Story Map and Learning Resources

In this presentation, participants will be introduced to Story Maps using ArcGIS Online. Participants will investigate a story map of the treaty territories in Manitoba as well as examine the relationships between these territories and the geography of each area. Participants will be able to explore the learning resources from the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba that are associated with this mapping project.

Presenter: Rob Langston, Educator, Brandon School Division

Rob Langston teaches geography and GIS in the Brandon School Division. He enjoys using GIS technology to teach many concepts to his students. He uses both desktop and online versions of software in his classroom.

Location: Room 33 - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 22

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 21A - Balanced: Supporting Educators Through Mindfulness

Are you looking for more of a life/work balance? With increased demands in the workplace, this interactive workshop will provide mindful ways to support educators in schools and classrooms. Together, we will explore, reflect and discuss the challenges and stresses that arise each day. You will be introduced to empowering resources and leave with ready-to-use strategies to help you create more balance in your life.

Presenter: Jennifer Morrison, Teacher, Brandon School Division

Jennifer is currently working as a Grade 1 Teacher at Maryland Park School in the Brandon School Division. She has been teaching for over 20 years. Jennifer was nominated and selected as a semi-finalist for the Excellence in Teaching award. She has worked as an Early Diverse Learning Consultant for the Calgary Catholic School District and has completed her master’s degree in Educational Administration at Brandon University. She has been following her passion by teaming up with wellness educators to present motivational workshops on how to find balance through mindfulness. Jennifer has 2 active boys and a doodle. She infuses wellness into her classroom by teaching yoga and spending time outdoors. She also teaches spin classes at a local spin studio.

Location: Maryland Park School, 700 Maryland Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 22A - Student Engagement for the Future

Are you or your students in a funk? Well, let’s change that! In this session, you will receive information, strategies, and techniques to have students invest in their own learning through curiosity, connection, and motivation. It will be an engaging, interactive, and energetic presentation filled with strategies that you can use in your classroom tomorrow! This session will help you feel inspired to teach at the next level and will help your students engage through creatively designed lessons. We will hear from different perspectives and positions on how to gain the attention of your students. The world of education pivoted during the pandemic and now it is time to see the future of student engagement. The ultimate goal is to give you easy strategies/tools to transition your teaching forward. Let’s inspire ourselves and our students.

Presenter: Tara Pitz, Teacher, Fort la Bosse School Division

Tara Pitz has twenty years of teaching experience and has been a facilitator for the Manitoba Rural Learning Consortium Numeracy Achievement Program for the past four years. She has presented extensively within several school divisions and has experience at the LIFT and Byte conferences, where she was recently the spotlight speaker. She is currently a grade six teacher at the Virden Junior High School, with a key role in numeracy. Tara has had a decorated athletic career which has transcended into coaching numerous sports. Through academics and athletics, she has tailored her teaching around student engagement. She has been devoted to helping students invest in their own learning through curiosity, connection, and motivation.

Location: Room 204 – Crocus Plains High School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: Middle Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 23A - Physical Education Enrichment: A Complete K-8 PE Experience!

This “Active” session geared towards K-8 Physical Education teachers will give attendees a wide variety of “Take-Aways” related to Physical Education. From new activities to try, infusion of technology, to efficient assessment, this session will be sure to have something to “ENRICH” your Physical Education programming.

Participants should come prepared to move a little and get “Hands On” with the presentation topics. This session will also address the most current trends in the PE world and how easy they are to access.

NOTE: Session will take place at J.R. Reid School (813-26th Street). Please use SW Doors marked by the gymnasium to enter the building.

Presenter: Derek Richels, K-8 Physical Education/Health Teacher, Brandon School Division

Derek Richels is a 20+ year teacher and PE content creator in the Brandon School Division and is currently teaching full time K-8 Physical Education/Health at J.R. Reid School in Brandon. Derek is married to his wife Kim, also a teacher, and has two young boys who keep them busy with lots of PE related activities outside of the school day!

Location: J.R. Reid School Gymnasium, 813 – 26th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 24

Suitable for: K-8 Physical Education Teachers

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 24A - Pickle Ball 101!

This session will guide you through the rules and shots of pickle ball. Come dressed to participate in runners, and athletic wear. If you have your own Pickle Ball paddle, be sure to bring it. Once we have reviewed the rules and strategy of the game, we will play some games to familiarize ourselves better with how the game is played.

Presenter: Jason Curtis, PE Specialist, Brandon School Division

Jason Curtis has been playing racquet sports for his entire adult life. He was a competitive Badminton player for 22 years, playing on the MB circuit and competing in many tournaments. Recently he has picked up the game of Pickle Ball and has been competing here in MB and SK. He won the Arborg open, the Battle of the Paddles here in Brandon, and also the Queen City Pickle Ball Open in Regina.

Location: Gymnasium, Kirkcaldy Heights School, 10 Knowlton Drive, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 16

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 25A - Mindfulness and Mental Health - Make and Take Activities

This session will provide educators with practical mindfulness and mental health activities to use in the classroom. Participants will enjoy a hands-on 'make and take' approach leaving the session with tools and examples that can be used in the classroom. The activities promote and protect mental well-being and will be applicable to students across a wide range of grades and ages. Positive mental health and mindfulness resources will also be shared and discussed.

Presenter: Claire Dickson, Classroom Teacher and School Counsellor, Brandon School Division

Claire is a classroom teacher and school counsellor in the Brandon School Division. She enjoys teaching mental health and mindfulness lessons to students at Betty Gibson school. She hopes to help teachers incorporate mindfulness into their classroom with ease.

Location: Room 205, Crocus Plains High School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $35.00 until October 3 / $40.00 after October 3 (includes $10.00 for supplies)

FULL - 26A - Empowering Neurodiverse Learners Within Inclusive Classroom Settings

What does inclusion in the classroom look, feel, and sound like? How can atypical learners become more empowered through increased engagement and independence in classroom life? In this session participants will be introduced to fundamentals of structured teaching approaches, build a deeper understanding of how to plan for the learning styles of atypical learners, and learn how to implement classroom-based strategies that compliment adaptive curriculum concepts. Participants will be provided with hands-on tools, opportunities to learn how to create task systems, and how to build a structured teaching program.

Presenter: Bobbi Schaminee, Grade 1 Teacher, Brandon School Division

Bobbi Schaminee received her B.Ed. A.D. from Brandon University, Orff Level 1 from University of Manitoba, and TEACCH Autism Program training and coaching certificate from the University of North Carolina. Bobbi has presented for Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs and the Manitoba Orff Chapter. She has enjoyed a variety of teaching roles for K-6 Music, HALEP, Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 4. Bobbi currently teaches grade one at Riverheights School.

Location: Room 6, Riverheights School, 32E. Fotheringham Drive, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: K-8, Music, Phys.Ed Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 27A - Understanding Indigenous Diversity

This workshop is designed to give a basic overview and to provide some general knowledge of Indigenous people. The overall goal will be to provide understanding and several take‐aways to assist you in your work with Indigenous people. Many of you will already have experience working with Indigenous people and there will be lots of opportunity to share your knowledge during the workshop.
Key points to be presented and discussed include: basic history of Indigenous peoples, history of the Indigenous groups in Manitoba, the meaning of systemic racism, the effect of colonization on loss of cultural identity/self‐worth, contributions and participation in Canada’s development, current and historical implications of legislation including the Indian Act, contemporary relationships within Canada, and their subsequent implications for service provision.

Presenter: Douglas Pople, Career Planning & Placement Officer, Brandon University

Doug is a proud Métis and has a keen interest in promoting and working towards a workforce representative of our population. He is actively involved in a number of organizations including being a Director for the Louis Riel Institute. Doug has been an active member of the Interprovincial Association on Native Employment (IANE) – Westman Chapter for the past 16 years and is currently the Chair. Doug earned his Bachelor of General Studies from Brandon University in 1990. He places a high value on education and is committed to professional development. Through part‐time studies, he graduated again in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts. Doug is currently nearing completion of his Masters in Rural Development with a particular focus on Indigenous issues.

Commitment to his community has always been a major focus. Doug has participated in a number of community activities and initiatives including sitting on the Brandon United Way board for 7 years. Doug was an active HRMAM member for many years co‐chairing the Westman Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba Annual Fun Golf Classic. He is a proponent of youth and coached soccer, baseball and ringette for a total of 15 years. In recognition of his volunteer activities, Doug was honoured with the BU Board of Governors’ Award For Excellence In Community Service awarded to “an individual who has made a positive impact on the quality of life in society through their community service”.

Doug is the Career Planning and Placement Officer at Brandon University. In this capacity he sees the importance education makes in peoples’ lives. He also teaches sessionally at Brandon University, he previously instructed an on‐line certificate program through the Faculty of Education and taught several evening courses at ACC. He is a huge proponent of positive personal change and individual empowerment while still being aware of the historical realities in which we live.

Location: Ceremony Room, Brandon University, 270 – 18th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 28A - Ungrading: Empowering Students Through Assessment

Tired of students only being able to mimic what you do, but not actually understand? Done with the stress of students haggling for part marks every assessment? Starting to realize that traditional assessment models aren’t equitable for all students? This half-day session is open to teachers of all disciplines and will explore how some traditional practices can undermine our students’ learning and several potential solutions. The focus on this presentation will be on ungrading, the idea that removing grades as much as possible from the classroom environment can have a tremendous benefit on student learning and mental health. Other assessment models that will be discussed include standards-based grading, skills-based grading, and gamification. Participants will walk away with resources to help them make the shift to a modern classroom that promotes learning and growth.

Presenter: Christopher Sarkonak, Teacher, Brandon School Division

Christopher Sarkonak is a Physics teacher at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School and was the first Canadian high school teacher to be selected by CERN to attend their International High School Teacher Programme in 2019. He is also a member of the Perimeter Institute Teacher Network, the PASCO Champions team, and is the teacher mentor for the Crocus Plains STEM for Girls program. He has worked with several different assessment models in both mathematics and science courses.

Location: Room 226 - Crocus Plains Regional Secondary High School, 1930 – First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 27

Suitable for:Senior Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 30A - Tips for Implementing Augmentative/Alternative Communications (ACC) in the Classroom - Making

Looking for creative ways to support students in your classroom who may have limited or no speech? We will give you ideas and strategies for you and for EAs working with your students who may use AAC such as core boards, iPads with communication apps or who are just beginning to use visuals to communicate. Walk away with ideas you can try in your classroom on Monday!

Presenter: Jan Pilling, Donna Wilson, Speech Language Pathologists, and Stephanie Innes, Early Years Teacher, Brandon School Division

Jan Pilling is a Speech Language Pathologist who has worked in the field for over 25 years. She is passionate about working with students who have complex communication needs and who utilize augmentative/alternative communication systems. Most recently she was instrumental in starting up Accessible Learning in the Brandon School Division and up until this year provided training, support and access to communication systems and assistive technology.

Stephanie Innes began as an educational assistant and after working with a non-verbal student was inspired to go back to school to become a teacher. As a grade 1/2 classroom teacher she strives to provide inclusive programming and foster a community-based classroom. While implementing strategies and ideas in the classroom setting, she has used many different resources, visuals and tools that support students with limited communication abilities.

Donna Wilson is an experienced Speech Language Pathologist who has worked more then 30 years in the public schools with many students who have communication needs and has been instrumental in the successful implementation of AAC systems in the classroom setting.

Location: Music Room (Room 110) – Crocus Plains High School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: Early Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 31A - Nutrients for Life

Join Kent for a hands on session about the free resources and programing available from Nutrients for Life Canada. Participants will get their hands dirty while learning about the programs offered by NFL Canada! Great fits to many science and social studies programs!

Presenter: Kent Lewarne, Regional Manager, Nutrients for Life

Kent is the Manitoba Regional Manager for Nutrients for Life Foundation Canada. As a retired Science teacher Kent can help teachers to connect NFL resources to the outcomes and provide more tools for that teacher tool belt of yours!

Location: Room 225 – Crocus Plains High School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Participant Max: 20

Suitable for: Middle and Senior Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 37A - Bake My Day!

Stressed is desserts spelled backwards! Coincidence? I don't think so! Spend half a day baking your stress away.

Presenter: Des Tucker, Early Years Teacher, Brandon School Division

Baking makes me happy! The smell of something sweet baking in the oven is the best smell in the world! I have 2 daughters at home and baking together is one of our very favourite things to do! As I mentioned, I am a momma, a wife, and a teacher. I teach Grade 1, and I love to incorporate baking into my lessons and activities whenever possible.

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 38A - Master Your Retirement

Join us to learn key actions into securing the retirement you have always wanted. Although the past couple years has been littered with uncertainty, it has motivated many Canadians to rethink how they can maximize their savings and leverage their assets in new ways for retirement.

We will discuss, with a focus on teachers and TRAF, the importance of managing your plan through market volatility, how to identify sources of retirement income to reach your retirement goals, and answer the most frequently asked questions on tax, investment considerations, and new trends impacting the way Canadians are thinking about retirement.

Presenter: Cal Vanderschuit, Division Director and Jack Coulson, Consultant- IG Wealth Management

An award winning Certified Financial Planner, Cal ranks among the top 10 Division Directors at IG Wealth Management in Canada. Cal came to us from the teaching industry and uses his skills to break down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand material for his clients so that they know and understand their IG Living Plan. He is very active in his local community of Onanole where he is the President of the Onanole Foundation which raises donations for local charities. Cal is married to Lauren and they live on an acreage just south of Riding Mountain National Park with their dog Stella. He splits his time between the Onanole and Brandon office.

Jack is a retired teacher, (30+ years in Rolling River School Division), who has had an interest in finance and markets for many years. Following retirement from teaching, he joined IG Wealth as a Consultant and works out of the Onanole and Brandon Region Office. He enjoys helping people get their financial picture in order and taking some of the confusion out of their financial futures.

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Participant Max: 60

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 39A - Setting Up Routines in your New Classroom

This session will introduce new teachers to a variety of classroom routines for math, ELA, science, social studies, classroom management, mindfulness, brain breaks, and more! The purpose of this session is to give new teachers some 'go-to' activities that will highlight important skills, build a positive classroom climate, and help to foster an atmosphere of learning. I have collected these routines throughout my career from co-workers, teaching friends, PD sessions, and the good ol' internet. Together we will create a collection of useful routines to help set you up for success in your new classroom!

Presenter: Amy Lee, Middle Years Teacher, Mountain View School Division

Hello! My name is Amy Lee, I am a middle years teacher in the first 10 years of my teaching career. I have taught grades 4-8, with most of my experience being at the 7/8 level. I have relied heavily on implementing easy to use activities and routines to help my classroom run smoothly. I believe routines provide structure for teachers and for students.

Over the years I have collected routines and activities from other teachers, PD sessions, and from the good ol' internet. I am looking forward to having conversations about some great activities that you can use as a new teacher in your middle years classroom. These routines will highlight basic skills in the core subject areas, some mindfulness activities, and a wide array of 'brain break' style activities as well.

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: Student Teachers, New Teachers

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 40A - When Does Healthy Eating Become Unhealthy?

Join Registered Dietitian, Amanda Hamel, in a discussion on the nuances of ‘clean eating’, ‘good vs. bad’ foods and how to take care of yourself in a society that values weight loss and dieting. We’ll discuss:

• What is ‘healthy’ eating anyway?
• When ‘healthy’ eating takes a turn for the negative
• How to spot diet culture and protect your mental health
• Changing the way we talk about food, bodies and movement
• How you can support kids (and yourself) towards a more positive relationship with food
After this session, you’ll also discover helpful resources for not only you, but also your students.

Presenter: Amanda Hamel, Registered Dietitian/Nutrition Educator with Nüton

Amanda is a Nutrition Programs Educator for Nüton, a team of dietitians committed to providing training and nutrition programs to Manitoba educators so they can help kids feel comfortable around food and eating.

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 20

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 41A - High Impact Teams

Participants will identify characteristics of and strategies to enhance meaningful collaborative work within grade-level teams, PLCs, and departments. Topics: Qualities of high-performing groups, strengths and impacts of work style preferences; tools for talking about things that matter.

Presenter:The Manitoba Teachers' Society Teacher Led Learning Team

The TLLT team respects the knowledge, skills, and experience that participants bring, and our aim is to offer new information about a topic and invite participants to connect with each other, the topic, and their learning goals.

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 40

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 42A - Project 11 Positive Mental Wellness Program K-12

Project 11 is an engaging cross-curricular proactive program targeting Manitoba’s English Language Arts and Health outcomes. Weekly lessons and daily activities have been designed to help support students and teachers in bringing mental health awareness, along with positive coping skills. It is available to support teachers and students in kindergarten to grade 12 (French and English) with virtual tutorials educating students about Mental Wellness. In addition to the Mental Wellness lessons, there are over 200 daily activities promoting healthy lifestyle practices which teachers can access and incorporate into their class. Project 11 uses concepts such as practicing focusing the mind, increasing self-awareness of feelings and strengths, and building positive relationships.

Presenter: Members of the True North Youth Foundation – Project 11 Team

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 60

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 03 - Great Books for Great Kids

Together, Sally and Don will share some new illustrated books, information books, poetry, picture books, biographies and graphic novels. They might even sneak in a few of their old favourites.

Come join them for a day filled with great books for great kids!

Presenters: Sally Bender and Don Cuggy, Retired Teachers

Sally is a retired teacher with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for books.

Don is also a retired teacher fortunate to have a kind friend like Sally patient enough to put up with him for these many years.

Location: Gymnasium – Linden Lanes School, 49 Silver Birch Drive, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 60

Suitable for: Kindergarten, Early Years, Middle Years, Student Teachers

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 04 - Game-Based Learning in Social Studies Programming

This full-day session will provide educators in senior years with game resources to use in their classrooms. Educators will have the opportunity to engage in a number of commercial off the shelf games, simulations, and role-playing games in this session. The games presented in this session will be put into the context of specific curriculum outcomes. Tips and games to use in extracurricular game clubs will also be presented as a means of engagement with students and the positive development of relationships through entertainment.

Presenter: Jeremy Roberts, Educator, Rolling River School Division

Jeremy Roberts is an educator in his sixth year in Rolling River School Division. He incorporates ludological practices in his classroom to provoke critical thinking, intrinsic motivation, and dialogical relations. He recently completed his Master’s thesis on using the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons as an interruption to the curriculum-as-plan.

Location: Room 117 - Crocus Plains High School, 1930 – First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: Senior Years, Student Teachers

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 05 - Digital Scrapbooking

Teresa has been scrapbooking and making cards for many years, both paper and digital. She currently uses the online Picaboo program to make cards, calendars and books. She has created many different books over the years, including memory books from vacations, wedding albums, baby albums, pattern books for young children, family history albums and many more. Teresa will share a variety of the items she has created. Learn to create your own memory books, calendars or cards using the user friendly online Picaboo program.

Presenter: Teresa Flannery, Teacher-Academic Support, Brandon School Division

Teresa is an Early Years Educator at Meadows School in the Brandon School Division. She currently works as the Literacy Coach and Academic Support for the school. She has several hobbies that include photography, cake decorating, card making and scrapbooking.

Location: Room 216 – Crocus Plains High School, 1930 – First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 06 - Intro to Watercolour: Building Teacher and Student Confidence in Art

In this session participants will experience the class as they would teach it back in their classroom. Learn about the importance of instilling confidence in students by allowing them to create artworks that they can be proud of, as well as how to create the flow of confidence in the Art room. This session will run through a whole unit of the basics of watercolour painting, as well as a final portrait painting project that EVERY student can find success in. This session will be hands on, participants will get the opportunity to try out the techniques as we go.

Presenter: Nicole Wruth, Art Specialist

Nicole is a world traveler from rural Manitoba, and has been a public school teacher for 6 years. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Fine Arts Degree, travelled, and then received a degree in Education. She started her teaching career in Churchill, MB and since then has held a variety of teaching positions where she has worked as the Art specialist, along with teaching homeroom subjects where she always strived to incorporate the Arts cross-curricular. She spent two years in Gillam teaching 5/6, was the Dance and Drama specialist at Garden Valley Collegiate, and taught grade 7/8 in Rolling River School Division.

Location: Art Room (Room 108) – Crocus Plains High School, 1930 – First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 12

Suitable for: Middle Years

Cost: $60.00 until October 3 / $70.00 after October 3 (includes $10.00 for supplies)

FULL - 07 - A Structured Literacy Approach

Have you been hearing about the science of reading and a structured literacy approach, but don’t know where to start? We have been learning about them for over a year and would like to share what we have learned, our favorite resources and our successes. We will look at phonemic awareness activities, orthographic mapping, the heart word method for high frequency words, decodable readers, sound walls and assessments that we have tried. (Session in English)

Presenters: Mona Hammond, Literacy Support Teacher, Jody Carkener, Grade 1 French Immersion Teacher
and Kim Schutte, Grade 1 French Immersion Teacher, Brandon School Division

Mona Hammond, Jody Carkener and Kim Schutte are French Immersion teachers in the Brandon School Division, each with over 25 years of teaching experience. They have worked collaboratively in their early years team at École Harrison for over 10 years. When the pandemic started, they began learning about the science of reading and structured literacy. In June 2021, they were successful in obtaining a $25,000 grant from the Manitoba government’s Teachers' Idea Fund. During the 2021-22 school year, they continued with their professional development and purchased resources to support their shift to a structured literacy approach to help all students on their literacy learning path.

Location: École Harrison, 415 Queens Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: Early Years

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 08 - Teaching High School Computer Science

The purpose of this presentation is to discuss different programming courses, content, and resources. It is also an opportunity to network with other computer science teachers in order to share ideas and make connections. Keeping high school programming up-to-date and relevant is time-consuming and can be difficult. This session will walk through the different courses that I teach and the resources I use. Participants will be encouraged to share their resources as well. The afternoon will be spent walking through a project for each of the core computer science courses using C# and Java. If you have questions or comments that you would like to send prior to the presentation, please reach out at klimack.cheryl@bsd.ca.

Presenter: Cheryl Klimack, ICT Teacher, Brandon School Division

I have been teaching Computer Science (including AP Computer Science) and other ICT courses for 24 years at Crocus Plains. The program has been very successful and currently I am teaching 6 different programming courses as well as ICT courses.

Location: Room 212 - Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 20

Suitable for: Senior Years

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 09 - Come Cook and Sew With Us!

This session will be a full day session with half the day spent in Foods with Lani Parker and the other half of the day spent in Sewing with Sarah Paddock.

You will spend half a day making homemade cinnamon buns.

NOTE: Please bring a large container that will fit 15 buns.

The other half of the day will be spent at the sewing machines making a microwavable therapeutic heating bag.
NOTE: Basic Sewing Machine Experience Required (or a willingness to self-teach from provided information prior to session to ensure projects can be finished on time)

Participants will take home both projects at the end of the day! We look forward to spending the day with you!

Presenters: Lani Parker and Sarah Paddock

Lani Parker and Sarah Paddock are two of the Divisional Grade 7 Human Ecology Teachers at Earl Oxford School with the Brandon School Division. Lani is a Red Seal Chef and has been working in the Brandon School Division in this program for over ten years. Sarah is a recent Human Ecology graduate and is excited to share her passion of the field with her colleagues. Together, Lani and Sarah have re-vamped the program and are excited to share a day in the life of the hands-on Human Ecology classroom!

Location: Human Ecology Classrooms, Earl Oxford School, 540 - 18th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 40

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $90.00 until October 3 / $100.00 after October 3 (includes $40.00 for supplies)

FULL - 10 - Difficult Conversations

THIS IS A SATELLITE SESSION – HOSTED BY THE PORTAGE LA PRARIE TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

Participants will explore knowledge and skills to have purposeful conversations when stakes are high, emotions are strong, and opinions vary. Topics: Exploring the 3W’s of avoidance – what, why, and ways people avoid important conversations; clarifying motive, mindset, conditions, and purpose in preparation for conversations; and applying new knowledge and reflecting on conversations using a framework; and considering communication stumbling blocks, triggers, and diffusion techniques to stay in dialogue.

Presenter: Members of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society Teacher Led Learning Team

The TLLT team respects the knowledge, skills, and experience that participants bring, and our aim is to offer new information about a topic and invite participants to connect with each other, the topic, and their learning goals.

Location: Library, Arthur Meighan School, 201 River Road, Portage la Prairie, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 40

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 11 - Outdoor Wellness - Hiking the Northgate Trail System

THIS IS A SATELLITE SESSION – HOSTED BY MOUNTAIN VIEW TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

Ensuring staff wellness in our schools has never been more difficult. At MacKenzie Middle School (Dauphin, Mb.), we started going for weekly hikes in 2019 to help improve staff camaraderie and wellness. These weekly hikes were a spark to the establishment of a school wellness committee. This committee has carried out a number of wellness initiatives and has several more planned in the coming months. In this session, we will complete two hikes and have discussions on staff wellness. This will provide an opportunity to take part in a wellness activity while reflecting on how you can improve staff wellness at your school. This session will take place at the Northgate Trail System about 15 km south of Dauphin (151 km north of Brandon), near the boundary of Riding Mountain National Park. We will hike in the morning, meet for lunch at the trailhead and then complete a second hike in the afternoon. Please meet at the trailhead at 9:00 am. There is a sign on the west side of highway 10 that notes the location of the trailhead.
NOTE: Participants should wear clothes suitable for the weather, including proper footwear.
Please bring a bagged lunch.

Presenter: Orrin McIntyre, Teacher, Mountain View School Division

I am a guidance counsellor and physical education teacher at MacKenzie Middle School (MMS) in Dauphin. I have my M.Ed. in Education (guidance and counselling) and have been active in coaching and extra curricular throughout my teaching career. I am the co-chair of the wellness committee at MMS.

Location: Meet at the Entrance to the Northgate Trail System.
(15 kms south of Dauphin, near the boundary of RMNP)

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 20

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 12 - Low Organized Games/Phys Ed Activities

THIS IS A SATELLITE SESSION – HOSTED BY MOUNTAIN VIEW TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

The session will provide the opportunity to learn and participate in some my favorite low organized games and phys. ed. activities that I have used with various age groups. Please feel free to share games and activities that have been successful for you and your students.

NOTE: Participants should come dressed to participate and please bring indoor shoes.

Presenter: Marc Giasson, Principal, Mountain View School Division

I have been teaching Physical Education for 29 years and have been the Principal at Grandview School K-12 for 10 of those years. I have coached a variety of community, club, and school sports over the years including basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, and track and have taught Phys. ed. in all grades over the years.

Location: Gym, Grandview School, 117 Rose Avenue, Grandview, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 13 - Simple Woodworking

THIS IS A SATELLITE SESSION – HOSTED BY MOUNTAIN VIEW TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

A beginners guide to woodworking information and techniques that can be used to create small projects for your enjoyment. The course will take place at “Mackenzie Middle school. 212 1st ST NE. Dauphin. Enter through staff entrance on the North side of the building.

NOTE: Please wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dusty as this is a hands-on session.

Presenter: Jeff Michasiw, Teacher, Mountain View School Division

Jeff has been teaching at Mackenzie Middle School for 9 years. He lives in Dauphin with his wife and daughter. He believes you can never have enough tools and it is better to build something than to buy it.

Location: Wood Shop – Mackenzie Middle School, 212 – 1st St. NE, Dauphin, MB

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 14

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $60.00 until October 3 / $70.00 after October 3 (includes $10.00 fee for supplies)

FULL - 35 - Preparation is the Key to Report Cards

THIS IS A SATELLITE SESSION – HOSTED BY MOUNTAIN VIEW TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

This session is designed to help educators plan for report card season. We will discuss charts, notes, methods, time-management, expectations, and writing styles. As part of the session, we will review the provincial report card document, other curricular/assessment documents, and learn how to effectively use some of Microsoft Word’s features to help organize our thoughts and guide our report card comments. Time and guidance will be given to create usable tables and forms to make writing quality reports card comments more efficient and succinct for busy educators.

Presenter: Katrina Mitchell, Teacher, Mountain View School Division

Katrina Mitchell has been an educator for over 25 years. She has taught every grade from grade 1 to 12, spent 3 years as a principal, spent last year as a remote-learning teacher, and has worked in schools whose population exceeded 700 to a school that had 17 registered students. Katrina has always been drawn to middle years though. She is known for organization and logical reasoning. Her most important skill is her vision; she is a global planner who looks to the future. In the past, Ms. Mitchell has hosted sessions for teachers involving: fractions, First Steps in Math, and the use of technology in the classroom. Katrina is a leader among her grade 6 team at Mackenzie Middle School and respected throughout Mountain View School Division.

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: Middle Years

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 36 - Wellness: A Self Awareness Approach

THIS IS A SATELLITE SESSION – HOSTED BY MOUNTAIN VIEW TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

This session will provide educators with information and ideas on how to manage and reduce stress for themselves through a self awareness approach. If there is anything that we have learned in the past three years, it is that we need to take care of ourselves to be the best for our families, careers, friends, and most importantly ourselves. This session focuses on self reflective practices for a deeper understanding of yourself, while aligning through self exploration.

Educators will be engaged in yoga, learn about the health benefits, as well as possibly incorporating yoga into your educative practice.
Meditation, mindfulness, and journaling will be introduced and practiced to gather a deeper understanding of the uses in our own lives, as well as how to implement with students.

Tap into your core values leads us to living an authentic, fulfilling life. Learn how to identify these values and what it means to live true to yourself. Come join us for a relaxing experience and gain some valuable insight about yourself!

Presenter: Nicole Bileski, Teacher, Mountain View School Division

I am Nicole Bileski and I live in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. I am married to my husband, Tyler Bileski, and together, we have two amazing little men in our lives that we have the privilege to call our sons. I am a grade 8 Social Studies, Science, and Art teacher, as well as the 1-8 Physical Education teacher at Gilbert Plains Elementary School. I have been teaching for 14 years in total. My experience starts at grade two and reaches up to grade eight, as well as guidance. However, my main passion has always been in Physical Education. I have taken a special approach in my homeroom, by creating a warm space for students and focusing on the importance of social-emotional learning through mindfulness and growth mindset. I have completed my Master’s of Education: Administrative stream, and aspire one day to be a principal, coach or leader.

Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $50.00 until October 3 / $60.00 after October 3

FULL - 01B - Keynote - Envisioning Indigenous Achievement: Assessing Reconciliation in Schools (in person)

Indigenous Education is underway in some way or another in Manitoba schools, a testament to the long-standing work of Indigenous and ally educators for decades. The question now is: how do we know it is taking effect? In this session, an assessment model for short-term and long-term reconciliation will be offered and workshopped.

Presenter: Niigaan Sinclair

Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and a Professor at the University of Manitoba who is currently Acting Head of the Department of Indigenous Studies. A former secondary school teacher, Niigaan is also an award-winning writer, editor and activist who was named by Maclean’s as one of the most influential people in Canada. In 2018, he won Canadian columnist of the year at the National Newspaper Awards for his bi-weekly columns in The Winnipeg Free Press and is currently an international media commentator as a part of the "Power Panel" on CBC's Power & Politics. Most recently, he won the 2019 Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Suitable for: All Educators, Administration, Student Teachers

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Gymnasium, Crocus Plains High School, 1930 First Street, Brandon, MB

Participant Max: 125

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 14B - Let's Talk Money

Let’s Talk Money is an opportunity to learn more about your money. From understanding your paycheque better, to managing everyday spending, learning about large purchases, how to become a saver, how to invest for your future, what do our pensions look like, and retirement planning and living.

If you are just starting out, in the middle of your career, or ready to retire, this engaging presentation will increase your financial knowledge and leave you with more money in your pocket!

Presenter: Nick Onischuk, Guidance Counselor, Brandon School Division

Nick Onischuk is a school counsellor by day and creator and host of his financial educational podcast Talking Toonies by night. Nick has spent 10 years in education and over 7 years facilitating financial workshops for teacher and university students. Nick is passionate about helping people figure out their money better. Nick takes an honest and simplified approach to all money concepts so that everyone can understand.

Location: Room 30 - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 15B - Lacrosse in Schools

In this workshop, instructors from MB Lacrosse and Wheat City Lacrosse will be introducing the fundamentals of lacrosse for Physical Education teachers or anyone interest in learning the game.

NOTE: Please come dressed to actively participate.

Presenter: Representatives from MB Lacrosse and Wheat City Lacrosse

Location: Gym - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 16

Suitable for: Middle Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 16B - Tips For Your First 5 Years of Teaching

There are lots of questions that you may have when you enter the world of education. There are many things that slip our mind or don't come up in our education courses. I am here to help! I will share my tips and tricks and what I have learned in my past 4 years of teaching that I wish someone told me. There will be time for you to ask questions as well! I will cover topics such as holidays, classroom management, classroom set up, parent teacher interviews, and so much more!

Presenter: Michelle Olinyk, Grade 5/6 Teacher, Brandon School Division

I was born and raised in a very small town and moved to Brandon to complete my education degrees. I have been teaching at the same school for the past 4 years at a grade 5/6 level.

Location: Betty Gibson School, 701 – 12th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 16

Suitable for: Educators in first 5 years and Student Teachers

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 17B - What Can Be Learned By Reflecting on the Pandemic

This will be an interactive session during which participants would reflect on what they've experienced the last few years such as how/where they might be feeling drained, and what strategies they might put in place going forward. These exercises will be similar to a reflective debrief and will include some personal values work as well.

One note of caution I would like to include is that these are reflection focus exercises only. I am not trained nor a professional in the areas of burnout or post-traumatic stress, so I don't want anyone coming to this workshop looking for that type of support.

Presenter: Megan Foster, Process Facilitator and Trainer

For more than a decade, Megan has been leading individuals and organizations through energetic, interactive facilitation to generate action-based solutions. She began her professional career in the high energy world of revenue development and quickly understood the importance of creative problem solving to overcome obstacles. Megan has been described as friendly, supportive, and driven and her style of facilitation is constantly referred to as engaging, creative, and fun. She is passionate about helping leaders inspire and energize their team members. As the founder of Mosaic Engagement, she is on a mission to motivate organizations to harness the expertise and creative power within their own team. Learn more at www.mosaicengagement.ca.

Outside of work, Megan has a Masters in Leadership Studies from Royal Roads University. She enjoys the challenge of maintaining fresh and current content and learning from every session she leads.

Location: Room 115 - Crocus Plains High School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 24

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 18B - Make, Play, Learn, Repeat: Makeable Math Games

You will spend the day making and playing math-based games. All of these can be constructed using readily available materials found in any classroom. Most games can be scaled up or down depending on skill levels and all will connect to math outcomes. Some are familiar, some are ancient, some are student created, all are classroom tested.

While any teacher from K – 12 would get something useful out of the session, most games are geared for students in grades 3 – 8.

Presenter: Jon Nairn, Teacher, Brandon School Division

Jon Nairn is a Grade 7/8 teacher in the Brandon School Division who has also taught all the math courses in senior years. He tries to incorporate games into his math instruction as much as possible.

Location: Room 29 - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: Early Years, Middle Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 19B - Yoga in the Classroom

This engaging and hands-on session will give educators an introduction to the tools and knowledge required to integrate children's yoga into their classroom practices. Based on the YogaKids and Cosmic Kids programs, stories and make-believe adventures are used to introduce a variety of yoga poses and mindfulness practices.

This session is targeted to early years teachers and counselors with the option for middle years teachers to adapt lessons to their classrooms.

NOTE: Participants should wear comfortable clothes and be prepared to join in the yoga fun!

Presenter: Louise Roberts, French Immersion Teacher, Brandon School Division

For the past nine years, I have taught Grades 1 and 2 French Immersion at École New Era School, and a variety of classes through Remote Learning, in Brandon School Division. Interested in mindfulness and yoga, I completed the Level I Foundations YogaKids certification in October 2018 and Cosmic Kids Yoga Teacher training in the summer of 2022. I have witnessed the impact of these practices on the young children I work with, and I am excited to share my knowledge with you!

Location: Gymnasium – École New Era School, 527 Louise Avenue, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 15

Suitable for: Kindergarten, Early Years, Student Teachers, Counselors

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 20B - What is your Treaty Story? Story Map and Learning Resources

In this presentation, participants will be introduced to Story Maps using ArcGIS Online. Participants will investigate a story map of the treaty territories in Manitoba as well as examine the relationships between these territories and the geography of each area. Participants will be able to explore the learning resources from the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba that are associated with this mapping project.

Presenter: Rob Langston, Educator, Brandon School Division

Rob Langston teaches geography and GIS in the Brandon School Division. He enjoys using GIS technology to teach many concepts to his students. He uses both desktop and online versions of software in his classroom.

Location: Room 33 - École Secondaire Neelin High School, 1020 Brandon Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 22

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 21B - Balanced: Supporting Educators Through Mindfulness

Are you looking for more of a life/work balance? With increased demands in the workplace, this interactive workshop will provide mindful ways to support educators in schools and classrooms. Together, we will explore, reflect and discuss the challenges and stresses that arise each day. You will be introduced to empowering resources and leave with ready-to-use strategies to help you create more balance in your life.

Presenter: Jennifer Morrison, Teacher, Brandon School Division

Jennifer is currently working as a Grade 1 Teacher at Maryland Park School in the Brandon School Division. She has been teaching for over 20 years. Jennifer was nominated and selected as a semi-finalist for the Excellence in Teaching award. She has worked as an Early Diverse Learning Consultant for the Calgary Catholic School District and has completed her master’s degree in Educational Administration at Brandon University. She has been following her passion by teaming up with wellness educators to present motivational workshops on how to find balance through mindfulness. Jennifer has 2 active boys and a doodle. She infuses wellness into her classroom by teaching yoga and spending time outdoors. She also teaches spin classes at a local spin studio.

Location: Maryland Park School, 700 Maryland Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 22B - Student Engagement for the Future

Are you or your students in a funk? Well, let’s change that! In this session, you will receive information, strategies, and techniques to have students invest in their own learning through curiosity, connection, and motivation. It will be an engaging, interactive, and energetic presentation filled with strategies that you can use in your classroom tomorrow! This session will help you feel inspired to teach at the next level and will help your students engage through creatively designed lessons. We will hear from different perspectives and positions on how to gain the attention of your students. The world of education pivoted during the pandemic and now it is time to see the future of student engagement. The ultimate goal is to give you easy strategies/tools to transition your teaching forward. Let’s inspire ourselves and our students.

Presenter: Tara Pitz, Teacher, Fort la Bosse School Division

Tara Pitz has twenty years of teaching experience and has been a facilitator for the Manitoba Rural Learning Consortium Numeracy Achievement Program for the past four years. She has presented extensively within several school divisions and has experience at the LIFT and Byte conferences, where she was recently the spotlight speaker. She is currently a grade six teacher at the Virden Junior High School, with a key role in numeracy. Tara has had a decorated athletic career which has transcended into coaching numerous sports. Through academics and athletics, she has tailored her teaching around student engagement. She has been devoted to helping students invest in their own learning through curiosity, connection, and motivation.

Location: Room 204 – Crocus Plains High School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: Middle Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 23B - Physical Education Enrichment: A Complete K-8 PE Experience!

This “Active” session geared towards K-8 Physical Education teachers will give attendees a wide variety of “Take-Aways” related to Physical Education. From new activities to try, infusion of technology, to efficient assessment, this session will be sure to have something to “ENRICH” your Physical Education programming.

Participants should come prepared to move a little and get “Hands On” with the presentation topics. This session will also address the most current trends in the PE world and how easy they are to access.

NOTE: Session will take place at J.R. Reid School (813-26th Street). Please use SW Doors marked by the gymnasium to enter the building.

Presenter: Derek Richels, K-8 Physical Education/Health Teacher, Brandon School Division

Derek Richels is a 20+ year teacher and PE content creator in the Brandon School Division and is currently teaching full time K-8 Physical Education/Health at J.R. Reid School in Brandon. Derek is married to his wife Kim, also a teacher, and has two young boys who keep them busy with lots of PE related activities outside of the school day!

Location: J.R. Reid School Gymnasium, 813 – 26th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 24

Suitable for: K-8 Physical Education Teachers

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 24B - Pickle Ball 101!

This session will guide you through the rules and shots of pickle ball. Come dressed to participate in runners, and athletic wear. If you have your own Pickle Ball paddle, be sure to bring it. Once we have reviewed the rules and strategy of the game, we will play some games to familiarize ourselves better with how the game is played.

Presenter: Jason Curtis, PE Specialist, Brandon School Division

Jason Curtis has been playing racquet sports for his entire adult life. He was a competitive Badminton player for 22 years, playing on the MB circuit and competing in many tournaments. Recently he has picked up the game of Pickle Ball and has been competing here in MB and SK. He won the Arborg open, the Battle of the Paddles here in Brandon, and also the Queen City Pickle Ball Open in Regina.

Location: Gymnasium, Kirkcaldy Heights School, 10 Knowlton Drive, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 16

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 25B - Mindfulness and Mental Health - Make and Take Activities

This session will provide educators with practical mindfulness and mental health activities to use in the classroom. Participants will enjoy a hands-on 'make and take' approach leaving the session with tools and examples that can be used in the classroom. The activities promote and protect mental well-being and will be applicable to students across a wide range of grades and ages. Positive mental health and mindfulness resources will also be shared and discussed.

Presenter: Claire Dickson, Classroom Teacher and School Counsellor, Brandon School Division

Claire is a classroom teacher and school counsellor in the Brandon School Division. She enjoys teaching mental health and mindfulness lessons to students at Betty Gibson school. She hopes to help teachers incorporate mindfulness into their classroom with ease.
Location: Room 205, Crocus Plains High School, 1920 First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $35.00 until October 3 / $40.00 after October 3 (includes $10.00 for supplies)

FULL - 26B - Empowering Neurodiverse Learners Within Inclusive Classroom Settings

What does inclusion in the classroom look, feel, and sound like? How can atypical learners become more empowered through increased engagement and independence in classroom life? In this session participants will be introduced to fundamentals of structured teaching approaches, build a deeper understanding of how to plan for the learning styles of atypical learners, and learn how to implement classroom-based strategies that compliment adaptive curriculum concepts. Participants will be provided with hands-on tools, opportunities to learn how to create task systems, and how to build a structured teaching program.

Presenter: Bobbi Schaminee, Grade 1 Teacher, Brandon School Division

Bobbi Schaminee received her B.Ed. A.D. from Brandon University, Orff Level 1 from University of Manitoba, and TEACCH Autism Program training and coaching certificate from the University of North Carolina. Bobbi has presented for Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs and the Manitoba Orff Chapter. She has enjoyed a variety of teaching roles for K-6 Music, HALEP, Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 4. Bobbi currently teaches grade one at Riverheights School.

Location: Room 6, Riverheights School, 32E. Fotheringham Drive, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 25

Suitable for: K-8, Music, Phys.Ed Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 32B - Amazing Science Resources from the Perimeter Institute!

This half-day session will explore a number of free high school science resources from the Perimeter Institute. Astronomy is one of the most fascinating topics in all of science and students only get the opportunity to learn about it in Grade 9 Science and so we will be working through some activities in the Figuring Outer Space resource (https://resources.perimeterinstitute.ca/products/figuring-outer-space).

We will also explore some activities from the Evidence for Climate Change resource (https://resources.perimeterinstitute.ca/products/evidence-for-climate-change) as anthropogenic climate change is one of the most important issues facing our students. This resource connects to several outcomes throughout the Grade 10 Science curriculum. We will also spend some time looking at the Process of Science resource (https://resources.perimeterinstitute.ca/products/the-process-of-science) which has a number of activities that can be used to promote scientific thinking in our classrooms.

Presenter: Christopher Sarkonak, Teacher, Brandon School Division

Christopher Sarkonak is a Physics teacher at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School and was the first Canadian high school teacher to be selected by CERN to attend their International High School Teacher Programme in 2019. He is also a member of the Perimeter Institute Teacher Network and has been working to promote STEM at Crocus Plains by acting as a teacher mentor for the STEM for Girls program and STEM Club and is trying to promote a wide variety of opportunities to students, such as the ESA Moon Camp Challenge and Students on the Beamline from the Canadian Light Source.

Location: Room 226, Crocus Plains Regional Secondary High School, 1930 – First Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 20

Suitable for: Senior Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 33B - Kairos Blanket Exercise (KBE)

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ program is a unique, participatory history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

Developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and educators, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) is an interactive and experiential teaching tool that explores the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land we now know as Canada.

During this 2 to 3 hour workshop, participants step on blankets representing the land and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. They are guided by trained facilitators, including Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, who work from a script that covers pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, resistance and much more. Participants read scrolls and respond to cues in the script. The KBE concludes with a debriefing, conducted as a talking circle, during which participants discuss the learning experience, process their feelings, ask questions, share insights, and deepen their understanding.

Over the past two decades, thousands of KAIROS Blanket Exercises have been delivered in Canada and around the world, including in the United States, Central and South America, Europe, and Australia. By engaging participants on both emotional and intellectual levels, the KBE both educates and creates empathy and understanding.

Presenter: Douglas Pople, Career Planning & Placement Officer, Brandon University

Doug became certified as a KBE facilitator in early 2019 and since then has delivered over 20 Blanket Exercises. Each Blanket Exercise follows the same template yet always presents a unique experience for each participant to understand the current and historical issues facing Indigenous people. Doug is a proud Métis and has a keen interest in promoting and working towards a workforce representative of our population. He is actively involved in a number of organizations including being a Director for the Louis Riel Institute. Doug has been an active member of the Interprovincial Association on Native Employment (IANE) – Westman Chapter for the past 16 years and is currently the Chair. Doug earned his Bachelor of General Studies from Brandon University in 1990. He places a high value on education and is committed to professional development. Through part‐time studies, he graduated again in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts. Doug is currently nearing completion of his Masters in Rural Development with a particular focus on Indigenous issues.

Location: Ceremony Room, Brandon University, 270 – 18th Street, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 20

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 34B - Manitoba River Watch

How’s the water quality in your local stream? Join Kent to learn how the River Watch program supports teachers and students to collect and analyze water quality data from your local rivers and streams. Weather permitting, this hands on session will occur at the Riverbank Discovery Center. With great connections to many science and social studies outcomes, River Watch can "hook" your students into water stewardship action!

NOTE: We will be meeting at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Presenter: Kent Lewarne, Program Coordinator, River Watch Program

Kent is the Program Coordinator for the River Watch program offered by the South Central Eco Institute. As a retired science teacher Kent is able to make curriculum connections for the teachers and students in many areas of science and social studies.

Location: Riverbank Discovery Centre, 545 Conservation Drive, Brandon, MB

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Participant Max: 15

Suitable for: Senior Years

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 37B - Bake My Day!

Stressed is desserts spelled backwards! Coincidence? I don't think so! Spend half a day baking your stress away.

Presenter: Des Tucker, Early Years Teacher, Brandon School Division

Baking makes me happy! The smell of something sweet baking in the oven is the best smell in the world! I have 2 daughters at home and baking together is one of our very favourite things to do! As I mentioned, I am a momma, a wife, and a teacher. I teach Grade 1, and I love to incorporate baking into my lessons and activities whenever possible.

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 38B - Master Your Retirement

Join us to learn key actions into securing the retirement you have always wanted. Although the past couple years has been littered with uncertainty, it has motivated many Canadians to rethink how they can maximize their savings and leverage their assets in new ways for retirement.

We will discuss, with a focus on teachers and TRAF, the importance of managing your plan through market volatility, how to identify sources of retirement income to reach your retirement goals, and answer the most frequently asked questions on tax, investment considerations, and new trends impacting the way Canadians are thinking about retirement.

Presenter: Cal Vanderschuit, Division Director and Jack Coulson, Consultant- IG Wealth Management

An award winning Certified Financial Planner, Cal ranks among the top 10 Division Directors at IG Wealth Management in Canada. Cal came to us from the teaching industry and uses his skills to break down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand material for his clients so that they know and understand their IG Living Plan. He is very active in his local community of Onanole where he is the President of the Onanole Foundation which raises donations for local charities. Cal is married to Lauren and they live on an acreage just south of Riding Mountain National Park with their dog Stella. He splits his time between the Onanole and Brandon office.

Jack is a retired teacher, (30+ years in Rolling River School Division), who has had an interest in finance and markets for many years. Following retirement from teaching, he joined IG Wealth as a Consultant and works out of the Onanole and Brandon Region Office. He enjoys helping people get their financial picture in order and taking some of the confusion out of their financial futures.

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Participant Max: 60

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 39B - Setting Up Routines in your New Classroom

This session will introduce new teachers to a variety of classroom routines for math, ELA, science, social studies, classroom management, mindfulness, brain breaks, and more! The purpose of this session is to give new teachers some 'go-to' activities that will highlight important skills, build a positive classroom climate, and help to foster an atmosphere of learning. I have collected these routines throughout my career from co-workers, teaching friends, PD sessions, and the good ol' internet. Together we will create a collection of useful routines to help set you up for success in your new classroom!

Presenter: Amy Lee, Middle Years Teacher, Mountain View School Division

Hello! My name is Amy Lee, I am a middle years teacher in the first 10 years of my teaching career. I have taught grades 4-8, with most of my experience being at the 7/8 level. I have relied heavily on implementing easy to use activities and routines to help my classroom run smoothly. I believe routines provide structure for teachers and for students.

Over the years I have collected routines and activities from other teachers, PD sessions, and from the good ol' internet. I am looking forward to having conversations about some great activities that you can use as a new teacher in your middle years classroom. These routines will highlight basic skills in the core subject areas, some mindfulness activities, and a wide array of 'brain break' style activities as well.

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Participant Max: 30

Suitable for: Student Teachers, New Teachers

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 40B - When Does Healthy Eating Become Unhealthy?

Join Registered Dietitian, Amanda Hamel, in a discussion on the nuances of ‘clean eating’, ‘good vs. bad’ foods and how to take care of yourself in a society that values weight loss and dieting. We’ll discuss:

• What is ‘healthy’ eating anyway?
• When ‘healthy’ eating takes a turn for the negative
• How to spot diet culture and protect your mental health
• Changing the way we talk about food, bodies and movement
• How you can support kids (and yourself) towards a more positive relationship with food
After this session, you’ll also discover helpful resources for not only you, but also your students.

Presenter: Amanda Hamel, Registered Dietitian/Nutrition Educator with Nüton

Amanda is a Nutrition Programs Educator for Nüton, a team of dietitians committed to providing training and nutrition programs to Manitoba educators so they can help kids feel comfortable around food and eating.

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 20

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3

FULL - 43B - Fish! Food For Thought

Participants will learn about the Fish! Philosophy, a mindset that inspires creativity, joy, and productivity to enhance the work we do with students and the way we work with colleagues. This is important because the ability of teachers to collaborate and work together is paramount to student success.

Presenter: The Manitoba Teachers' Society Teacher Led Learning Team

The TLLT team respects the knowledge, skills, and experience that participants bring, and our aim is to offer new information about a topic and invite participants to connect with each other, the topic, and their learning goals.

Time: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Platform: Zoom

Participant Max: 40

Suitable for: All Educators

Cost: $25.00 until October 3 / $30.00 after October 3