MSLA: Empowering Minds - Fostering the Six C's of Learning
Register here: https://memberlink.mbteach.org/Event.axd?e=2976
MSLA - Manitoba School Library Association
Conference Title: Empowering Minds - Fostering the Six C's of Learning Global Competencies - Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Connection to Self, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School , 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: October 21, 2025 at 8:00
- Program -
09:00 am - 10:15 am - Keynote: Colleen Nelson
10:15 am - 10:30 am - Break/Vendor Hall
10:30 am - 11:45 am - Sessions 1 - 8
11:45 am - 01:00 pm - Lunch
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm - Sessions 9 - 14
02:00 pm - 02:15 pm - Break/Vendor Hall
02:15 pm - 03:15 pm - Panel Discussion
03:15 pm - 03:30 pm - Wrap-up and Prizes
- Conference and Membership Fees -
MSLA Conference & Membership Fee ...................... $65
MSLA Student Conference & Membership Fee ....... $30
MSLA Retired Library Personnel Conference Fee ... $15
MSLA Membership Fee ............................................... $25
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations with refunds will be issued until October 18, 2025 at 8:00 am
If you require any additional information about this conference, please contact Michelle Barclay at (204) 952-4206 or professionallearning@manitobaschoollibraries.ca.
If you require any additional information about registration for this conference, please contact Lindsay Stewart at advocacy@manitobaschoollibraries.ca.
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Sessions - 9:00 AM-10:15 AM
Keynote - Colleen Nelson
Former teacher-librarian, current middle years teacher and long-time author, Colleen Nelson has always been passionate about literacy and sharing her love of reading and writing with students and adults. Join her as she talks about meaningful collaboration and how it inspires, infuses and incites learning between colleagues and students. Colleen will also focus on how authors work with their publishers (Get ready for some insider secrets!) and examine the ways librarians can develop relationships with folks in the book biz to build deeper connections for their students. Colleen will share some of her favorite, war-tested collaborative projects that have led to deep learning for her students.
Presenter: Colleen Nelson
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
Sessions - 10:30 AM-11:45 AM
A1: The Winnipeg Free Press Media Literacy Program
The rapidly-evolving digital, media and political landscape drives an urgent need for critical media literacy and content creation skills. Last school year, the Manitoba Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning announced a partnership project with Winnipeg School Division and the Winnipeg Free Press. A team of teachers have been developing this project alongside the journalists in the Free Press newsroom. Hosted by those teachers, this session will introduce participants to the design and materials in development for this project, and provide space to try them out and to co-create opportunities for deeper learning in media literacy topics in education. Learners connect place-based story-telling and freedom of the press to preservation of democracy and the social contract by producing media that demonstrates understanding of ethics and truth in journalism. Learners reflect on the digital and media environment to critically discern media messages and truths/untruths within media. Learners develop capacity in tailoring their own messages for desired audience and effect.
Presenter: David Wall
Global Competency Connection: Citizenship, Critical Thinking
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
A2: Conservation in the Classroom
This session explores how Manitoba teachers engage students in environmental inquiry. Carly will highlight local classroom examples and focus on the CPAWS Student Voices campaign, which gathers student perspectives on the importance of protecting land and water through curriculum-linked content on Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship.
Presenter: Carly Gray, CPAWS
Global Competency Connection: Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Connection to Self, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
A3: Empowering Global Citizens in an Age of Misinformation
Our new resources, rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and aligned with Manitoba curriculum's 6 global competencies, will help students build communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills to understand global issues and take meaningful action. MCIC envisions a just world and works to grow the next generation of global citizens through reading and education. We are excited to present our 2026 reading list for global students and the details of our annual reading challenges! Librarians have a chance to join our Library Display Contest, while students are encouraged to join our reading challenge. We will explore how sustainability education can promote active citizenship and democratic engagement. We’ll share hands-on, curriculum-linked activities and other engaging resources designed to empower students to make change.
Presenter: Bea Basaran
Global Competency Connection: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
A4: From Flashlights to Pyjamas, Creating Cozy Spaces for Connection
Our innovative programs bring excitement and a feeling of belonging to students as they participate in
programs and activities that make them feel right at home. Lee-Ann runs a Flashlight Fridays program in her library. She will share success stories and ideas for others who might like to try it out. Grace will talk about transforming a regular evening public library program (Family Storytime) to one that could be used in the school library, either as a special evening event or as part of a theme. Additionally, we will describe opportunities for creativity and connection as students bring their stuffed toys to the library/makerspace for a Library Sleepover; including building beds, sewing pillows, and choosing just the right book to share before bedtime. We will share a bibliography of cozy/bedtime/stuffed toy stories to display and use for programming.
Presenters: Lee-Ann Baldwin & Grace Sheppard
Global Competency Connection: Collaboration, Connection to Self, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
A5: Classroom Treaty Medals: Interdisciplinary Collaboration and 3D Printing
Explore the story of the three Treaty 1 medals as a jumping off point for interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants will learn about the history of the Treaty 1 medals and how to facilitate the creation of classroom treaty medals from paper and pencil to Tinkercad to 3D printing.
Presenter: Lisa Barkman Hobbs
Global Competency Connection: Citizenship, Connection to Self, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
A6: Built-in Bias: Understanding the Limits of Generative AI
A.I. isn’t magic; and it’s far from neutral. Every tool we use is shaped by the data it’s trained on and the worldview it’s built within. This session offers an introduction to critically analyzing A.I. outputs in both text and image generation, with a close look at common limitations in large language models (LLMs), including bias in text leveling and missing perspectives in generated content. Whether you’re a K–12 educator curious about using A.I. mindfully in your own practice, or a high school teacher thinking about how to explore these questions with students, we’ll reflect, experiment, and question together. Because when we treat A.I. like a neutral helper, we risk importing assumptions we didn’t choose - and missing the bias hidden not just in what it says, but in what it leaves out.
Presenter: Morgan Arksey, Teacher Librarian
Global Competency Connection: Critical Thinking
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
A7: Inspire a Love of Reading through MYRCA
Encourage critical thinking, spark meaningful communication, and foster collaboration as students explore diverse stories of the MYRCA award. Whether you're starting a new club or revitalizing an existing one, this session will help you build a vibrant MYRCA (Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award) community. Discover creative, fun, and thought-provoking ways to engage students with this year’s nominated titles. You'll leave with practical ideas to challenge and inspire readers while building character and citizenship through shared literary experiences. Come ready to connect and contribute—there will be time to share your own ideas and successes too!
Presenter: Michelle Barclay
Global Competency Connection: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Connection to Self
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
A8: Climate Action inspired by UN Sustainable Development Goals in the Elementary School Library
The UN Sustainability Goals are paired with picture books and activities to create school-wide climate action in elementary schools. This session will highlight how school libraries can be catalysts for climate action in their schools by promoting these monthly book-conversation-action connections.
Presenter: Suzanne Simpson
Global Competency Connection: Citizenship
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
Sessions - 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
P1: Getting Past the Horror of Reading with the Reading of Horror: Engaging Reluctant Readers
Explore how horror fiction can captivate reluctant readers by tapping into suspense, curiosity, and emotional intensity. This session examines how horror engages empathy, critical thinking, and resilience.
Presenter: Chelsea McKee-Trenchard, Owner of Raven's End Books: The Horror Bookshop
Global Competency Connection: Critical Thinking, Connection to Self
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
P2: I Love to Read (6 spots remaining)
I Love to Read month presents an opportunity to bring communities together to promote literacy and celebrate the joys of reading within our schools. Whether you are an administrator, teacher-librarian, classroom teacher, or library technician we are all readers and as such we have the power to lead and inspire a new generation of readers on literary adventures. Planning for such an involved and lengthy school-wide event, however, can be daunting. Kimberly Bryson, former classroom teacher and current teacher-librarian, has sifted through the overwhelm to curate an engaging ILTR program. Join her as she shares her insight and resources from years of planning and leave with access to the program and supporting resources she has created.
Presenter: Kimberly Bryson
Global Competency Connection: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
P3: Showcasing Global Competencies with Destiny Discover Collections
Participants will leave with recommended resources for each competency and will explore all the features in Destiny Discover Collections to support learning. Learn how to create an engaging Destiny Discover Collection to highlight physical and online resources that can be shared with students and staff. Participants will work together in groups to add resources to a new Destiny Discover Collection featuring the six Global Competencies. Although not required, participants with a laptop and log in for Follett Destiny will get the most out of this session.
Presenters: Michelle Carlos, Library Learning Commons Consultant; Mikaela Oldenkamp, Divisional Library Technician, Pembina Trails School Division
Global Competency Connection: Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Connection to Self, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
P4: Beyond the Bookshelf: Real People, Real Stories
In a Living Library, “human books” share personal stories in small group conversations to challenge stereotypes and build empathy. Join this session led by a teacher-librarian and library technician who have successfully planned and hosted a Living Library event in their school. The session will cover thematic exploration, event logistics, student preparation, follow-up activities, and the lasting impact of living libraries upon school culture and student learning.
Presenters: Curtis Lowton & Alicia Mackay
Global Competency Connection: Communication, Connection to Self
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
P5: Leveraging AI in the Grade 7/8 Classroom
Leveraging AI in the Grade 7/8 Classroom: Let’s Teach our Students How to Use it Effectively and Ethically
It’s hard to browse the news these days without seeing something about the impact of AI on education. Many of our students are using AI tools daily for everything from modifying images on their social media accounts to completing their homework. Do they know how to use it responsibly? Do they know how to use it to enhance their learning? Are they aware of how it can be used to create and spread disinformation? Do they know how to use it to make the world a better place? Let’s start a conversation about how to best leverage AI tools, and use them ethically, to support our students in becoming responsible digital citizens.
In this session I’ll share my experiences from last year using AI tools and teaching the ethics of AI use with Grade 7/8 students. The focus will be on the use of generative AI tools like Bing CoPilot and ChatGPT. Bring a device so we can try programs together.
Presenter: Brad Fallis
Global Competency Connection: Critical Thinking
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
P6: Using Minecraft Education to Foster Global Competencies
Building Inclusive Futures: Using Minecraft Education to Foster Global Competencies in Early Years Classrooms
Join us for an engaging and inspiring session that explores how Minecraft Education can be a powerful tool for nurturing the six global competencies. This session will showcase a cross-school initiative from the RETSD, where early years educators implemented a Minecraft project centered on designing inclusive, joyful communities. Students were challenged to build Minecraft communities that not only met the diverse needs of their members but also reflected innovative thinking, empathy, and sustainable design principles. Through the lens of our RETSD Design Thinking Framework, we will share how this project empowered students to nurture all global competencies. Whether you are new to Minecraft or looking to deepen your practice, this session will provide inspiration, resources, and a roadmap for using game-based learning to cultivate future-ready learners. Participants can bring their own laptop if they have with minecraft downloaded.
Presenters: Terese Dyck, Teacher Librarian, Maple Leaf School; Amber Ens, Teacher Librarian & Resource Teacher, Angus McKay School
Global Competency Connection: Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Connection to Self, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB
Sessions - 2:15 PM-3:15 PM
Panel Discussion: Power of the Podcast - Amplify Learning in Every Subject
Panel Discussion: Join us for a dynamic conversation where innovation meets expression. In this special panel, creative minds come together to explore how communication fuels creativity and how creativity transforms the way we connect. Dive into the art of storytelling and discover how podcasts can foster collaboration, spark creative strategies for effective communication, and showcase real-world examples of innovation through dialogue.
Presenters: Colleen Nelson; Toby Cygman, Outreach Librarian, Millennium Library; Dennis Penner, Library Assistant, ideaMILL; Trevor Lockhart, Branch Head Librarian, Louis Riel Library; Lindsay Stewart, Teacher Librarian, Prairie School
Global Competency Connection: Citizenship, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Connection to Self, Creativity
Location: Linden Meadows School, 335 Linden Meadows Drive E, Winnipeg, MB