Flin Flon teachers had a chance to take part in local specialized training earlier this month.
Educators across Manitoba took part in Special Area Groups of Educators (SAGE) training, held on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 at several locations throughout Manitoba. While students got those days off, educators did not. Instead, they got a chance to learn new skills and take part in special training.
Historically, many northern teachers have left their communities for training elsewhere during SAGE, particularly in Winnipeg. This year, Flin Flon School Division (FFSD) superintendent Constance McLeese said fewer Flin Flon teachers and school workers headed away.
“There are two ways that SAGE is done and for those who stay at home, those were the workshops that they were participating in. They were organized by the local Manitoba schools here,” said Constance McLeese, FFSD superintendent.
Training for those who stayed in Flin Flon included a wellness group and workshops on 21st century writing, individual accommodation plan (IAP) writing and developing strategies for special needs students.
“They were quite busy for those two days,” said McLeese.
McLeese, who said she typically stays in Flin Flon for SAGE, said she had “heard some really good reports” about the workshops, but didn’t get to take part herself. She headed to Winnipeg along with two dozen other FFSD staff to take part in other specialized training sessions.
“I like to stay at home and see what they’re doing here because they do some pretty cool stuff,” she said, adding that around 70 FFSD teachers or school staff members took part in Flin Flon-based training.
McLeese said teachers from other school divisions, including Frontier School Division, were invited for training.
“Typically, we do have people come up and we have cost recovery. Most of the workshops we had done were at no expense because it was either in-house talent doing it, or MTS also provides their expertise free of charge when they come up for workshops,” she said.
