Frontier Teachers Association (FTA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary to coincide with that of the Frontier School Division.
FTA is the union that represents the approximately 575 teachers within Frontier School Division, which encompasses most of northern Manitoba, including Cranberry Portage.
FTA Ad Hoc Committee chairman Bill Taylor said a number of teachers have moved into the northern communities from other provinces, himself included.
Originally from New Brunswick, Taylor worked in Cross Lake for a couple of years before moving to Cranberry Portage.
With a plan to work for a short time, Taylor has put down roots in the community he’s called home for the past 14 years.
“A lot of experienced teachers are looking for a job in the second half of their career and they end up coming here, where the jobs are,” he said.
A number of teachers in the division came from New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador, where teaching jobs are in short supply.
While northern Manitoba may be isolating for some, it isn’t something Taylor has minded.
“The people who don’t like to get outdoors and only stay inside are generally the ones who find it more isolating,” he said. “I never felt that way. You keep busy with teaching and get outside to enjoy the outdoors and it’s good. Getting involved in the community is also important. There are a lot of good people who make you feel at home.”
Taylor said FTA has a positive working relationship with the division. Regular meetings between the groups ensure that things run smoothly.
“We meet to discuss upcoming issues and resolve them before they become problems,” he said. “The meetings allow us to be proactive rather than reactive. It’s a good working relationship.
“Frontier has a good structure, which guides things quite well. We try our best to follow the goals put in front of us and help students toward success.”
To mark the 50th anniversary, each teacher received a commemorative tote bag through a partnership with the FTA and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.
A number of events have or will take place throughout the year, including a thank-you lunch held at Cranberry Portage’s Frontier Collegiate at the beginning of the school year.
The union is also in the discussion stages of setting up a scholarship.
