February 19, 2025

Winter Edition Available Now!

While there’s no formal, overarching theme to this winter issue of the MB Teacher, there is certainly a common thread throughout its pages, and that common thread is joy.

And what better reflection of the joy inherent in teaching than our profile of Indigenous educator Marika Schalla (pg. 14). A language revitalization teacher in the Anishinaabemowin program at Isaac Brock School, she derives her infectious energy from myriad roles that include entrepreneur, masters student and parent—if teaching full time were not enough! Schalla shares how her journey to founding Heartberry Education began out of a need for classroom resources in Ojibwe and morphed into yet one more role, that of children’s book author.

Allyson Fedak, a teacher at École Leila North, offers a powerful testament to the value, necessity and positive impact of affinity spaces for IBPOC members (pg. 8). Beyond defining and articulating the importance of affinity spaces, Fedak relates how the effects of systemic racism and inequitable, unseen labor compound the already exceptional weight placed on teachers today. Affinity spaces, she shares, provide empathetic environments where racialized teachers find respite from microaggressions and systemic tokenism to find community, connection, and a much-needed opportunity to recharge—for themselves and their students.

In a poignant portrait of the meaning of gender identity (pg. 12), Ben Nein, a teacher at the Seven Oaks School Division’s Adult Education Centre, reflects on their own experience with gender identity. Through lessons learned and the process of coming out (again and again and again) Ben refined their quest to create a truly safe and supportive classroom environment for students.

Then there’s Stacey Abramson’s heartwarming and funny story of how she and her Maples Collegiate colleagues became their students’ students, learning the Punjabi folk dance Bhangra for the school’s annual Diwali celebration (pg. 24). The role reversal provided lots of learning and laughter along with an incredible opportunity for students to share not only their culture, but their pride in it.

If that weren’t enough, you’ll find part two of Wayne Davies’ tribute to creativity in the classroom in our Principal of the Thing column (pg. 28). Davies explores the vital role that creativity plays in making school a joyful academic experience for students, resulting in richer, deeper learning.

There is so much joy and beauty in what we do. As understandable as it is to get caught up in the challenges that are so much a part of our education system and the toll those things can and do take, we must never forget why we chose this role (or for some, why it chose us!). The light in a student’s eyes when suddenly something comes together, where you created in your own unique way a connection to a young soul and all their precious potential, is something you never forget, and never tire of seeing.

In the darker days of winter, let’s not forget to sit with those joyful moments and celebrate them. As Marika Schalla says so well, being a teacher “is the best job in the world. Coming in here, seeing these beautiful children, giving them the love and the education they deserve has been life changing for me. I’m so glad I became a teacher.”

Did you know you can receive a paper copy of the MB Teacher, if you prefer it to the digital version? Simply log into MyProfile at mbteach.org and select “Print” in your preferences. Your issue will be delivered directly to your home!

And remember, our top five featured stories are highlighted on our companion webpage MB Teacher Magazine and are shareable with your friends and colleagues through social media and email. If you prefer you can also view and download the MB Teacher Winter 2025 PDF.