DECEMBER 2014 VOLUME 93 NUMBER 3 NEWSMAGAZINE OF THE TEACHERS’ SOCIETY

BY JUSTICE MURRAY SINCLAIR Rock us at

YHA 2015 We’re looking for amazing voices, musicians and dancers!

Know a talented student or group who can rock our Young Humanitarian Awards? We’ll be featuring three acts at our May 20, 2015, YHA show at the Fairmont .

Send your tip along with a YouTube link to [email protected]

Must be public school students. Honorarium provided. DECEMBER 2014 VOLUME 93 NUMBER 3 NEWSMAGAZINE OF THE MANITOBA TEACHERS’ SOCIETY

P. 4 President’s Column P. 5 Inside MTS

PD in pix P. 12 Teachers pack Fab5 and SAGE events.

P. 15

The year everyone graduated Portfolio Media Research finds old P. 20 can’t experiment resulted believe in huge educational themselves. gains.

P. 11

Hockey and health Winnipeg Jets Foundation creates P. 18 mental health program for students. Open books P. 6 Little, outdoor Teaching history libraries are Justice Murray Sinclair popping up on need to teach about in Manitoba. residential schools. PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

PAUL OLSON Editor George Stephenson, [email protected]

Design Tamara Paetkau, Krista Rutledge write this on the eve of Remembrance Day, and also in the long shadow of Photography the PCAP report, which confirmed we’re the worst teachers in the country. (It had graphs, so it must be true.) Matea Tuhtar IOne school I visited recently has a student population of 400, but last year Circulation processed 1,100 registrations—almost a 300 per cent rate of annual “churn”, mostly with federally funded schools. Nearby, a Grade 8 teacher Jennifer Nasse, [email protected] had two kids who stayed with her from September through June—with 84 other Advertising students passing through her class (singular) during the year. Mireille Theriault, [email protected] On the Remembrance Day front (pun intended), a number of veterans groups have promised to boycott any federal photo ops where these same veterans are Send contributions to: regularly trotted out as patriotic eye candy. They apparently object to the closing The Manitoba Teacher of Veterans Affairs offices and what they see as the appalling treatment of veterans 191 Harcourt Street and their families by the Canadian government. Winnipeg, MB R3J 3H2 That’s a lot of seemingly divergent threads, even for me. But I have a point, if Phone: (204) 831-3058 not a plan. Fax: (204) 831-0877 The Canadian economy is twice the size it was when we invented Medicare— Published seven times a year (September– but we’re being told we can’t afford it, and that refugees don’t deserve such care. June) by The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. The Canadian tax system is set up in such a way that investment returns are Articles and views published herein do not taxed at a lower rate than wages. To clarify, the worker at a McDonalds is taxed at necessarily represent the policies nor the a higher rate than the shareholders who own them. views of the Society. The Canadian government asserts that it meets its treaty obligations regarding First Nations schools in Manitoba because it funds at par with provincial schools. Join other Manitoba teachers who First of all: bollocks. And second: do you think it might cost more to run good follow us on Twitter and Facebook. schools in remote areas than it would in Winnipeg? ‘Parity’ should be a word spat out in disdain—not a goal. facebook.com/ The Canadian government has also capped transfer payments for both Health manitobateachers and Social services at a rate that will easily be outstripped by inflation over the coming years. Provincial governments will have ‘options’ like selling off public assets, privatizing services, raising their own tax revenues, or letting their people twitter.com/mbteachers suffer all the more. When I left my last group of students in 2007 to become Vice President, I worried that I’d lose sight of the realities of the classroom. What’s happened Publications Mail Agreement instead is that I’ve gained a whole new perspective on where those challenges 40063378 ISSN 002-228X come from, how they land on the heads of our students, and how they regularly overbear the teachers who stand between them and the abyss. Return undeliverable Every one of us is the Canadian government. Ottawa may be where our Canadian addresses to: representatives gather, but the government is you, and me. Information Management On this Remembrance Day, I’ll be honouring my father, my brother, and all The Manitoba Teachers’ Society those who served and who serve by thinking about what I need to do to get 191 Harcourt Street my country back. This is not the nation, and these are not the values, that they Winnipeg, MB R3J 3H2 thought they were fighting to protect. email: [email protected] I still wear a poppy with pride. Just…less of it.

4 THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 INSIDE MTS

KEN PEARCE, GENERAL SECRETARY

or a lot of members of MTS, the Society’s AGM is probably just three letters. FBut the Annual General Meeting of the Society is the culmination of a broad swath of work by staff. One of the most time-consuming aspects of our work is in the preparation for this event but many of our members have no idea how much time goes into organizing the whole thing or, perhaps, why it is important. Basically, the Society meets annually to ensure that the activities of committees, elected officials and staff are on track with the Society’s goals of meeting members’ needs in every aspect of their professional lives. For example, your fees are collected to provide you with a variety of services and also to provide the Society with the means to address issues with government and educational partners (trustees, superintendents and parent organizations, for example). What this means is that the Association Presidents and Provincial Executive discuss changes to the AGM at the Society acts on behalf of public school October 25 Presidents’ Council. teachers by acting as agents in discussing everything from curriculum focus and that meets several times a year with the General Meeting starts right after the certification requirements through legal Provincial Executive. decisions are made at the May meeting. services for those encountering problems. We are exploring both the minor and Once the new Provincial Executive is What does this have to do with the major: format of receiving greetings, elected and the programs and budgets for Annual General Meeting? Everything. reports, questions, resolutions and the next year are set, the meeting concludes The Society requires that its activities overviews of insurance and pension issues and staff begin work on preparing be governed by its bylaws, policies and and looking for any potential for creating documentation for the internal application operational practices. We report through and maintaining a dynamic and engaging of any directives from the delegates made AGM to members on the way your fees business meeting. I have been asked to look by resolutions at this AGM. Reports on were spent in the preceding year and the at the agendas from the past several years progress made by committees or staff is proposed programs, and their related costs, and explore ways to streamline the business made at the regular Provincial Executive to be provided in the coming year. of AGM and the timing of agenda items. meetings and at the Presidents’ Council The AGM provides reports on all its Your locally elected delegates (almost meetings mentioned earlier. activities including its external relations 300 teachers from around the province) Delegates have sometimes been frustrated and it provides a forum for debate on receive reports from the Society’s by the lack of information and debate on issues of the day and projected matters of Disability Plan and the operations of the some issues and a surfeit of information importance to teachers. Having just spent Teachers Retirement and Allowances Fund and questions on others. If you have your the past two years organizing the Society’s board. They also examine numerous other own observations on the potential for bylaws and policies, your elected and reports and listen to presentations on issues change to the way our AGM is structured, appointed representatives, working with of the day, either from committees or from or if you have questions on what AGM is staff, are currently focussing on what we invited speakers. The delegates debate all about, I invite you to contact me by can do to streamline the process for AGM, potential changes to your fees and service email at [email protected]. allowing for greater member engagement provision, as well as provide direction to and focus. Discussions on staff and at the the 12-member provincial executive. The Provincial Executive level are being assisted delegates’ decisions become the Society’s by consultation with local associations, focus in the ensuing year. starting with Presidents’ Council, a body The process of preparing for the Annual

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 5 PHOTOS BY MATEA TUHTAR, BIRTLE INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, BIRTLE MB

6 THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 BY JUSTICE MURRAY SINCLAIR CHAIR, CANADIAN TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

he Truth and Reconciliation The schools were about changing the Commission is all about the identities of indigenous children, but how education of children. We have been can one do that, when there is so much directedT to investigate the federal government’s information bred in your bones that is not educational system for First Nations, Inuit consistent with the identity you are being and Metis children that was in place for over told you must take on? It is difficult to believe 125 years. Educational initiatives are implied that you can live and be just like a white in that part of our mandate which requires us man when a brown face stares back at you in to reveal to Canadians the true and complete the mirror. story of that system. The story of the schools, But that only explains one side of the issue. in an obvious sense, is a lesson in education. There are others as well. However, it is precisely because education We are governed in our approach to was the primary tool of oppression of reconciliation with this thought: the way that Aboriginal people, and miseducation of all we have all been educated in this country— Canadians, that we have concluded that Aboriginal children in residential schools education holds the key to reconciliation. and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children Education is important. in public and other schools – has brought In order for any society to function properly, us to where we are today—to a point where it must raise and educate its children so the psychological and emotional wellbeing that they can answer what philosophers of Aboriginal children has been harmed, such as Socrates, and Plato, and Aboriginal influenced by knowing what your family and the relationship between Aboriginal and Elders, call ‘the great questions of life’. Those and community need, and then, filling that non-Aboriginal people has been seriously questions are: Where do I come from? Where need, and feeling the satisfaction that derives damaged. This is so, not just in terms of what am I going? Why am I here? Who am I? from that. was taught (or not taught) about residential Children need to know their personal story. The fourth question, “Who am I?”, is the schools, but also in terms of what Aboriginal We all need to know the stories of our parents most important, because it is the one that and non-Aboriginal people have been taught and our grandparents, our direct and indirect we are always asking and always answering. about each other. ancestors and our real and mythological It is the constant question. It is influenced It is our view that, in broad terms, education has villains and heroes. by everything and everyone. We fight to brought us to the current state of poor relations As part of that story we also need to know maintain the answer we like, and we fight to between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples about the story of the community of people change and improve the answer we don’t. We in this country, but education holds the key to to which we are attached—our collective strive to attain the perfect answer by the time making things better. story—all the way back to our place in the we die, not realizing that in fact there is no We know that making things better will creation of this world. right or wrong answer. It is a question about not happen overnight. It will take generations. We all have a Creation story, and we all need understanding our life. It is about identity. It That’s how the damage was created and that’s to know what it is. We also need to learn that is about what you have become, but it is also how the damage will be fixed. But if we agree not all Creation stories are the same, but that about what you want to become. on the objective of reconciliation, and agree all Creation stories are true. That is important In many ways it is the answer that derives to work together, the work we do today, will in teaching about respect. from knowing the answers to the other three immeasurably strengthen the social fabric of We also need to know where we are going. questions. If one of them is unanswered or the tomorrow. Knowing where you’re going is not just about answer in doubt, then this question remains I’m sure you have heard many stories about where you are going to be next week, or next unfulfilled. Your life is not in balance. the horrific abuse some have suffered at the year, or in 25 years. It is also about what For children in residential schools, those hands of those who ran the schools. But happens to us when we die. It’s about the spirit questions went unfulfilled. The answers that it is not the complete story. Most children world, and life after death. It’s about belief, they were forced to accept ran counter to were not physically and sexually abused in and faith, and hope. much of the knowledge they already carried the schools. Of the 80,000 claimants for Knowing why you are here is also related from their early lives as children in their own Common Experience Payments paid for to the other two questions. But the answer families and communities. In my culture, merely attending the schools, it’s anticipated to that third question is also about knowing as is true for all others, your first teacher that about 25,000 to 30,000 are likely to be what role you play in the world, including in is your mother, and your first classroom is able to prove claims for serious injury arising your community of people. your family home. What you learn in those from an act of abuse. It’s about knowing whether your purpose is formative years influences you for life, and as However, all the children who went to the fulfilled through being an artist, or a leader or you grow, you look for things that reinforce schools have been damaged in some way, a warrior or a caregiver or a healer or a helper. what you learned from your mother, or your some without even realizing it. Physical Clan teachings and naming ceremonies grandmother, or your uncles and aunties. and sexual abuses are not the only source of in my own culture provide answers about Indian Residential School denied all that and trauma. The separation from parents at such a that, but the answer to that question is also tried to squash that curiosity. young age, being subjected to a climate of fear,

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 7 Residential schools have now been closed for at least one generation. In fact, they had pretty much closed by the 1980s, but the legacy of those schools is very much alive. of loneliness, of hostility and of oppression, And it lives on in lives of the children and claimed the entire place for a foreign power. would have been enough to cause enormous grandchildren of those parents. Nation-building has been the main theme personal damage to any child, especially A great accumulation of damage has been of Canada’s history curricula for a long time, when combined with the children’s long-term done to Aboriginal cultures, languages, families and Aboriginal people, except for a few institutionalization, and isolation from family. and communities by residential schools. notable exceptions trotted out as if to prove Such matters dominate the testimony of It wasn’t just Indian Residential Schools the rule, have been portrayed in textbooks as survivors when they discuss the schools. that bear the blame. The public schools do bystanders, or obstacles, to the enterprise of Even in the stories we have heard about how as well. A great deal of damage has been nation-building. some survivors feel that the schools took them done to the relationship between Aboriginal Many of today’s leading and prominent from home environments that were violent people and all other Canadians because non- Canadians attended school and university or neglectful and impoverished and gave Aboriginal people have been educated not to in an era long before educational authorities them opportunities they would never have respect Aboriginal people. Sadly, even in our began to take their first critical look at otherwise had, we must always keep in mind public schools, Aboriginal children have been curricula as it relates to Aboriginal peoples. that we are talking about home environments taught about this country, about themselves, That education has influenced each and every that have largely been created by the legacy of and about their place in the world, in a one of us. As an Aboriginal student it denied residential schools. The past several generations manner which has caused them shame and to me any sense of pride about the role of my of survivors were invariably intergenerational humiliation. If you don’t believe this then ancestors in the history of this part of the survivors of parents who went to the schools. you do not understand the implications of the world. For my non-Aboriginal classmates, it It’s hard and illogical to give the savior credit continuing high dropout rates of Aboriginal taught them that we were wild and savage and when, in the eyes of the Aboriginal community, children in public schools. uncivilized, and that given the conditions of it is the primary perpetrator. The commission has visited hundreds Aboriginal people in modern society, we had Residential schools have now been closed for of communities and heard thousands of not advanced very far from that state. My non- at least one generation. In fact, they had pretty statements. In almost every community Aboriginal classmates were taught to be proud much closed by the 1980s, but the legacy of where non-Aboriginal persons have been in of the accomplishments of their ancestors in those schools is very much alive. the audience, someone, sometimes several taming this wild country and wresting it from It lives on in the daily experiences of people, has come up to me and said, “I didn’t the savages and establishing this wonderful the survivors in this country. It lives on in know. I really didn’t know. I attended school nation known as Canada. their attitudes about themselves and in the in this province, high school, university even, My education lacked relevance for me, and opportunities that are and are not open to them. and I didn’t know any of this. I had my entire this was so despite my success at it. But that It lives on in their children who do not know schooling in this province and I was never success came at a price. It taught me and others their languages, or their cultures, and who taught a thing about Indian Residential that my people were irrelevant. By implication were denied the chance to gain a sense of self Schools or the laws that were passed to it caused me to feel that I was too. It taught respect from schools that constantly portrayed maintain them.” us to believe in the inferiority of Aboriginal their people as savages, heathens, uncivilized, Most Canadians have been taught little or people and in the inherent superiority of white treacherous, sneaky, dishonest, thieving, nothing about the Indian Residential Schools. European civilization, and in order to get the and irrelevant. But they were probably taught something, grades that I did, I was compelled to repeat It lives on in the lives of Aboriginal parents one way or another, about the history of that unconscious mantra. The system of my who spent years living in institutions where Canada and the role of Aboriginal peoples in day did not teach us to respect Aboriginal they would never have learned to parent that history. They were probably taught, for people because it never told us anything about properly, denied the chance to observe and instance, that the history of Canada began “in the Aboriginal presence in this country that receive positive parenting from their own 1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue”, showed the humanity of the people. In public parents, or to participate in any kind of or when John Cabot and Jacques Cartier schools, we were all educated to be the same, normal family life. landed on a small piece of land in the east and and if we rebelled, resisted, or rejected that

8 THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 It is our view that, in broad terms, education has brought us to the current state of poor relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country, but education holds the key to making things better. process, we were weeded out or we weeded hear that from her Mooshim. The 2011 report concluded that: ourselves out. Of the Aboriginal students I But what I haven’t been able to tell her • “…the status of curriculum regarding started grade school with, few ever graduated yet—because she’s too young—is that I was the Indian Residential Schools varies from high school. Even my brother and sister raised to believe I was an ugly duckling and greatly—from recently revised to revision- did not. But though I and others succeeded despite my significant duck skills, I always felt in-progress to curriculum that is several in that system, it was not without cost to our shame and confusion and sadness because years old.” own humanity, and our sense of self-respect. I did not feel like a duck. When she is old • “In much of the provincial/territorial I have a grand-daughter—Sarah is her enough to understand, I will tell her about curriculum, content on residential schools English name—Nimijien Niibense is her Spirit the day I became a swan—when I realized is limited and, if presented, is often a sub- name and that is how I always call her. She is I was a strong Anishinaabe man—and that set of a broad context.” very special to me. She loves to hear stories, there were many things of beauty about being I don’t want to dismiss the “broad context”. especially Nanabush stories—the stories of the Anishinaabe that belong to me. I think she The “broad context” is obviously crucial. All trickster of our people. Yet from time to time will have to know that part of my story too. students, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, need I like to tell her other children stories as well, The second reason why I talk about the to learn that the history of this country did Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three work of those academics is because it takes a not begin in 1492, or even with the arrival of Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack long time and a great deal of concerted effort Vikings much earlier. They need to learn about and the Beanstalk are among her favorites, to turn around damaging public attitudes. the Aboriginal nations that the Europeans met, mainly I think, because I can be a pretty Mainstream Canadians see the dysfunction about their rich linguistic and cultural heritage, believable Bear, or Big Bad Wolf, or Giant. of Aboriginal communities but they have no about what they felt and thought as they But I like to tell her my favorite story from my idea how that happened, what caused it, or dealt with such historic figures as Champlain, childhood—the Story of the Ugly Duckling. how government contributed to that reality LaVerendrye and the representatives of the The story of the little duckling who was through such actions and policies as the Hudson’s Bay Company. They need to learn mocked and teased and bullied mercilessly by residential schools. In that environment, it why they negotiated treaties and that they his brothers and sisters and friends and all the becomes easy to blame Aboriginal people for negotiated them with purpose and integrity other ducks for being ugly, is a touching one. their lot in life and for their failure to overcome and in good faith. His sadness and humiliation and loneliness it as others have. They need to learn why Aboriginal leaders marked his life in the story. He wanted so hard So, I want to say something about the current and elders fight so hard to defend those poorly to be like all the other ducks but he was never state of education in Canada. Education holds worded treaties and why they have been ignored treated well and he always felt like he never the key to reconciliation. by Euro-Canadian settlers and governments. fit in. He began to feel ugly. He felt he was a Education has changed from my day, but They need to learn about what it means to failure, rejected and lost. has it changed enough? have inherent rights and learn of the many But then one day he discovered that he I’m aware that there have been genuine issues that are ongoing and why. was not a duck. He was in fact a beautiful, attempts to reform what our children— But this is not enough. As I said before, beautiful swan. He learned that himself, from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal—are taught mainstream Canadians see the dysfunction seeing other swans. He discovered who he about Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and of Aboriginal communities but they have no really was and he discovered that what others even about the Indian Residential School idea how that happened, what caused it, or called ugly was, in fact, a thing of great beauty. system itself. how government contributed to that reality His happiness at that discovery was one that I The Legacy of Hope Foundation and the through residential schools and the policies felt as I read the story as a child, and which I Aboriginal Healing Foundation commissioned and laws in place during their existence. felt, as I told it to Sarah. an environmental scan by Curriculum Services Our education system, through omission When I tell her that story, I tell her that she Canada of the curricula being used in Canadian or commission, has failed to do that and too is a beautiful swan no matter what others elementary schools, secondary schools and misunderstanding, ignorance, and racism might tell her, and it makes her feel good to post-secondary programs. has resulted, on the one hand, and shame,

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 9 Children need to know their personal story. We all need to know the stories of our parents and our grandparents, our direct and indirect ancestors and our real and mythological villains and heroes. humiliation, a lack of self-respect and anger Residential Schools. Manitoba is piloting an only as electives and not as mandatory in the have occurred, on the other. initiative for middle-school years. Curriculum senior grades, even if they deal extensively The educational systems of this country material on residential schools is also offered and appropriately with the Indian Residential bear a large share of the responsibility for the in B.C. schools. School system and the fallout from it, I expect current state of affairs. But it can fix what it Alberta teaches residential schools as a that I will still be approached in five, 10 or 15 has broken. sub-topic of its mandatory social studies years from now by people saying to me, “You What our education systems need to do is curriculum. The Northwest Territories and know, I received my elementary, secondary this: they must commit to teach Aboriginal and Nunavut have recently announced that the and post-secondary education in this country, non-Aboriginal children—our children— history of Indian Residential Schools will be and I never heard a single thing about the how to speak respectfully to and about each a mandatory component of their curriculum. Indian Residential Schools.” other in the future. It begins with teaching In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the task of I want to prevent that from happening. them the truth about our history. Knowing persuasion was made easier by the work of Here is what I said to the Council of what happened will lead to understanding. their respective Treaty Commissions which Ministers of Education at their Annual Understanding leads to respect. have done great work in having treaties and Meeting in Halifax in July of 2012: Reconciliation is about respect. The treaty-making taught in all schools on the • ….I am asking you this morning for a relationship must be founded on mutual basis that “We are all Treaty People.” commitment to embark on a process that respect, but we must not lose sight of the While sub-topics such as residential schools will result in changes in the curricula of your threshold importance of ensuring that firstly, and treaties are important, they do need to be particular province or territory – changes Aboriginal children are given an opportunity seen as a starting point to the development of that will ensure that every single child that to develop their self-respect. That must a comprehensive approach to the inclusion is educated in the jurisdiction you represent is come first. of materials that fully discuss the history taught about the Indian Residential Schools The Legacy of Hope has developed a of this country, materials that give full and in the course of his or her education, that comprehensive, high-quality package about proper respect to Aboriginal people and bring every single child that is educated in your Residential Schools. Its focus is on the balance to the nature of the historical and jurisdiction learns about the treatment inclusion of residential schools in educational current relationships between Aboriginal and of Aboriginal people, and the historical curricula; it is a strong beginning to the non-Aboriginal people in this country. relationships between Aboriginal and non- development of important initiatives. Anyone There are hurdles and I have no interest in Aboriginal people in this country. interested in curriculum development should making this sound easier than it is. Now that you know that, I ask you to push look at what they have done. But here is my concern: as educators and citizens of this great country Some jurisdictions have developed If programs which deal with the experience to see that this is accomplished. curriculum changes concerning Indian of Aboriginal people in this country are taught

10 THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 Jets boost plan for mental health

BY JUDY OWEN

t’s easier to support a program if a teacher is interested in “I think kids have to learn how to relax themselves because the topic, believes the material will benefit students and it’s a pretty stressful society, even for kids,” he said. “We’re its simple to use. always on the go.” ISuzi Friesen is helping promote Project 11 for all those Gow works with kindergarten to Grade 6 students at reasons, plus she has a personal connection to the subject Centennial School and said he might apply to be part of the matter. pilot project. Project 11 is a positive mental health initiative for Manitoba Project 11 is seeking 50 schools from across the province to students in grades 5–8, which is seeking schools to take part take part in the first pilot project for grades 5–6 that starts in pilot projects beginning in January and September, 2015. in January. Schools are being contacted in hopes teachers Friesen’s mother struggled with mental illness for most of will apply by December 19. Participants will be selected in a her life. While growing up, Friesen didn’t know whom she lottery type of draw. could talk to about the effect on herself and her family. “I think it’s an interesting idea, an issue that needs to be If Project 11 had been around, it could have made a dealt with in the schools so I’m all for it,” Gow said. difference, she said. While he’s aware of some students with mental health issues, “My mom is well now. She’s on medication and she’s in not all of them seek help or are easily recognized. That’s where a good place. Growing up, my family and I weren’t always a program such as Project 11 could help widen the reach. aware of the supports available and her mental illness wasn’t “It would hit everybody,” Gow said. “Those ones that maybe really talked about,” said Friesen, who presented on Project 11 don’t need it, but it would definitely hit all those ones that you at a SAGE session this fall. don’t notice. That’s what I think would be good.” “Had Project 11 been something that my teacher could have When Friesen was teaching, she’d often have co-workers used, it would have had me thinking and self-reflecting sooner. ask her for health-related lessons so she’d dig up what she’d I would have sought out resources and support systems.” created for her students. Project 11 was created by the Winnipeg Jets True North Project 11 now offers a curricular support resource written Foundation in honour of pro hockey player Rick Rypien, by former Manitoba teacher Heidi Fingas that’s professionally who wore No. 11 for the American Hockey League’s former developed and simple to use. Manitoba Moose and was planning to wear the same number “In some schools, health issues are taught as part of phys ed for the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets. classes, so this is a way for it to be really easy to integrate into Rypien suffered for years with depression and was getting your ELA as well,” Friesen said. treatment while playing for the Vancouver Canucks. He took “Teachers can play the video and it will guide them through his own life in August 2011, just a month after signing a the lesson. It’s all right there and it’s easy to access. It should contract with the Jets. be really user-friendly and kid-friendly.” The goal of Project 11 is to create awareness about mental health. Friesen, a Project 11 co-ordinator, taught middle years in the Seven Oaks School Division. Her SAGE presentation included video of the easy-to-use, free online resource, which is split into lessons for grades 5–8. The project’s content includes videos featuring kids, experts and local celebrities and athletes such as Winnipeg Jets defenceman Mark Stuart. There are lesson plans with themes such as stress, self- reflection, friendship and communication, as well as related handouts that can be downloaded. A fun component is called ‘bodychecks’, which are daily activities incorporating yoga, laughing yoga, music and rhythm, fun with food, relaxation techniques and aboriginal dancing. Peter Gow, a behaviour resource teacher in Sunrise School Division who attended the session, said Project 11 would be easy to implement in the classroom.

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 11 For the first time in six years, the 2014 MTS FAB 5 conference—for teachers in their first five years—was held in Winnipeg during the same week as the Special Area Groups of Educators (SAGE) Coordinated Conference Day. Feedback in the exit survey and from conversations with participants during the conference indicates that having the FAB 5 in the same week allowed attendees more flexibility in being able to attend the two MTS events, especially those having to travel long distances to get to Winnipeg. Participants came from all areas of the province and like in the past few years, teachers new to the profession took the opportunity to network with their peers, Society staff and began forging new professional contacts. Meanwhile, a day later, thousands of teachers attended SAGE Day conferences and workshops from demonstrations of giant bubble-making to robotics to strategies for use inside and outside the classroom. At the FAB 5 conference, keynote speaker Mark Essay generated high enthusiasm during the opening evening session with humorous anecdotes that revealed tried and true strategies for reaching students. The next morning, teachers chose three different breakout sessions, and in the afternoon learned about six different internet- based professional development sites and applications of technology in the classroom. This is my second time attending a Fab 5 conference and I’ve really enjoyed it. One of my favorite parts is how accessible a lot of the strategies are, and how easy it would be to take these back to our own classrooms. I would definitely recommend that teachers attend something like this— it’s a great opportunity to network and make connections with teachers who are going through the same thing, as well as experienced teachers who have lots of knowledge. Bailey Englot, teacher, Samuel Burland school

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 13 RURAL EDUCATION 20th Na�onal Congress on Rural Educa�on in Canada March 29‐31, 2015 TCU Place, Saskatoon, SK Celebrating Rural Schools: Looking Back and Looking Forward

The CAEL Assessment CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

is available at Heartland Presenta�on Proposals are International English now being accepted School in Winnipeg. Deadline is January 13, 2015 Check our website Featuring Keynote Presenta�on by JOE CLARK for details. Sask. Educa�onal Leadership Unit (SELU) College of Educa�on, Univ. of Sask. (306) 966‐7634 or [email protected] cael.ca Presenta�on Proposal Applica�on available at h�p://www.usask.ca/educa�on/ruraled

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14 THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 STOPPING

BY DONALD BENHAMDROPOUTS

In 1974 Dauphin, dropping out was cool.

So cool, that one in five Grade 11 students They were all part of a giant social did not return to Grade 12. experiment, the most extensive of five Then something strange happened to that took place across North America, to every one of the 10,000 people living there. guarantee an annual income to everyone Women would have babies, but they in town. wouldn’t return to work. They took a Under the Manitoba Minimum Income maternity leave, even though no one at the program—Mincome for short—those on time had ever heard of such a thing. welfare received the same amount as they Doctors in the Dauphin hospital started would anywhere in Manitoba—about seeing far fewer cases of mental illness, and $3,800 at the time. accidents and injuries. But they didn’t have to report to social The dropout rate dropped, in one year, workers and they could get a job and keep to zero. more of their income. The next year, it dropped below zero. Those with a middle-income job, such as What happened to the people of a chartered accountant, were part of the Dauphin? How did such a significant program, but noticed no difference as they change in behaviour and outcomes occur paid their normal taxes and received no in just one year? additional benefits.

DAUPHIN Hospitalizations COMPARISON GROUP 1974

1978

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 15 The people who really benefited were always use the shower down the hall because the working poor, who received income it didn’t always work. He wore all his clothes supplements on a sliding scale. all the time, because the one time he left Several of the families told their stories some in his room, they were stolen. to Winnipeg Free Press columnist Lindor As a result, Big Bill struggled with Reynolds in 2009. hygiene and other issues. But he still came Hugh Henderson was a school janitor to help others at Winnipeg Harvest who while his wife Doreen stayed at home with were even less fortunate than he was. their two children. One day, everyone at Winnipeg Harvest Mincome allowed them to buy some new saw a new Big Bill walk in. He was clean. clothes for their kids. He wore a new set of clothes and a new Doreen says Mincome should be brought sense of self-esteem. What had changed? back for seniors and young families. Big Bill had turned 65. He received Old “Give them enough money to raise their Age Security and the Guaranteed Income kids. People work hard and it's still not Supplement. Suddenly, the society that had enough,” she told Reynolds. “This isn't treated him so badly began to respect him welfare. This is making sure kids have and his income needs as a citizen. He got One day, everyone enough to eat.” access to decent housing and he could afford Amy Richardson ran the Dauphin Beauty to buy groceries to cook in his own kitchen. at Winnipeg Parlour out of her home, supporting their David Northcott told Big Bill’s story to a family of six children after her husband Senate committee. “This proves that, when retired early due to a health problem. we want, we have the capacity to design Harvest saw a new The Richardsons used the extra money and deliver a system that works and values on things like school books. the citizen. Why can’t we do the same every Big Bill walk in. “Everybody was the same so there was no day, for every Canadian?” Northcott asked. shame,” Richardson told the Free Press. In their 2010 report, In from the Margins, Reynolds concluded: “Mincome did the committee, co-chaired by senators Art He wore a new more than top up the income of the poor. Eggleton and Hugh Segal, recommended It gave them dignity. Surely that's an idea the federal government study and report set of clothes worth investing in.” on a guaranteed annual income, based on In the second-floor boardroom of Winnipeg the Dauphin experiment and another in and a new sense Harvest hang black-and-white portraits Nova Scotia. of volunteers. David Northcott, executive The Dauphin experiment came about director of the food distribution and training through an alignment of the political of self-esteem. centre, likes to point out the man with the stars. Both the federal government of then- long hair and long, black beard. prime minister Pierre Trudeau and the Big Bill had lived life on the road, jumping Manitoba government of then-premier Ed freight trains to get from town to town. Bill Schreyer wanted to test the concept. The settled in Winnipeg and was a long-time two governments spent $17 million over client and volunteer at Winnipeg Harvest. four years. He lived in a downtown hotel. He couldn’t But when new governments were elected, Grade 12 Enrolment As % Previous Year Grade 11 Enrolment

DAUPHIN WINNIPEG NON-WINNIPEG

1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 Everybody was the same so there was no shame. Amy Richardson

FURTHER READING Dauphin’s great experiment: Mincome, the experiment was halted and the results rates for mental illness, and accidents and nearly forgotten child of the ‘70s, was a not analyzed. Reams of paper filled more injuries, in all rural Manitoba hospitals. noble experiment than 1,800 boxes at a federal archives site Then she plotted Dauphin’s hospitalization , by Lindor Reynolds, Winnipeg Free Press in Winnipeg. rates in the same two categories. , December 3, 2009 Enter Evelyn Forget. The professor in the The resulting graph was dramatic. As the www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ ’s Faculty of Medicine experiment starts in 1974, Dauphin has dauphins-great-experiment.html studies the economics of health care: How significantly higher hospitalization rates The Town with No Poverty: What happens to use money more effectively in Canada’s in both categories. But those rates start to when you give an entire town a guaranteed publicly-financed health care system. decline as soon as the experiment begins. annual income? PowerPoint presentation Forget rescued the boxes just before they They continue a sharp decline throughout by Evelyn Forget, August 2012 went to the shredder. She also used other the four years, eventually falling more www.winnipegharvest.org/wp-content/ statistical databases to highlight changes than eight per cent below average. Shortly uploads/2012/08/Presentation-by-Evelyn- in Dauphin before, during and after the after the experiment ends, the lines move Forget-on-Guaranteed-Annual-Income.ppt experimental period and to compare up again, quickly reaching the average, but Dauphin with other parts of Manitoba. interestingly, not returning to above-average. First, the very small amount of research When Forget first unveiled her results, work that survives from the period had one of the doctors in the audience was already busted the myth that giving people Joel Kettner, then Manitoba’s chief public money would lead them to quit their jobs. health officer. Not one primary wage-earner in Dauphin “Evelyn, how much money would we quit his or her job during the period. save with a guaranteed annual income?” This isn't welfare. Second, as mentioned above, the women Kettner asked. of Dauphin invented maternity leaves a “Joel, I’ll get that number for you. But This is making decade or so before everyone else caught on. with what I know so far, I will stake my One of Forget’s graphs reflects the professional reputation on saying we historic pattern before 1974 of only 80 would save money overall by providing a sure kids have per cent of Grade 11 students returning to guaranteed annual income, just with what Grade 12. Many had already given up on we would save on hospitalization costs,” enough to eat. the goal of post-secondary education and Forget replied. made an economic decision to start into And the dropout rate? The year after the the workforce. Dauphin experiment ended, the dropout Doreen Henderson In the first year of the experiment, that rate jumped back to 20 per cent and stayed social paradigm reversed itself. Grade 12 there. enrolment jumped to 100 per cent. Politicians and bureaucrats often say The next year, the figure climbed to 110 per they like to make their decisions based on cent. The only possible explanation, Forget evidence. says, is that dropouts from previous years The best evidence, from the most were returning to complete their education. extensive experiment, shows every child in For the following two years of the Canada could graduate from high school, experiment, the return rate remained at if every family in Canada had a guaranteed close to 100 per cent. annual income. As important as all that was, Forget discovered an even more significant result Donald Benham is director of hunger and in health care. poverty awareness at Winnipeg Harvest. She plotted the average hospitalization

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 17 Linwood School Little Free Library

ake a book and “…a gathering place where neighbors share leave a book’ their favorite literature and stories.” is the premise It’s this notion that first attracted Charlene behind‘T Little Free Libraries—a Roziere to the idea of a Little Free Library, and literary movement that has prompted her to build one not just at her home, gained popularity across North but also at Linwood School, which her two America, and is popping up children attend. across the province, including two “We first saw a story in the news about a Little Winnipeg schools. Free Library in Calgary. We’re a family of readers A Little Free Library is just so we thought this was the best thing ever,” says that—a small structure or box full of Roziere whose family put up a Little Free Library books where anyone may stop by and in the front yard of their St.James home in June pick up a book, or drop off another of 2012—the first one in Winnipeg. “I looked book to share. According to the Little around and there weren’t any here at the time, Free Library national organization and I thought we could do that!” (http://littlefreelibrary.org), it’s not just The response from Roziere’s neighbourhood about providing free books on a shelf—it’s the was wonderful. “It’s been such a great personal touch and understanding that real experience—we’ve met tons of neighbors we people are sharing their favorite books with the didn’t know, and the ones we did know, we got community. “They’re not just any old books, to know better,” says Roziere, adding that their but a carefully curated collection.”, says the site. library has also been visited by people from

The days of school libraries filled with the library community felt as if someone dusty books and shushing old-school has taken their eyes off the ball,” says librarians defending the canon of literature Anderson. “Research has shown that are long gone. But though school libraries strong library programs in schools have evolved to keep up with the digital age, increase student literacy rates; produce they’re also struggling to stay relevant— students with greater critical thinking trying to weather cuts to funding, staffing skills and results in higher rates of student and most recently the closure of the success. How can we then look at cutting Pembina Trails Media Center. programming that has a direct impact on The long running Media Center which has, the success of student learning?” since 2002, offered audio-visual resources, Recently MSLA has submitted a proposal northern parts of the province. classroom kits, print and video material to Manitoba Education that the province “Right now some can afford it and to all of the grades in the school division should support digital resources for all some can’t,” says Anderson. “It’s all about is winding down its operations this year. students in Manitoba. While some divisions allocating the money and all about priorities; It’s a move that former MSLA (Manitoba have access to resources such as EBSCO some divisions don’t even really know what School Libraries Association) president Jeff (an online research database), others don’t is available to them. We’re looking at this Anderson calls ‘disappointing.’ have the licenses or monies to pursue such universally—a universal library card if you “When I heard that decision, all of us in resources, especially schools in the rural and will, where every student in Manitoba has

18 THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 BY MATEA TUHTAR other neighbourhoods and from as far away as library an official charter sign, a serial number New Zealand. and GPS coordinates which it then lists on a When Linwood School was celebrating its map on their site. Books can be obtained by 100th year anniversary, Roziere approached donation from parents, students and the school the anniversary committee with the idea of library. The Winnipeg Public Library has also building a Little Free Library for the school. supported the project by letting the schools get “Our kids are the 4th generation to go here, first pick of its ‘discard’ books. we have a long history here, so we thought it “Once we set it up parents were stopping by, would be a neat idea,” says Roziere who built dropping off books. Once it is set up it really the library with her husband and donated the takes care of itself,” says Leochko, who monitors materials. “The school administration has been the books periodically and makes sure that there very supportive and it’s been a huge success.” École Robert H. Smith Little Free Library are enough available for all ages. “The books can “It is delightful to see our students stop to take be fiction or non-fiction, or even magazines. a book on their way home from school, says painted their library and a parent volunteer We’re a bit more of an advantaged community so Linwood School Principal Kelsey McDonald. helped to build it. The team also constructed we’re fortunate that kids have a lot of books. This “We also see many strollers with future students two chairs for people to sit and rest while would be a great idea for a neighbourhood where using the library—it’s a lovely way for new perusing a book. the kids and community may not have access to families to begin connecting with the school What a Little Free Library looks like books. More books go out than come back in.” community.” is up to its creator, and designs and cost That’s kind of the idea, says Roziere who École Robert H. Smith in Winnipeg’s River vary widely—from custom built wooden sees a lot of people using the Linwood library. Heights area also has a Little Free Library in enclosures, libraries built from recycled “Evenings, weekends, they’re always there. We its front yard. It’s a part of a sustainability building materials, old mini fridges, wanted to get books out into the community goal the school has set for itself which cabinets and pieces of furniture, to old and into people’s homes. We also like the idea includes vegetable and butterfly gardens. newspaper vending machines—anything of kids having access to books on the weekends Grade 6 teacher David Leochko set up the goes as long as the library is well protected and evenings when their school library is closed.” library with his after-school ‘Adventure Club’ from the weather and books can be kept safe Neither school has had issues with vandalism or whose students promote environmental and and dry. The structures can be decorated theft. “You can’t steal a free book,” says Roziere. sustainable practices and being outdoors. and painted in any number of ways, and École Robert H. Smith has had only “We want to move beyond just the recycling both École Robert H. Smith and Linwood positive feedback as well. “It gives the part and understand that sustainability is also chose a Dr. Seuss theme for their libraries. whole community a little bit of pride,” giving back to the community—not just the Once built the library can be registered with says Leochko. “It promotes literacy and environment,” says Leochko. the LFL national organization with a one togetherness, and really sends a good The Adventure Club students designed and time payment of $34.95 which provides each message to the community from the school.”

access to the same learning resources. technicians and they’re often called upon our technology has become online.” Equality of access must be front and centre to perform tasks beyond the scope of Fransen says the media center was when we talk about digital resources.” their training,” he says, adding that a lot of accessed less and less by classroom MSLA members met regularly in the teacher librarian jobs have also been cut teachers, though he does not know the exact Pembina Trails Media Center to talk, and down to half-time or less. “It’s these staffing numbers, and points out that all the schools work on submissions such as this one—a decisions that we, as teacher librarians, in the division still have teacher librarians. move that Anderson calls ‘our biggest thrust think are not beneficial to student learning. “The nature of the library will change, our on the political stage.’ The Superintendent of Pembina Trails libraries will change. There will continue to “We’re losing a major player in our Ted Fransen says that the decision to wind be a need for teacher librarians but their role community and this scares me because up the Media Center was two-fold. “It’s a will change—in many cases it already has.” what is the forward thinking? This is the convergence of the desire on the part of the Anderson says that teacher librarians big question. What message is going out board to ensure that we’re putting as many nowadays are “movers and shakers” to other divisions? Do they not see a role of our resources into the classroom. So after when it comes to new technology, and it for school libraries and teacher librarians we examined our expenditures across the shouldn’t fall on classroom teachers to go specifically? Is the library not the heartbeat division some decisions were made, and one and review hundreds of websites to find of the school? of them is the closure of the media center. the best information. The closure of the center is “just another The second part of the decision says According to Anderson, reading is a death by a thousand cuts” says Anderson. Fransen, is that education is changing. magical experience. “That experience has “It’s a lot more than just the media center, “Where it used to be quite common for to be created, it has to be fostered and the because it represented a vision. Teacher something like the media center to provide environment has to be there to inspire and librarians retire and are replaced by library films, cd’s, and books to teachers, most of invite kids in.”

THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 19 E AG ER OV C NG DI ED W ST BE

A textbook publisher in Thailand recalled 3,000 math texts after it was discovered the math teacher on the cover was actually an Asian porn star. Looking for some art, the Googling cover designer happened upon a picture of a woman in a suit that looked like a teacher and used that. It was actually a screen shot of Mana Aoiki from her quasi-educational movie Costume Play Working Girl. Apparently the film does not delve much into the intricacies of Pythagorean Theorem. The country’s education commission has since banned the use of random Google search results. IDIOT GAME SHOWS FOR $200, ALEX Can’t believe us, sources say The TV show Jeopardy!, which first appeared in Ah, CBC. The media, and some high-profile 1964, appears to be recycling They were figures didn’t. In the immediate wake of material from the way-back the worst of the firing, his bizarro Facebook post and machine. In a recent episode times, they were the accusations by four women that they it carried a category called: the cursed of times. were assaulted or harassed by him, he was Really, has anyone had a actually riding a hefty wave of support. WHAT WOMEN worse year? An analysis of social media response, WANT It lost hockey, the government cut its done by journalist Shannon Gormley allocation, it had to lay off hundreds of showed that 78 per cent of commenters Turns out, according to employees, a couple of its main news adored or believed Ghomeshi compared their question-answers, it’s personalities were criticized for taking with 10 per cent who believed his accusers. not equal pay or freedom speaking fees from groups linked to Well, that was just some Internet cruisers, from harassment; it’s a ongoing news stories and then there was the deep thinkers in the public realm, like vacuum cleaner, quiet time that name that stuck to everyone’s shoe— the news media, would have a different view. to do a crossword puzzle Jian Ghomeshi. Ha. and a pair of well- It started as a pebble rolling downhill at Green Party Leader Elizabeth May fitting jeans. Oh, the end of October. On the day word came immediately voiced her support, activist the average age of out that CBC would be cutting almost (and frequent panelist on Q) Judy Rebbick Jeopardy! viewers is 1,000 more jobs over the next two years, voiced agreement that Ghomeshi was an 64. The average age the media focus was on a single CBC amazing talent and Sheila Copps, a former of those who come employee getting the boot. deputy prime minister, expressed dismay up with the questions, News of the impending layoffs was a grain that the host was fired. while knitting socks of sand submerged by the tsunami of words And in much of the media we took a for their cats, must generated by the firing of the radio host. Far balloon ride into the clouds of hypocrisy. be somewhat more people tuned into the latest Ghomeshi Clutching their pearls in disbelief, many older. stories than ever listened to his show, Q. His columnists were aghast that people were audience had never been greater. criticizing Ghomeshi based on accusations The sordid tale, of course, offered a by four unnamed women. Where’s the smorgasbord of raw meat for the media evidence?, they asked. Nobody knows and audience: sex, violence (pretend and/or what happened, they cried. otherwise), an absurd $55 million lawsuit, Robyn Urback, writing in the National a charismatic (to some) figure and the Post, said no one can take sides, not downtrodden CBC. The other story was knowing whether the former host is “the just about some 800 nobodies scheduled target of malicious anonymous attacks.” to be fired without an accompanying sex Christie Blatchford of the National Post scandal. Who cares? said Ghomeshi was just “another man E AG ER OV C Jezebel.com tracked NG down the best headlines DI That clears ED on the 40 billion or so stories W about the marriage of actor George Clooney ST BE and international lawyer Amal Alamuddin. that up Business Woman Media headlined its story: “Internationally acclaimed barrister Amal Alamuddin marries an actor.” Slate.com offered up this correction to a Next best, from i100: “World famous human rights previous post: “This post originally quoted lawyer marries star of Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over.” photographer Tom Sanders as saying it Both stories list the numerous accomplishments takes him five years to get on the dance of Alamuddin—multilingual, advisor to former floor. It takes him five beers.” U.N General Secretary Kofi Annan, high- Meanwhile, The Guardian profile clients, Oxford-educated, worker at the explained in a correction that International Court of Justice etc. etc—and Sir Patrick Stewart is not gay: i100 ends with “Clooney’s other “The third paragraph originally film roles include Grizzly said ‘Some gay people, such as II: The Predator and Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page’s Spy Kids 3-D: coming out speech is newsworthy’. Game Over.” This should have read ‘Some people, such as Sir Patrick Stewart, think Page’s coming out speech is newsworthy’.” Patrick Stewart responded BY GEORGE STEPHENSON in a tweet: Can’t believe us, sources say “But @guardian I have, like, five or even SEVEN vilified by anonymous accusers.” She did Anyway, the Ghomeshi story was not a hetero friends and we totally amend that after the number of accusers he said-she said head scratcher. It was a he drink beer and eat lots of topped eight by calling the continued said-she said and she said and she said and chicken wings!” coverage a “lynching.” she said story. And then there were a whole And: “Well, @guardian it The anonymity of the women was also a big bunch more she saids. makes for a nice change…at deal to many others including the Winnipeg Whether the audience believes the least I didn't wake up to the internet Free Press’s Bartley Kives who suggested no allegations or not, journalists should be telling me I was dead again.” one could support or condemn Ghomeshi the last people claiming that the use of on what had been reported. multiple anonymous sources somehow That was more than a tad odd, considering taints the information in a story. What did at that time Free Press reporter Bruce Owen they think; that all these women somehow Perspective was breaking the story, based on multiple secretly got together to bring down a C-list A recent CNN poll found that 53 anonymous sources, that there was a revolt celebrity? Or is it still the automatic default per cent of Americans are concerned brewing in the NDP government against to fall back on the “jilted lover-woman about terrorist attacks, many of those Premier . Those stories were scorned” cliche? fears no doubt sparked by politicians published, one would think, because the Interestingly some, such as the National and the media. Free Press believed them to be accurate, Post’s Urback, changed their minds after But, as Alternet.org has pointed out, based on the interviews with the sources the number of accusers grew. Apparently they should fear dogs more. and the trust in their reporter. I hope they you can believe nine women over one man, More Americans were killed by dog weren’t too shocked that it turned out to but not four. bites last year than terrorist attacks be true. Now that the Ghomeshi firestorm is little in the United States. Indeed, more Every day the media tosses out claims more than a smouldering pile, maybe the Americans are killed every day by gun and complaints by anonymous sources pundits and reporters can take a look at the violence than all the terrorist acts last and expects … what? Is the audience real issues facing CBC and show the same year combined. supposed to dismiss them out of hand? Or concern for the next 800 people who will For the record, eight people were put some credence in them because the be fired. killed last year in the United States by media are trustworthy? Kives himself has There are lots of talented people at the a terrorist act and another 16 outside quoted unnamed sources. Does that mean corporation, some of whom could replace the country. More than 4,000 were that work was meaningless? Strangely, the a Jian Ghomeshi. It’s just sad that much of killed in workplace Free Press even runs anonymous Twitter that talent will be elsewhere over the next accidents and comments on its editorial page. They must couple of years. more than think they provide some useful function They are far more important 35,000 in even when they don’t even know who is than Jian Ghomeshi car accidents. sending them. ever was. And before we begin the War on Dogs, well, only 32 Americans were killed by them. BY RAMAN JOB, PUBLIC RELATIONS FACILITATOR

Sisler Girls Share Spotlight at Facebook “We’ve had family and friends who’ve suffered silently,” says Zabar. “It’s not given enough attention at workplaces and schools,” says Pazdor. “We want to be able to give them the help that they need.” “We also want to reduce the stigma around mental health issues,” adds Gill. Leduc, who is department head of business and tech at Sisler, is understandably proud of his students sharing the spotlight with kids from Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa—and their national award from the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. But the spotlight has been on his students for a while now. Disney animator Trent Correy, who’s worked on Wreck It Ralph, Frozen and Big Hero Six, recently held a video conference with Leduc’s students. Just eight years ago, Correy was sitting in Leduc’s class. The fact that his students spend every school day from 9:00–11:45 a.m. in room 57 gives them a leg-up on others It was a pretty heady trip for Sisler High School teacher who want to pursue careers in digital media. Daniel Cochon, Jamie Leduc, his colleague Laurel Epp-Koop and four of his Ethan Fernandez and Moises Lucero already have paying gigs Digital Voices students. The girls were invited to present at developing websites for non-profit organizations. Facebook headquarters in Toronto during a live-stream of the “Mr. Leduc gives us the freedom to work on our own. His MediaSmarts-Canadian Teachers’ Federation Media Literacy teaching is clear and straightforward and he’s very organized,” Week 2014 event. says Fernandez. Freedom indeed, the atmosphere in spacious There’s no doubt they earned it. classroom is quiet, relaxed and purposeful with Leduc Samantha-Maria Figueroa, Simarjeet Gill, Jennifer Pazdor nudging students through next steps in their mobile app and Stephanie Zabar spent the better part of a year planning, development projects. developing and coding both a web-based and an iOS augmented “My biggest goal is to help kids become engaged and find reality app along with a website called Save Our Minds. their passion,” he says, “and they do. The Toronto launch? The Figueroa’s in another class when I visit. But the other team girls did excellent work not only on the development of their members say they’ve witnessed issues with depression, body image apps, but they gave the best presentation at that event hands and schizophrenia among people who are very close to them. down—they crushed it.”

Apps to check Rhonna Designs—You already know about Quipio, Phonto of your brilliant fall shots and attach Milo Greene’s single and Over for adding text to pics. But give the incredibly Autumn Tree. Upload your puppy in his space collar and pin versatile and elegant Rhonna a whirl and see where your muse Bowie’s Space Oddity to it. You get the idea. takes you. Fitbit Wristbands—Lost or broke your Flex wristband? Quick—Over’s younger cousin lets you do simple, clean text Tired of the colour you picked? No need to order online. You on pictures with minimum of hassle. can buy a set of three replacement bands in black, green and PicFlow—Create simple slide decks that advance to audio red for around $30 at Chapters Polo Festival. tracks of your favourite tunes, then post to your social platforms. Speedtest—What is WRONG with your wi-fi anyway? Tunepics—“Your new social media addiction,” says the UK Speedtest won’t fix it for you. But it will tell you the upload edition of GQ. Tunepics acts much like Instagram. The twist and download speeds for whichever wi-fi signal you’re blessed is that you can add iTunes previews to your images. Post one or cursed with at the moment.

22 THE MANITOBA TEACHER DECEMBER 2014 Thank you teachers for helping shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Greg James Erin Stan Kerri Sharon Selinger Allum Selby Struthers Irvin-Ross Blady MLA for St. Boniface MLA for Fort MLA for Southdale MLA for Dauphin MLA for Fort Richmond MLA for Kirkfield Park Garry-Riverview 204-253-3918 204-622-7630 204-475-9433 204-832-2318 204-237-9247 204-475-2270 ErinSelby.ca StanStruthers.ca KerriIrvinRoss.ca SharonBlady.ca GregSelinger.ca JamesAllum.ca

Gord Drew Jim Ron Theresa Peter Mackintosh Caldwell Rondeau Lemieux Oswald Bjornson MLA for St. Johns MLA for Brandon East MLA for Assiniboia MLA for Dawson Trail MLA for Seine River MLA for Gimli 204-582-1550 204-727-8734 204-888-7722 204-878-4644 204-255-7840 204-642-4977 GordMackintosh.ca DrewCaldwell.ca JimRondeau.mb.ca Ron-Lemieux.ca TheresaOswald.ca 1-866-253-0255 PeterBjornson.ca

Nancy Erna Ron Jennifer Greg Eric Allan Braun Kostyshyn Howard Dewar Robinson MLA for St. Vital MLA for Rossmere MLA for Swan River MLA for Fort Rouge MLA for Selkirk MLA for Kewatinook 204-237-8771 204-667-7244 204-734-4900 204-946-0272 204-482-7066 204-943-2274 NancyAllan.ca ErnaBraun.ca RonKostyshyn.ca JenniferHoward.ca 1-855-695-1361 Eric-Robinson.ca GregDewar.ca

Andrew Dave Dave Deanne Clarence Matt Swan Chomiak Gaudreau Crothers Pettersen Wiebe MLA for Minto MLA for Kildonan MLA for St. Norbert MLA for St. James MLA for Flin Flon MLA for Concordia 204-783-9860 204-334-5060 204-261-1794 204-415-0883 204-687-3367 204-654-1857 AndrewSwan.ca DaveChomiak.ca DaveGaudreau.ca DeanneCrothers.ca ClarencePettersen.ca MattWiebe.ca