Letters, May 2

Election prediction

As civic election speculation has started, there are candidates such as Mayor Scott Gillingham being forthright about their intentions to run for mayor (same said about two minor candidates from the 2022 campaign).

Other prospective candidates are “thinking about running.” And then there’s the comment from Coun. Brian Mayes who, when asked, indicated that he is “mulling his future.”

It appears Mayes has been doing more than that. For the past number of months in Free Press articles, Mayes has been commenting on city hall issue after city hall issue — definitely getting his name out there.

My prediction is that Mayes will take the next step and be on the October ballot.

Walt Roberts

Winnipeg

Terrible situation

Re: ‘It’s really awful’ (April 30)

I was truly aghast to read about seniors fearing for their safety, in what are supposed to be secure buildings, specifically for 55-plus tenants. It is mind-blowing that Winnipeg Housing and Rehabilitation Corporation ignores the age factor, and puts people who are not 55 or older, with addictions and mental health issues, into these buildings causing no end of problems. Executive director James Heinrichs says he “feels for these tenants.”

Well, James, you are the executive director, so do something about this situation! These people should not have to live in fear in their own homes. Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith was unavailable for comment for this article, but I would really love to hear her spin on this situation.

Nancy Curtain

Winnipeg

I am appalled and disgusted with the agencies involved in housing the homeless. The fact that the homeless with addictions and mental health issues are placed in a seniors apartment complex is a gross injustice to those seniors, some with physical disabilities and health issues related to aging.

As seniors they need to feel safe and comfortable in their homes. Living with daily disruptions such as being vandalized, ongoing drug use, and feeling threatened when they step outside their doors is no way to live.

City councillors and the agencies involved need to stop praising themselves of their efforts and consider the ramifications of their actions. The seniors deserve better.

George Morawski

Winnipeg

Educational outline

Re: University training spots for teachers in demand (April 27)

Maggie Macintosh outlines that universities are being flooded with applications now that it is easier to become a certified teacher in Manitoba. An increase in people wishing to enter a career dedicated to the educational and social development of young people is admirable and encouraging, as schools struggle to fill term and permanent positions as well as find substitutes daily. The fact that the increase in applicants comes at a time when the department loosened the criteria for certification by no longer requiring major and minor specialization is likely not coincidental.

As this change is implemented, I would urge universities and those responsible for the delivery of teacher training programs to consider a change to the practicum component of their degree requirements. Two five-week teaching blocks (exact duration varies across Manitoba institutions) are simply inadequate. When one considers that the classroom co-operating/mentor teacher may finish a topic at the start of the teaching block and the teacher candidate will likely finish a topic a day or two prior to the end of it, and the possibility of holidays or professional days coinciding with the block, the actual number of practicum days is less than published. For a profession grounded in relationships that are fostered over time with consistent feedback, the current model falls short of giving teacher candidates the best possible student teaching experience.

A revamp of the practicum component of teacher certification to include a half or full year in a school with a master teacher devoted to their development and growth would be valuable. This apprenticeship-style model would give our incoming educators a chance to fully immerse themselves in a school, their classroom, clubs, extra-curricular activities and begin, in a supported environment, to develop the resilience to remain in the profession long-term. Practicum internships lasting four months long exist at other Western Canadian schools. So, as these other changes are made, one can hope that those in positions of educational leadership at our post-secondary institutions extend the changes to include the expansion of the time our future teachers spend practicing their skills.

As someone who has over three decades of experience as a classroom teacher and having worked with many teacher candidates and new teachers, I have found that an overwhelming majority of them have expressed sentiments that they wished their practicum could have been much longer in duration and experience.

As valuable as is the pedagogical component, it is in the classroom where the teaching craft is honed, where classroom management strategies are tested, where lessons are practiced and where future teachers learn the most.

Dean Favoni

Winnipeg

Helping Siloam

Re: Siloam Mission staff brace for layoffs (April 30)

Clearly, Siloam Mission has some internal matters which need to be sorted out and addressed as soon as possible. Also, clearly, the provincial government needs to step up and do what has to be done, financially and otherwise, to ensure that Siloam Mission remains a viable entity able to keep doing what it has been doing.

I say the first thing in response to the recent reports in the media about all the apparent internal turmoil and unhappiness which is obviously not conducive to being a well functioning and effective organization. I say the second because I have volunteered a bit at Siloam Mission, and as far as I can tell, they do very important work in terms of providing essential support and services to people who need it the most.

So, I strongly urge the provincial government to do what it has do to ensure that Siloam Mission remains a going concern. It’s not that it’s too big to fail, it’s that it is too important to fail.

Gerald Farthing

Winnipeg

Good gardening

Re: All you need to know to grow species of our iconic national tree (April 25)

I really appreciate the gardening content that Colleen Zacharias contributes to the Free Press. As we head into spring, my thoughts have turned to enhancing my own small yard with beautiful and useful plants.

One of the factors that is very important to me is to avoid any invasive plants. Anybody who has fought the ever-losing battle with creeping charlie or creeping bellflower can attest to the amount of effort it is to manage invasive plants when they get a foothold! I was really surprised, then, to see the latest column recommending both the Amur maple variety (invasive in southern Ontario, and may become an issue in Manitoba as climate change causes growing zone creep) and the Norway maple (currently listed as invasive by the Manitoba Master Gardener Association).

This may be a small thing, but it also highlights the gap that exists in sharing this information, as the provincial invasive species list is focused on agriculture. Urban gardens are a critical part of our ecosystem and biodiversity, and we all have a part to play in helping prevent the spread of invasive species!

Teresa Prokopanko

Winnipeg