Better Education Starts Today (BEST) Engagement and Advisory Groups
Parent Engagement Task Force
Teachers’ Idea Fund Review Panel
Student Advisory Council
Curriculum Advisory Panel
Education Funding Model Review Team
Minister’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Education
Task Force on Poverty and Education
Indigenous Inclusion Directorate Advisory Council
Attendance Task Force
Parent Engagement Task Force
The province has established a Parent Engagement Task Force to guide public input and provide advice to the government on how to move forward with parent engagement as a key component of education reform in Manitoba.
The Task Force will engage directly with Manitoba parents and caregivers through a series of 15 regional meetings scheduled for later this month and June to understand about the role of school community councils, how parent engagement can be strengthened and the resources they need to be successful. The province is also hosting four telephone town halls and targeted workshops with parent advisory councils, school leaders and social service organizations. Following their engagement with Manitobans, the Task Force will make recommendations to the Minister to inform the work of this priority action going forward.
Access the Parent Engagement Task Force Terms of Reference information
Members
| Scott Johnston (chair) | MLA for Assiniboia |
| Ian Wishart (vice-chair) | MLA for Portage la Prairie |
| Janice Morley-Lecomte (vice-chair) | MLA for Seine River |
| Terry Brown | K to 12 Review Commissioner (Parent Representative) |
| Amanda Gurke | Turtle River/Indigenous Inclusion Directorate Advisory Committee (Parent Representative) |
| Pamela Nowosad-Federowich | Brandon (Parent Representative) |
| Jason Perring | Louis Riel School (Parent Representative) |
| Rachel Smith | Family Advocate Network (Parent Representative) |
| Jodene Baker | Winnipeg (Parent Representative) |
| Mike Babb | Winnipeg (Principal) |
| Susanne Marius | Francophone/French Immersion (Principal) |
| Brent Hauser | Southwest Horizon (Principal) |
| Colin Campbell | Hanover (Assistant Superintendent) |
| Don McCaskill | Frontier (Area Superintendent) |
Status
Established.
Teachers’ Idea Fund Review Panel
The Idea Fund accepts proposals from teachers, school staff and leaders. The Teachers’ Idea Fund Review Panel members will review and approve applications and provide ongoing guidance and implementation support to recipients. Panel members will also be invited to identify other individuals within their field that could also provide mentorship and/or research capacity to the successful applicants.
Members
| Jeff Anderson | Louis Riel School Division |
| Marni Brownell | University of Manitoba |
| Chuck Davidson | Manitoba Chambers of Commerce |
| René Déquier | Division scolaire franco-manitobaine |
| Heather Duncan | Brandon University |
| John Ferris | inVision Edge |
| Paul Ilchena | Manitoba Association of School Business Officials |
| Ryley Larway | River East Transcona School Division Adult Education |
| Glenys MacLeod | Manitoba Education |
| Nora Murdock | Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre |
| Anna Stokke | University of Winnipeg |
Status
Established.
Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council consists of 30 students, aged 14 to 18, with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives from across Manitoba. Council members will provide insights and advice to the Minister of Education regarding current and emerging issues and topics that relate to Manitoba Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. Students will form a network to advance innovation and improvement in Manitoba’s education system.
Members
| Aadvika Mukherjee | Grade 9 student at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute in Winnipeg |
| Aidan Tully | Grade 11 student at St. Paul’s Collegiate in Prairie Rose School Division |
| Allison Beaumont | Grade 9 student at Neepawa Area Collegiate Institute in Beautiful Plains School Division |
| Ashton Kaleta | Grade 12 student at Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School in Mountain View School Division |
| Bijan Salimi | Grade 11 student at Morden Collegiate in Western School Division |
| Breanna Bacala | Grade 12 student at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Pembina Trails School Division |
| Breanna Roussin | Grade 12 student at Balmoral Hall School in Winnipeg |
| Brooklynne Grieger | Grade 10 student at Collège Miles Macdonell Collegiate in River East Transcona School Division |
| Bunny Davis-Holstein | Grade 12 student at Technical Vocational High School in Winnipeg School Division |
| Celena Atchison | Grade 11 student at Seven Oaks Met School in Seven Oaks School Division |
| Christyna Caldwell | Grade 12 student at Hamiota Collegiate in Park West School Division |
| Clark Kernaghan | Grade 12 student at École Kelvin High School in Winnipeg School Division |
| Eric Wang | Grade 10 student at St. John’s-Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg |
| Heavendeep Kaur Nandwal | Grade 12 student at Glenlawn Collegiate in Louis Riel School Division |
| Janik Grenier | Grade 12 student at École régionale Notre-Dame in Division scolaire franco-manitobaine |
| Joshua Nienhuis | Grade 11 student at Springfield Collegiate Institute in Sunrise School Division |
| Kamryn Brown | Grade 12 student at R.D. Parker Collegiate in the School District of Mystery Lake |
| Katherine Dueck | Grade 12 student at Green Valley School in Hanover School Division |
| Kaydon Laurin | Graduate of the Class of 2021 at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate in River East Transcona School Division |
| Lenea Perrin | Grade 9 student at Steinbach Regional Secondary School in Hanover School Division |
| Lily Rich | Grade 11 student at Balmoral Hall School in Winnipeg |
| Namirembe Afatsawo | Grade 10 student at Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute in Kelsey School Division |
| Pearl Janman | Grade 9 student at Dakota Collegiate in Louis Riel School Division |
| Rania Ibrahim | Grade 11 student at University of Winnipeg Collegiate in Winnipeg |
| Rebecca Cheasley | Grade 11 student at Birtle Collegiate Institute in Park West School Division |
| Ryan Malabanan | Grade 11 student at Sisler High School in Winnipeg School Division |
| Skylar MacLean | Grade 10 student at Westwood Collegiate in St. James-Assiniboia School Division |
| Suroor Ajani | Grade 11 student at Erickson Collegiate Institute in Rolling River School Division |
| Tairan He | Grade 11 student at Vincent Massey High School in Brandon School Division |
| Vuk Roca | Grade 11 student at Garden City Collegiate in Seven Oaks School Division |
Status
Established July 2021.
Curriculum Advisory Panel
The Curriculum advisory panel will provide focused input on the curriculum framework at key points within the development cycle. Its members will provide feedback representing diverse perspectives. For the complete terms of reference see the Curriculum Advisory Panel Terms of Reference.
Members
| Karine Metivier | Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) |
| Katherine Abra | Winnipeg School Division |
| Christopher Burns | Hanover School Division |
| Sofia Costantini | Winnipeg School Division |
| Chad Cobbe | Brandon School Division |
| Louise Legal-Perrin | Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) |
| Carole Shankaruk | Mountain View School Division |
| Catherine Hart | The Manitoba Teachers’ Society |
| Eric Sagenes | The Manitoba Teachers’ Society |
| Thomas Falkenberg | University of Manitoba |
| Valdine Bjornson | Reading and Learning Clinic of Manitoba |
| Diedre Desmarais | ACCESS Programs, University of Manitoba |
| Angela Fey | Pembina Trail School Division |
| Janice Hamilton | Manitoba Council for International Cooperation |
| Taiseer Shareif | Independent |
| Michael Hudon | Canadian Parents for French |
| Ashton Kaleta | Minister’s Student Advisory Council |
| Kaydon Laurin | Minister’s Student Advisory Council |
| Namirembe Afatsawo | Minister’s Student Advisory Council |
| Nadia Binda-Moir | River East Transcona School Division |
| Bernard Alibudbud | Sisler High School |
| Rebecca Chartrand | Indspire |
| Bob Grant | University of Winnipeg |
| Jayesh Maniar | Manitoba Education |
| Jason Drysdale | River East Transcona School Division |
Status
Established September 2021.
Education Funding Model Review Team
This team will be responsible for developing a new funding model for public education in Manitoba. This will incorporate the phase out of education property taxes and ensuring a fair, equitable and transparent funding model is delivered. For the complete terms of reference see the Education Funding Model Review Team Terms of Reference.
Members
Membership includes broad and diverse representation from a number of organizations, including First Nations schools, independent schools, school superintendents, municipal organizations and parent councils, among others.
| Derek Bradley | Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) |
| Brenda Brazeau | Manitoba Association of Parent Councils (MAPC) |
| Kam Blight | Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) |
| Alan Campbell | Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) |
| Pauline Clarke | Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS) |
| Rob Dupré-Ollinik | Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) |
| Floyd Martens | Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) |
| George Merasty | Manitoba First Nations School System (MFNSS) |
| Sandy Nemeth | Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) |
| Robert Praznik | Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools (MFIS) |
| Stephen Ross | Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS) |
| Amanda Senkowski | Manitoba Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) |
| Wayne Shimizu | Manitoba Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) |
| Rachel Smith | Family Advocacy Network (FAN) of Manitoba |
| Brian Spurrill | Manitoba Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) |
| Joseph Warbanski | Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS) |
Status
Established November 2021
Minister’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Education
The objective of the Council is to provide recommendations to the Minister with a focus on ensuring timely access to assessment, learning supports, and clinical services for students with special needs; implementing a standardized reporting mechanism aligned with the provincial report card; and reviewing investments and professional learning needs to enhance classroom supports. For the complete terms of reference, see the Inclusive Education Advisory Council Terms of Reference.
Members
Key stakeholders, or those in the public with expertise related to special learning needs, will be key in seeking diversity of perspective, geographic representation, and experience.
| Allan Hawkins | Manitoba Education |
| Kendra Gowler | Student Services Administrators’ Association of Manitoba |
| Janet Forbes | Inclusion Winnipeg |
| David Kron | Children’s Coalition |
| John Leggat | St. Amant |
| Stephanie Skakun | Canadian Mental Health Association—Manitoba and Winnipeg |
| Kathleen Vyrauen | Newcomer Education Coalition |
| Myra Laramee | New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families Inc. |
| Sandra Goff | Family Advocacy Network of Manitoba |
| Brenda Brazeau | Manitoba Association of Parent Councils |
| Lars Fielberg | Student Services Administrators’ Association of Manitoba |
| Rob Fisher | Council of School Leaders of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society |
| Jennifer Young | The Manitoba Teachers’ Society |
| Robert Charach | Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools |
Status
Established June 2021.
Task Force on Poverty and Education
The Task Force, in connection to the Poverty Reduction Strategy, will examine the linkages between poverty and education and support the implementation of strategies to improve engagement and outcomes for all students. For the draft terms of reference see the Task Force on Poverty and Education Terms of Reference.
Members
Key stakeholder with expertise poverty-related issue – will be key to seek diversity of perspective, geographic representation, and experience
| Mona Audet | Pluri-Elles |
| Jordan Bighorn | CEDA Pathways |
| Brenda Brazeau | Manitoba Association of Parent Councils |
| Chris Brens | City of Winnipeg |
| Kamryn Brown | Minister’s Student Advisory Council Member |
| Pauline Clarke | Manitoba Association of School Superintendents |
| Jackie Connell | Intersectoral Lead for the Task Force |
| Bunny Davis-Holstein | Minister’s Student Advisory Council Member |
| Davin Dumas | Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre |
| Fadi Ennab | University of Winnipeg, Urban and Inner City Studies |
| Meaghan Erbus | Harvest Manitoba |
| Rob Fisher | Council of School Leaders of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society |
| Sarah Gazan | The Manitoba Teachers’ Society |
| Janet Kanayok | Manitoba Inuit Association |
| Reg Klassen | Frontier School Division |
| Dilly Knol | Andrews Street Family Centre |
| Nathan Maertins | The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce |
| Tammy Mitchell | River East Transcona School Division |
| Michael Redhead Champagne | North End Community Renewal Corporation (NECRC), Fearless R2W |
| Dana Rudy | Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning |
| Rhonda Taylor | Career Trek |
| Kathy Valentino | Association for Manitoba Municipalities |
| Janelle Wotton | Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba |
| Heidi Wurmann | Manitoba Families |
Status
Established September 2021.
Indigenous Inclusion Directorate Advisory Council
The Indigenous Inclusion Directorate Advisory Council (IIDAC) is to provide advice, guidance and recommendations to the Director of the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate (IID) on matters as they relate to initiatives and action areas within Nursery – Grade 12 education.
For the complete terms of reference see the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate Advisory Council Terms of Reference.
Members
| Starlett Beardy | Youth Representative |
| Ann Callahan | Elder |
| Myra Laramee | Elder |
| Nicole Chaske | Trustee |
| Colleen Clearsky | First Nation Education Director |
| Nickie Batzel | Principal |
| Angela Fey | Teacher |
| Clifton Flett | Citizen-at-large |
| Amanda Gurke | Parent (rural) |
| Lorie Henderson | Superintendent |
| Mona Moquin | Full Circle for Indigenous Education (previously known as Aboriginal Circle of Educators) |
| Shirley Thompson | Parent (rural) |
| Diedre Desmarais | Co-Chair (Kiskentamowin Representative) |
| Dan Ward | Cultural Representative |
Status
This Council was established prior to the launch of the BEST Strategy.
Attendance Task Force
This Task Force will provide the Deputy Minister of Education with updates on the mandate of the Task Force which include: key child-serving departments make school attendance a policy and programming priority (Education, Families, Justice and Indigenous and Northern Relations); meetings with educational partners that emphasize the importance of school attendance; and work with school divisions to develop strategies to improve attendance.
Members
| Sel Burrows | Community Member |
| Kent Dueck | Community Member |
| Barb Isaak | Manitoba Association of School Superintendents |
| Celia Caetano-Gomes | Winnipeg School Division |
| Pauline Clarke | Winnipeg School Division |
| Reg Klassen | Frontier School Division |
| Tyson MacGillivary | Frontier School Division |
| Scott DeJaegher | Indigenous and Northern Relations |
| Emily Keijzer | Indigenous and Northern Relations |
| Brian Malkowich | Families |
| John Mikula | Families |
| Todd Clarke | Justice |
| Frankie Snider | Justice |
| Cameron Zacharias | Justice |
Status
This Task Force was established prior to the launch of the BEST strategy.