I have served as a member of your Winnipeg Teachers’ Association Executive for the last 2 years and as a council representative prior to that. I have been part of a number of committees in different capacities. It’s been an honor to chair the Political Action Committee, the Group Benefits Committee, and this year the Annual General Meeting Committee. Prior to being part of the Executive, but also including this time, I have worked as a member representative on the group benefits, finance, monitoring, and the Distinguished Service Award committees along with sitting on the bargaining committee this coming bargaining session. Outside of WTA, I also sit on the Ad Hoc committee reviewing and updating our Professional Code of Conduct with MTS. 

Like many teachers, I was not a very engaged member of our Union early in my career. I became an active advocate for W.T.A. members on social media and through protests as Bill 64 was looking to ruin our Public School Divisions. Along with during our last local bargaining coming to a stressful end with Bill 45 and the public school’s amendment act of 2021 threatening teachers. I felt a strong pull towards understanding our Union and a passion erupted to start helping other members. I jumped at each chance I could to learn about our Local and Provincial Union. I started this by joining the Finance and Group Benefits committees and completing the second cohort of M.T.S. Labour School. The Labour School program gives successful applicant members a chance to develop leadership and facilitation skills with the Union. As a participant I examined initiatives that M.T.S. was starting and looked at the working conditions in the labour force. This work gave me many insights into how M.T.S. helps members. I highlights the role the executive and members have to create a workplace where we can be ourselves and succeed as many of the folks in my cohort were local presidents or executive members.

Adding to this learning journey, I have attended the last 2 summer seminars where I gained extensive governance training and invaluable experiences networking with other members around the province. These experiences have given me a sense of what good governance is and how to be fiscally responsible to our members.

Lasty, being on the Executive has given me the opportunity to attend 2 labour law conferences delivered by Lancaster House. These experiences have given me exposure and experience in understanding the inner workings of arbitration and grievances taking places around Canada. Along with the view points of each side of arbitration.

Many of us teachers are experiencing issues in the work place. Things like unrealistic work loads and violence are increasing at an alarming rate. I want to add my voice for change. I want to be able to say how we feel without the same restrictions as an employee. I want to be your voice at the table, working for change in our schools.