The Special Area Groups of Educators (SAGEs) link you to a network of teachers who are passionate about high quality, autonomous professional development in a vast array of specialties.
Teaching is a demanding career; it’s ever-changing and full of diverse experiences—and it’s rewarding too!
Most teachers are aware of the annual October MTS PD Day, but SAGEs offer much more. They provide access to:
- current information and resources related to curriculum and subject areas
- Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning advisory committees
- the development of resolutions for the MTS Annual General Meeting of the Provincial Council
- year-long PD offerings
- opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills, and
- a network of teachers new to the profession, new to a curriculum or subject area or those who interested in incorporating new strategies, resources or concepts into what they are already teaching
MTS President James Bedford noted “The professional learning experiences that organizers of SAGEs help provide to our members, and to educators across the province, are integral in helping teachers—regardless of where they are in their careers—to grow and develop as professionals.”
An investment in one’s professional development through a SAGE gives your teaching practice an informed edge. Involvement in a SAGE places you in a position to exercise your voice as a Manitoba teacher invested in high-quality educational programming.
Get Into PD that Works for You!
The Manitoba Teachers’ Society prides itself on offering a variety of workshops and events that meet the needs of Manitoba teachers. Workshops for 2022-23 focus on building capacity and awareness in three main areas: equity and anti-racism, mental health and self–compassion, and leadership. These workshops are offered at McMaster House in Winnipeg throughout the year. Can’t get there? We’ve got you covered!
If you’re unable to travel to McMaster House or want to arrange a workshop at your school, The Teacher-Led Learning Team (TLLT) is here to help. The TLLT is made up of teachers who are trained to provide half or full-day workshops on topics such as Indigenous Education, building safe spaces, how to have difficult conversations and how to build and maintain collaborative relationships. MTS actively recruits members to become part of the TLLT facilitation team—an exciting opportunity to build your leadership, presentation, and public speaking skills.
For those seeking the Provincial Certificate in School Leadership, there’s an option to participate in the three-credit hour field-led course offered by MTS in partnership with COSL, MASS and MSBA. Students must be enrolled in the Post-Baccalaureate program in Educational Administration at the University of Manitoba or Université de Saint Boniface, or in the Master of Education program at Brandon University.
The Women in Educational Leadership series offers a range of events and sessions developed to bring together teachers who identify as women in formal or informal leadership positions. The four-part virtual Femlightenment series is held on Saturdays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and begins in October. Each session is hosted by MTS staff and invites women from various sectors of education to talk about their experiences. Author and former teacher, Marjorie DeLuca is back to host a six-part writers’ series entitled Leaders Write. Marjorie believes that in writing, not only can we stimulate creative thought, but we can use the writing process to bring clarity and synthesize meaning in our lives. This writing series begins in September and will be run simultaneously at McMaster House and virtually. Finally, the annual Women’s Symposium will be held on March 3 and 4, 2023 at the Victoria Inn and Convention Centre.
If you’re looking for something for your school that you don’t see in the catalogue, contact Professional and French Language Services staff at MTS. We’d love to hear from you.
Information about all the Professional Development sessions, workshops and events can be found on the MTS website under the PD+ tab at mbteach.org.
Click here to find out more about SAGEs or email Lia Gervino, MTS staff officer, at lgervino@mbteach.org.
– Originally published in the Fall 2022 issue of the MB Teacher
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Lia Gervino is a writer for the MB Teacher magazine and a Professional & French Language Services Staff Officer for The Manitoba Teachers’ Society.