The best professional learning arises from a true need. This fall, nine Fort La Bosse teachers came together to apply for a Manitoba Teachers’ Society collaborative learning team grant. We were eager to learn more about Indigenous education, culture, and history, with the goal of increasing our knowledge and comfort level. Although enhancing classroom practice was the ultimate goal, we felt that real change would be difficult without a deeper understanding of the issues.

We decided that the best way to accomplish this was through reading and discussing Indigenous literature in a facilitated book club format. With the generous support of MTS and facilitator Bryanne DeRoo, the following teachers met four times: Brenda Masson, Cheryl Klassen, Debbie Leslie, Lisa Pearn, Julie Hole, Julie Sabourin, Tricia Hayward, Karyn Penner, and Devon Caldwell. We read one book together, The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew, and then made individual book choices to explore a number of Indigenous authors such as David A. Robertson, Jesse Thistle, and Richard Wagamese. We also participated in a powerful session on Indigenous language, stories, and the path to reconciliation with MTS staff officer Sarah Gazan.

We’re excited to share what we read and what our biggest takeaways are in this brand-new episode of Teach like a Bosse. We also plan to continue learning together as a book club next year. If this sounds like your kind of professional learning opportunity, please reach out to any of this year’s members and let us know.

Thanks for tuning in!

Mental health is always an important topic, and as this pandemic continues to drag on, it’s really coming to the forefront. Fortunately, we have great mental health supports right in Fort La Bosse. In this episode of Teach like a Bosse, Devon spends some time chatting with our new school counsellor, Courtney Bertrand. In this 30 minute episode, Courtney shares information on three important topics:

1) How educators can support students and families during this difficult time

2) Strategies and resources that educators can access to care for themselves

3) Her own self-care practices that maintain her mental health and overall wellness

Join us as we explore mental health in schools during a pandemic.

Online learning platforms and portfolio tools have come to the forefront in the last twelve months. Often considered the domain of early years teachers and students, Seesaw is a powerful (and free) classroom platform that fosters communication, sharing, reflection, and feedback. This episode is NOT just for Kindergarten-Grade 4 teachers--Seesaw ambassador Laura Hey walks us through how she uses Seesaw in her Grade 3 classroom, the opportunities to integrate it with Google Classroom, and why this tool truly stands out. 

Seesaw Information, Resources, and Professional Learning Communities https://web.seesaw.me/

Teaching with Neons Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/teachingwithneons

Join Mike Thiessen as he chats with Debbie Leslie and Jenn Anderson about how they use technology to support students with diverse needs. They share their favourite tools and apps to enhance academic and social skills, fine motor development, accessibility, and self-regulation. Jenn and Debbie also discuss the successes and challenges they've experienced and pitfalls to avoid with assistive technology. 

Tawnis McLeod is well-known in Fort La Bosse School Division as a passionate reader, lover of books, and expert librarian. Tune in as Julie Hole and Julie Sabourin chat with Tawnis and discuss Elkhorn School's extensive library collection. Listen right until the end as all three share book recommendations to help you discover your holiday read! 

In this collaborative first anniversary episode, Mark Keown and Devon Caldwell are joined by Michelle Lam and Dr. Jackie Kirk, co-hosts of BU CARES Research Connection podcast. As you listen, you'll learn more about how to get started with podcasting and recommended tools/software/apps. All four hosts share the lessons they've learned about podcasting, favourite episodes they've recorded, and the podcasts they love to listen to. Tune in to discover how to teach like a bosse with podcasts! 

Check out the BU CARES (Brandon University Centre for Aboriginal and Rural Education Studies) podcast, Research Connection--you can find it on all major podcast platforms.