Improving education a major task

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/05/2018 (2934 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On April 29, I was privileged to host a panel on the future of primary and secondary education in Manitoba. It was an inspiring afternoon.

We asked leaders in education and learning to give us their point of view.

Our first speaker, Rebecca Chartrand, a longtime Indigenous educator and currently executive director of Indigenous strategy at Red River College, spoke of emergent learning and of injecting Indigenous language, culture and perspective into our education system.

Wendy Bloomfield, an innovative leader, chair of the Seine River School Division and the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, spoke of investing in teachers as teachers adapt more flexibly to the learning styles of individual students. She spoke of evidence based strategies, including alternative reading recovery; of strengthening music, arts and drama to inspire students; of enhancing students’ emotional, cognitive and physical well being; of enhancing early education, including Kids at Play, half-day learning and half-day play.

Leah Ross, a lawyer who’s found her real passion in teaching, emphasized the need for individual attention to help children with learning disabilities so that they can do well.

Ara Dungca, president of Grant Park High School student council in 2012, talked of experiential learning, of continuous feedback and the need to integrate technology to tailor learning to individual students’ needs.

Valérie Rémillard, the president of the Éducatrices et éducateurs francophones du Manitoba and representing the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, spoke of the need to address the shortage of French immersion and French teachers. The demand for these programs is increasing, and the benefits in our global world of a second language and broader cultural understanding are large. She also spoke of the importance of professional development for teachers.

Thanks to all our presenters and to the many in our audience who added comments and suggestions.

We’re in an exciting time for learning. We have a big task ahead of us to be sure all Manitobans have the opportunity to learn and achieve their potential. We thank our teachers because they have such an important role in education and learning. If you have comments or questions please email me at jon.gerrard@leg.gov.mb.ca