It takes a lot of work and planning to put an education conference together; however, with over 1,000 students to take care of on a daily basis, Otter Nelson River School (ONR) and Mikisew School know a thing or two about getting things done.
These two schools, as well as the Cross Lake Education Authority in partnership with MFNERC, recently hosted an education conference in Cross Lake, MB. Educators from all over the region were in attendance to learn, network, share and get ideas to take back to their own classrooms. As well, MFNERC’s videography team was on hand to interview many wonderful Cross Lake teachers for a video on assessment. Overall it was a jam packed two days with many moments of note.
Workshop topics ranged from classroom management strategies to storytelling to how technology can benefit students. Student work was on display as many teachers shared stories and techniques from the front lines. “I rarely give tests at the end of a unit,” stated grade 8 teacher Anthony Keeper. “Instead I’ll have the students do projects and then tell them to mark it themselves…I say ‘if this is your absolute best work then give yourself and A.’ They know if it isn’t, and they’re pretty honest.”
The land-based/outdoor education program is vastly important at ONR and Mikisew. Teacher Sean Canning outlined a project where the students are harvesting sturgeon for release back into the wild. Outdoor ed teacher Kerry Muswagon spoke at length of the importance of learning from the land. “We go outside and name trees, leaves and birds. We teach the students how to trap. But more than that, it’s about respect. Respect for each other and for nature.”
MFNERC would like to thank everyone who helped plan and took part in the Cross Lake regional education conference. We are already looking forward to next year! Ekosi.
Visit our photo gallery for more conference photos (more will be added soon).
