Event is FULL - Currently not accepting registrations
Manitoba Elementary Teachers' Association (META)
Conference Title: Spread Our Wings and Let Learning Take Flight
Location: Virtual (Microsoft Teams and Zoom) and Onsite Field Trips
Date: October 20, 2023
Program
09:00 am - 09:30 am - Introductions
09:10 am - 10:20 am - Keynote Speaker Virtual (or AM option: Half-Day visit the Zoo ! - In person)
10:45 am - 11:45 am - Session 1A, 1B, 1C; 1D
11:45 am - 01:00 pm - Lunch
01:00 pm - 02:10 pm - Keynote Speaker Virtual (or PM options: Half-Day Children's Museum or Half-Day Visit The Leaf! - both In-person)
02:20 pm - 03:20 pm - Session 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D; 2E
03:20 pm - 03:25 pm - Exit Slip
Spread Our Wings and Let Learning Take Flight!
Welcome Participants to the 2023 MTS Sage Day with META - Manitoba Elementary Teachers’ Association with our fierce fiery leader Shelley Drewniak, Secretary extraordinaire, Christina Miladinovic and the Kalm, Kool, Kollected, Korakan Kimanivong.
Welcome to META - Manitoba Elementary Teachers’ Association - where our sessions are geared for educators of students in primary and intermediate grades. Curriculum based workshops, with invested interest in outside the box thinking while addressing current and past issues - building acceptance, empathy and understanding for all students and educators.
All registrants for the Conference MUST select the keynote speaker and choose one session from the morning time slot 10:45-11:45 and one session from the afternoon time slot 2:20-3:20, unless the registrant is choosing an outing.
Membership and Conference Fees
META Conference & Membership Fee …...............................$40
META Conference Fee .............................................................$41
META Membership & Half-Day In Person Tour Fee ............$40
META Membership & Full-Day In Person Tour Fee .............$60
Cancellation Policy: No refunds.
If you need Conference or Registration Information, please send a message to: Sessions - 9:00 AM-11:30 AM FULL - AM Half-Day visit the Zoo ! - In person
The Assiniboine Park Zoo is an ideal location for your class field trip. Your session will include a tour of the Zoo, while your guide helps you understand the logistics for your fieldtrip to ensure your students can get the most out of their visit. We will also highlight the amazing programs and experiences that are available to visiting school groups
Presenter: Representative from Assiniboine Park Zoo
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Platform: Assiniboine Park Zoo, 15 Conservatory Drive, Winnipeg, MB
Suitable for: All Educators, Administration, Student Teachers
Sessions - 9:10 AM-10:20 AM
FULL - AM Keynote: Sumi Saito - Virtual
Special Education Parent Advocacy
Sumi Saito Kimanivong is the proud mother of Huk, an 11 year old boy with cerebral palsy. She has also been working with adults with intellectual disabilities as a direct support worker for over 10 years. Huk uses a speech device to communicate. Navigating his education and vital services at school hasn't always been easy. She is passionate about learning to grow as an advocate, educating the community about inclusion and empowering Huk to self advocate. Her dream is for him and the disability community to be valued, seen, heard and dream big because the sky is the limit!
Presenters: Sumi Saito
Time: 9:10 am - 10:20 am
location: Virtual
Participant Max: 200
Sessions - 10:45 AM-11:45 AM
FULL - 1A Essential Questions & Inquiry 4-6 (AM Session) - Virtual
This session will provide educators with an introduction to essential questions (EQs). Participants will learn about the different types of questions, purposes, rationales, defining characteristics, and examples. Time will be provided to collectively workshop ideas brought to the session by participants (e.g., grade 3 science unit on plants). This session is suitable for educators of all grade levels and subjects, as well as teacher librarians, specialists, and administrators.
Presenter: Christie Petersen & Ronna Cayer (Pembina Trails)
Time: 10:45 am - 11:45 am
location: Virtual
Participant Max: 40
FULL - 1B Digital Literacy for Elementary Students (AM Session) - Virtual
How do we teach our students what it means to be in digital spaces? How do we help them learn to navigate the Internet? In this session, teachers Devin King and Ellen Bees will talk about teaching media literacy skills to elementary students, using their YouTube channel Mr. King Explains the Internet and other resources. This YouTube channel provides short video explainers and lesson plans geared for elementary students so they can build the skills to be online in safe and socially just ways. The presenters will walk you through the intent of the channel and how you can weave it into your existing classes.
Presenter: Devin and Ellen
Time: 10:45 am - 11:45 pm
Location:Virtual
Participant Max: 40
FULL - 1C Monarch Teachers Network Canada Manitoba Region (AM Session) - Virtual
"Join the Monarch Teacher Network of Canada: Manitoba Region for an informative and engaging workshop on the life histories and conservation initiatives of our Monarch Butterflies and other Manitoba Pollinators. The session will provide you with information and activities you can take back to your students to lead them in ways to support our local pollinators. Free Swamp Milkweed seeds will be provided to you for your students to grow following the workshop.
Visit our website for more information on booking our free year-round in-class programming. www.monarchteachernetworkmanitoba.com"
Presenter: Cathy Shaluk
Time: 10:45 am - 11:45 pm
Platform: Virtual
Participant Max: 40
FULL - 1D Meaning of Home (AM Session) - Virtual
The Meaning of Home contest invites grades 4, 5 and 6 students from across Canada to submit a written poem, essay or video explaining what home means to them. The contest was established by founding sponsor Sagen in 2007 to help raise funds and awareness for Habitat for Humanity in Canada, and to engage and educate the next generation in Habitat’s mission to help families access affordable homeownership. Over 100,000 students from across Canada have participated in the Meaning of Home contest since 2007. During the 2023 contest, over 12,000 students participated. $2.3 million has been raised to date to help Canadian families in need of safe, decent and affordable homeownership. This contest would not be possible without the support of the teachers, the students’ inspiring words, and the support of our sponsors. The Meaning of Home contest engages students in creative writing and learning about civic responsibility while providing them with a unique opportunity to make a difference in their community. Please join me at 10:45 to learn how you can help mold our future philanthropists!
Presenter: Vernelle Mirosh
Vernelle Mirosh, Director of Fund Development has been working at Habitat Manitoba for 8 years and has been in the non-profit world for 40 years.
Teachers of Grade 4, 5 and 6 or teachers from split classes with these grades.
Time: 10:45 am - 11:45 am
location: Virtual
Participant Max: 40
Sessions - 1:00 PM-2:10 PM
FULL - PM Keynote: Jennifer Lawson - Virtual
Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators. Written by teachers for teachers, this comprehensive resource provides strategies to improve educator wellness and foster positive mental health in the workplace. Teacher, Take Care is the brainchild of Manitoba educator Dr. Jennifer Lawson, known across Canada for her Hands-On resources, and Shannon Gander, who is a nationally-recognized professional speaker on the subjects of mental health and wellness.
Presenters: Jennifer Lawson
Time: 1:00 pm - 02:10 pm
location: Virtual
Participant Max: 200
Sessions - 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
FULL - PM Half-Day Children's Museum - In person
Andrea Brickwood is the Director of Education & Exhibits at the Children’s Museum. Andrea is a teacher who has been working in informal, hands-on learning spaces for over 15 years. She is a Winnipegger at heart, but has worked in the education departments at science centres across Canada including Science North and TELUS World of Science – Edmonton. Andrea loves combining her education background, her experience as a performer and her passion for working with children in all her work at the museum.
Jessie Sopher is the Education Coordinator at the MB Children’s Museum. Her background is working primarily in childcare with formal training as an ECE and Bachelor of Arts (Theatre & History) but prefers the informal education approach. Jessie has taught both musical theatre and dance throughout her adulthood and brings that training to the museum classrooms. Jessie believes in a hands-on, messy-fun style of teaching and enjoys seeing children learn through exploration!
1:00- Arrival
1:00-1:30- Introductions
• Tips/tricks
• How we spark creative learning
1:30-2:00- Tour (we will probably split into two groups (one with me and one with Andrea- Director of Education & Exhibits)
2:00-3:00- Showcase some school programs/events/special programs
3:00-3:30- Q&A
FULL - PM Half-Day Visit the Leaf ! - In person
In 2023, The Assiniboine Park launched a new menu of school programs specific to the Leaf. This iconic building provides a learning environment like no other. Your session will include a tour of the Leaf’s biomes, while your guide helps you understand the logistics for your fieldtrip to ensure your students can get the most out of their visit. We will also highlight the amazing programs and experiences that are available to visiting school groups.
Location:Assiniboine The Leaf
Time:1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Participant Max: 15
Sessions - 2:20 PM-3:20 PM
FULL - 2A Treaty Education in the Classroom: K-4 with Lessons Plan Examples (Pm Session) - Virtual
Participants will learn strategies for teaching Treaties in the classroom. Examples and activities will be shared from “The Treaties and the Treaty Relationship Teacher Guides,” for K-4. Learn teacher tips – high level ideas, rather than formatted lesson plans – to aid you in incorporating Treaty education in your classroom. Help students begin their Treaty education journey in a positive atmosphere of learning.
Penny Ross is a Métis educator from the Interlake Region. She is currently with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba as an In-School Support Consultant. Ms. Ross retired from Evergreen School Division where she was the Indigenous Consultant for seventeen years. She is a mother, author, storyteller and avid gardener.
Presenter: Penny Ross
Time: 2:20 pm - 3:20 pm
Location: Virtual
Participant Max: 40
FULL - 2B Teaching Basic French in the Elementary Classrooms (PM Session) - Virtual
Sarah Prach is a classroom teacher sharing her knowledge and experience teaching French in the English program in Grades 1 to 6 at different points in her career. She will be teaching Grade 6 in the new school year and looks forward to sharing her expertise in the area to better support classroom teachers with resources, lessons and ideas for Basic French.
Presenter: Sarah Prach
Sarah Prach is a grade 5 teacher at Henry G. Izatt Middle School - sharing where educators can access French resources
Time: 2:20 pm - 3:20 pm
Location: Virtual
Participant Max: 40
FULL - 2C Project Manager at Climate Change Connection (PM Session) - Virtual
Climate Change in your Classroom
Climate Change is a wonderfully complex subject that can include Science, Mathematics, Language Arts and Social Studies. However, due to its complexity it is difficult to know how to educate, motivate, and activate your students they are aware, not overwhelmed, and working on solutions. This session will provide you with a starting off point, with all of the background information and tools needed to launch climate change in your classrooms.
Presenter: Susan Lindsay
Susan Lindsay, Project Manager at Climate Change Connection, has been educating people about climate change for 20 years. She has a post graduate in Eco-Tourism Management and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. She is passionate about talking about climate action and how educators can inspire change in students.
Time: 2:20 pm - 3:20 pm
Location: Virtual
FULL - 2D Art with Palak (PM Session) - Virtual
My art journey was the sacrifice; and I almost let it slip. But passionate dreams leave you restless as I soon discovered. Because, during the pandemic, I suddenly had lots of free time to pursue my passion. And I did, by learning a new form of art called “Alcohol inks”.
It was as though I recovered a hidden power of mine, and I could not stop making beautiful pieces. My mother’s words of encouragement echoed continuously in my head. Combined with my art tutor’s inspirational pieces, I decided to take art seriously. Self-taught and art-obsessed, I somehow discovered my passion for teaching. Why don’t I provide art classes to people who need guidance? And so I dove headfirst into an art career that I never imagined possible.
Although I have a Bachelor's degree in Interior design and earned a Postgraduate certificate in kitchen and bathroom design, my art skills were developed individually and innately. I was made for this.
Palak StudioInk is my professional painting classes studio that teaches art and customizes pieces in Calgary, Canada. Here, I teach kids and adults sketching, drawing, and painting. I provide several workshops and Online Art classes designed to teach various kinds of art including canvas painting, pencil colors, sketching, acrylic/watercolors.
Join Palak for a hands-on virtual art lesson and make sure to have these materials on hand:_________________________________ as you dive into a lesson that you can take back into the classroom
Presenter: Palak Dhorajiya
My name is Palak Dhorajiya; and I am obsessed with creating imaginative art. Growing up in India, I always had a passion for art. At the time, I would make time within my busy schedule as a full time student to attend workshops and art class.However, as time passed, education became my major priority. I relocated to Calgary, Canada to pursue a career in Interior design
Time: 02:20 pm - 3:20 pm
location: Virtual
Participant Max: 40
FULL - 2E Encouraging nutrition, student leadership, and sustainability, welcome to Recycle Right with Milk! - Virtual
Recycle Right with Milk is Manitoba’s new elementary school milk program. It encourages students working together to develop better recycling habits, while supporting the habit of drinking milk.
This session is for teachers and administrators who want to discover how participation in Recycle Right with Milk, a complimentary program, can support important school initiatives. Find out what’s new, how to run the program and why your students will benefit. If your school has elementary students and is committed to nutrition, leadership and sustainability, this is the RIGHT session for you!
Presenter: Sarah Cahill, RD
Provincial Project Manager, Nutrition (Manitoba)
Dairy Farmers of Canada
Location:Virtual
Time:2:20 pm - 3:20 pm
Participant Max: 40
