APRIL/MAY 2016 VOLUME 94 NUMBER 6 NEWSMAGAZINE OF THE MANITOBA TEACHERS’ SOCIETY As a member of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society you can save money on: INSURANCE CAR RENTALS Accident Critical Illness MORTGAGES Guarantee Issue FORGET! Health & Dental MOVERS Home Insurance Term Life REAL ESTATE Register at unionsavings.ca to take FINANCIAL advantage of exclusive discounts from Canada’s only not-for profit, Credit Cards union run, members’ benefit RESPs progam, or call 1-800-418-2990. UnionSavingsCanada @UnionSavings DON'T APRIL/MAY 2016 VOLUME 94 NUMBER 6 NEWSMAGAZINE OF THE MANITOBA TEACHERS’ SOCIETY P.4 From the President P.5 Inside MTS P.6 Greg Selinger fields questions from MTS Manitoba Premier says education is at a turning point P.12 MTS asks some not-so-probing questions The three main leaders answer some questions about their school days P.8 Quizzing your candidates P.14 View from outside on election CJOB’s Richard Cloutier tells us what to expect in the weeks ahead Voting for policies that support public education no matter which party is proposing them FROM THE PRESIDENT Editor George Stephenson, NORM GOULD [email protected] Phone: (204) 831-3058 Design he first few months of every New Year are always a time of anxiety Krista Rutledge for many teachers and definitely for those of us involved in MTS. It is during those months that the provincial government Photography announcesT how much money it will devote to public education and, in turn, Matea Tuhtar budget decisions are made by local school boards. It is during those latter discussions that we are always reminded – and this Circulation year is no exception – that 80-some per cent of division budgets go toward Jennifer Nasse, [email protected] paying employees. Of course, it’s not ever put that way in media coverage. It is often described that 80-some per cent of the budgets are “eaten up” by Advertising staff, as if there is a pack of jackals unfairly making off with most of the Mireille Theriault, [email protected] money earmarked for education. The Manitoba Teacher Sure it’s just a lazy cliché, but isn’t often enough put in the context of what 191 Harcourt Street education entails. Education is almost totally made up of people. Sure there Winnipeg, MB R3J 3H2 are computers and books and whiteboards and other costs. But at its core Phone: (204) 888-7961 you are paying for people; people to maintain the buildings, people to handle Fax: (204) 831-0877 administrative chores and, mostly, people – teachers -- whose knowledge and ability are the No. 1 requirement to running an education system. Published seven times a year (September– The majority of education funding does not go to what’s on a teacher’s June) by The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. desk or in their hands, it goes to what is in their heads, what they’ve learned Articles and views published herein do not through years of university and experience. necessarily represent the policies nor the It seems all so obvious, but that becomes less clear when school divisions views of the Society. start the budget process and the media and others weigh in with their Join other Manitoba teachers who opinions on how schools should operate. During a discussion on the radio it follow us on Facebook and Twitter. was suggested the Winnipeg School Division could solve its fiscal problems by firing 60 or more teachers. The Brandon Sun turned out an almost fact- free editorial suggesting too much money was going to teachers. facebook.com/ It’s all true. You could run a school system much more cheaply without manitobateachers teachers or only a handful per school. You could also save money on a new car if you bought one without an engine. And, well, there’s always the twitter.com/ old thought that schools would run much more efficiently if there were mbteachers no students. The good news is it seems more and more trustees are getting the message Publications Mail Agreement that a quality education system needs teachers. Research by MTS – through 40063378 ISSN 002-228X focus groups and polls of the general public – has also found that a majority of taxpayers would rather see more resources put into education. Return undeliverable We have found that is especially true of parents who are more keenly aware Canadian addresses to: of what goes on in today’s classrooms. They are strong supporters of teachers Information Management they come in contact with. The Manitoba Teachers’ Society So, maybe as the years go by, and we continue to point out the obvious, 191 Harcourt Street that the anxiety at the beginning of each year will lessen and everyone can Winnipeg, MB R3J 3H2 relax knowing our schools and students are in good hands. email: [email protected] 4 THE MANITOBA TEACHER APRIL/MAY 2016 INSIDE MTS MTS READY TO WORK WITH WHOMEVER WINS ELECTION BOBBI TAILLEFER, GENERAL SECRETARY pring has sprung!!!! Teachers do not only influence public be meeting in order to do work on your Thank goodness that the days policy with their vote, they are on the behalf. All of the information on these are longer and the sun is shining front line of provincial politics. We have MTS events can be found on our website – Swarmly upon us. I am always so excited current and former members who have www.mbteach.org under the Professional for the coming of spring and the arrival thrown their hats into the ring and stand Development tab. of summer. It is a time that makes me feel as candidates for all major political parties. While you are on the website you will more creative and I have renewed energy I wish them all success because I believe notice the Call for AGM. The Annual to tackle all of the activities that MTS it is good for Manitoba to have teachers General Meeting is being held at the has planned. among the policy and decision makers at Winnipeg Fairmont Hotel on May 26th This spring is going to be very busy at the Legislature in order to be a voice and to the 28th. This meeting of approximately The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. With advocate for education. Many people think 330 delegates and staff of the Society is a the provincial election looming, we that they know about teaching, education very important event in your professional are committed to making sure that the and schools because they once went to life because much like the provincial membership has sufficient and reliable school, but teachers know that education election, this meeting of members is when information so that they can make an is an ever evolving and truly complex we set policy and ensure that we chart a informed decision in the voting booth on profession. We, at the The Manitoba progressive course for our organization. April 19th (or earlier at advance polls). Teachers’ Society look forward to working I would like to thank all of the members This election is important for many collaboratively with all who will be elected who volunteer to be delegates and engage reasons but, for MTS members, it is an in order to address issues that affect in this very important work on behalf of all opportunity to support a government with Manitoba’s teachers and classrooms. their colleagues. I look forward to seeing an education friendly agenda. In this way Also on our spring agenda are a multitude you there as we work together to support we can influence the legislative agenda of upcoming workshops on subject matters our profession. and ensure progressive policy that shapes such as UDL numeracy and literacy, a bright future for public education in leadership and teaching with equity. our province. As well, many of our committees will CANDIDATES FOR PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE There are three provincial executive members-at-large positions to be filled during the 2016 Annual General Meeting May 26-28. See related pre-AGM story, page 18. Nominated so far: Ray Desautels Frank Reeves Suzanne Jolicoeur St. James Assiniboia River East Transcona AÉFM THE MANITOBA TEACHER APRIL/MAY 2016 5 BY GEORGE STEPHENSON s Premier Greg Selinger looks into Selinger’s interview with The Teacher was “The pressure to go back to standardized, the future, he says education in the last of three done with the main party one-size-fits-all approach will leave more Manitoba is at a turning point. leaders in advance of the April 19 provincial kids in a position of failing, which is not the AStudents, teachers, schools and even the election. Interviews with Conservative way we need to go.” materials that have to be taught and learned Leader Brian Pallister and Liberal Leader Selinger says that is one of the frustrations are not what they once were. Rana Bokhari were featured in the January/ he has with the emphasis on standardized, “We are seeing greater and greater February and March issues. international testing in basics such diversity in our population,” he said in an Selinger said the growing Indigenous as literacy and math that have shown interview with The Teacher. “The challenge school population along with the influx of Manitoba students scoring below others in of diversity and having an education tailored refugees and other newcomers to Manitoba the world and Canada. to the needs of each child and family is create the need for new practices in public “They leave out all the other things going to be a requirement in the future.” school education. teachers are doing now with kids in school.” 6 THE MANITOBA TEACHER APRIL/MAY 2016 While the basics remain important, “Kids need to know how to navigate individualized attention to students who schools now must accommodate needs the digital world; they need to be able to need it.