2022 - 2023 SOTA Executive
Jeff Cieszecki Email
President
Workplace Health and Safety Co-Chair
Provincial Bargaining Committee
I am looking forward to working this year as your SOTA President.
I have been a teacher with Seven Oaks for 26 years, most recently having worked at Garden City Collegiate (2 years). I have worked as a science teacher at Maples Collegiate (15.5 years), coordinator of the College and University Program and First Year Now University Program (2.5 years) and taught TAS (Engineering Design) and Science at Seven Oaks Middle School (2 years).
I have served as a member of SOTA Executive in various capacities including Past President (2018-2020), President (2015-2018), Vice-President (2020-2021, 2013-2015), Treasurer (3 years), and Member at Large (3 years). I am also the SOTA Bargaining Chair for this round of negotiations.
The work of our association is extremely valuable to help support teachers both in and out of the classroom. As SOTA President I look forward to continue working on behalf of the membership to ensure your voice is heard.
President
Workplace Health and Safety Co-Chair
Provincial Bargaining Committee
I am looking forward to working this year as your SOTA President.
I have been a teacher with Seven Oaks for 26 years, most recently having worked at Garden City Collegiate (2 years). I have worked as a science teacher at Maples Collegiate (15.5 years), coordinator of the College and University Program and First Year Now University Program (2.5 years) and taught TAS (Engineering Design) and Science at Seven Oaks Middle School (2 years).
I have served as a member of SOTA Executive in various capacities including Past President (2018-2020), President (2015-2018), Vice-President (2020-2021, 2013-2015), Treasurer (3 years), and Member at Large (3 years). I am also the SOTA Bargaining Chair for this round of negotiations.
The work of our association is extremely valuable to help support teachers both in and out of the classroom. As SOTA President I look forward to continue working on behalf of the membership to ensure your voice is heard.
Karen Vaarmeyer
Vice President
SOTA/Board PD/Ed Leave Co-Chair
SOTA/Board Advisory Co-Chair
Member Services Chair
Public Relations Chair
I have been a teacher in Seven Oaks School Division for over twenty-five years. I began my career as a substitute teacher within the division. After several years as a substitute, I was fortunate to join the staff at Seven Oaks Middle school where I taught grades seven and eight for ten years. In the fall of 2007, I moved to College Garden City Collegiate. During my time at GC, I was a founding member of the Women’s Hockey program, taught grades nine to eleven science and mathematics, and was a member of the student services team as a learning support teacher for eight years.
My duties as SOTA Vice President include chairing the Public Relations Committee, co-chairing the SOTA/Board Advisory Committee, and co-chairing the SOTA/Board Professional Development/Ed Leave Committee. I am also a member the SOTA Resolutions, Policy/Constitution, and Health Benefit Plan Advisory committees.
I look forward to representing our membership this year as SOTA Vice President.
Vice President
SOTA/Board PD/Ed Leave Co-Chair
SOTA/Board Advisory Co-Chair
Member Services Chair
Public Relations Chair
I have been a teacher in Seven Oaks School Division for over twenty-five years. I began my career as a substitute teacher within the division. After several years as a substitute, I was fortunate to join the staff at Seven Oaks Middle school where I taught grades seven and eight for ten years. In the fall of 2007, I moved to College Garden City Collegiate. During my time at GC, I was a founding member of the Women’s Hockey program, taught grades nine to eleven science and mathematics, and was a member of the student services team as a learning support teacher for eight years.
My duties as SOTA Vice President include chairing the Public Relations Committee, co-chairing the SOTA/Board Advisory Committee, and co-chairing the SOTA/Board Professional Development/Ed Leave Committee. I am also a member the SOTA Resolutions, Policy/Constitution, and Health Benefit Plan Advisory committees.
I look forward to representing our membership this year as SOTA Vice President.
Elliot Macdonald
Treasurer
Chair:
I have worked in Seven Oaks for my entire career. I began teaching at Ecole Constable Edward Finney School. I moved on to West Kildonan Collegiate as a Science and Mathematics teacher. While I was at West Kildonan, I got involved with our local and became head councillor. I have been an active member of the association and I have attended the last seven provincial council meetings. I am currently the SOTA treasurer and the chair of the resolutions committee. It has been rewarding working with the executive this past year and l look forward to working along side them this coming year. I am currently the Vice-Principal of Edmund Partridge Community School. I am also the president of the Manitoba Middle Years Association and was previously the treasurer. I am looking forward to attending SOTA executive meetings and lending my experience to support our members.
Treasurer
Chair:
I have worked in Seven Oaks for my entire career. I began teaching at Ecole Constable Edward Finney School. I moved on to West Kildonan Collegiate as a Science and Mathematics teacher. While I was at West Kildonan, I got involved with our local and became head councillor. I have been an active member of the association and I have attended the last seven provincial council meetings. I am currently the SOTA treasurer and the chair of the resolutions committee. It has been rewarding working with the executive this past year and l look forward to working along side them this coming year. I am currently the Vice-Principal of Edmund Partridge Community School. I am also the president of the Manitoba Middle Years Association and was previously the treasurer. I am looking forward to attending SOTA executive meetings and lending my experience to support our members.
Julie Springer
Secretary
Chair: Equity and Social Justice
Co-Chair: Indigenous Education
I started my career at Seven Oaks as an EA while earning my degrees through the CATEP program. I have been a teacher in Seven Oaks for ten years now. My teaching experience is as a classroom teacher in Grades 1-7, as well as a year in Learning Support.
I am continually looking for a new challenge or change of pace so I got involved with the association as a head councillor six years ago. Since then, I have served on SOTA Executive as Treasurer and as a Member at Large. This year I was part of SOTA’s delegation to the Provincial Bargaining Seminars.
Always looking for a new challenge, I feel I am ready to put my name forward to work with the membership as Secretary. I value what Seven Oaks and SOTA stand for and I look forward to serving as Secretary.
Mike Giffen
Past President
I am proud to be back as the SOTA Past President this year. I have been working in Seven Oaks since 2001. I have taught grades 1,2,4,5,6 &7 at Elwick and Edmund Partridge.
I was the SOTA President from 2013-2015 and have served on SOTA Executive for over 15 years. From 2011 – 2015, I served on MTS Provincial Executive. I chaired the Equity and Social Justice Committee, Education and Certification, and Curriculum and Review Committee.
I am honoured to work with our Executive on behalf of our membership and profession.
Secretary
Chair: Equity and Social Justice
Co-Chair: Indigenous Education
I started my career at Seven Oaks as an EA while earning my degrees through the CATEP program. I have been a teacher in Seven Oaks for ten years now. My teaching experience is as a classroom teacher in Grades 1-7, as well as a year in Learning Support.
I am continually looking for a new challenge or change of pace so I got involved with the association as a head councillor six years ago. Since then, I have served on SOTA Executive as Treasurer and as a Member at Large. This year I was part of SOTA’s delegation to the Provincial Bargaining Seminars.
Always looking for a new challenge, I feel I am ready to put my name forward to work with the membership as Secretary. I value what Seven Oaks and SOTA stand for and I look forward to serving as Secretary.
Mike Giffen
Past President
I am proud to be back as the SOTA Past President this year. I have been working in Seven Oaks since 2001. I have taught grades 1,2,4,5,6 &7 at Elwick and Edmund Partridge.
I was the SOTA President from 2013-2015 and have served on SOTA Executive for over 15 years. From 2011 – 2015, I served on MTS Provincial Executive. I chaired the Equity and Social Justice Committee, Education and Certification, and Curriculum and Review Committee.
I am honoured to work with our Executive on behalf of our membership and profession.
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Michelle Janzic
Chair: Education Finance
I have been in the Seven Oaks School Division all my life. I was fortunate enough to be a student at Collicutt School, Ecole Constable Edward Finney School, Ken Seaford Junior High, and Maples Collegiate. I have been a Teacher at Maples Collegiate and in the Seven Oaks School Division for 22 years. I have enjoyed teaching a range of grade levels and subjects to our students. I am currently in the role of Support Teacher where I support students holistically in a variety of areas including student voice, academics, social/emotional, to ensure their needs are met.
In the past year and a half, I have been a member of the Divisional Circle of Support Committee and am an active member of my schools Workplace Safety and Health Committee. In addition, I have been a School Councillor/Rep for SOTA at Maples Collegiate the past two & a half years and am a Provincial Bargaining Delegate. Our members’ wellness, well-being, equality & equity, and social justice are some of the areas that I am passionate about. With the changes in Manitoba Education, I would be a good advocate for the needs of teachers and students in our schools. I would very much appreciate your support by voting for me as a Member At Large SOTA Executive. I look forward to working for you, our SOTA members. Thank-you.
Chair: Education Finance
I have been in the Seven Oaks School Division all my life. I was fortunate enough to be a student at Collicutt School, Ecole Constable Edward Finney School, Ken Seaford Junior High, and Maples Collegiate. I have been a Teacher at Maples Collegiate and in the Seven Oaks School Division for 22 years. I have enjoyed teaching a range of grade levels and subjects to our students. I am currently in the role of Support Teacher where I support students holistically in a variety of areas including student voice, academics, social/emotional, to ensure their needs are met.
In the past year and a half, I have been a member of the Divisional Circle of Support Committee and am an active member of my schools Workplace Safety and Health Committee. In addition, I have been a School Councillor/Rep for SOTA at Maples Collegiate the past two & a half years and am a Provincial Bargaining Delegate. Our members’ wellness, well-being, equality & equity, and social justice are some of the areas that I am passionate about. With the changes in Manitoba Education, I would be a good advocate for the needs of teachers and students in our schools. I would very much appreciate your support by voting for me as a Member At Large SOTA Executive. I look forward to working for you, our SOTA members. Thank-you.
Lindsay Brown
Chair: Indigenous Education
The 2022-2023 school year marks my sixth year as a Member-at-Large on SOTA Executive and I thank you for continuing to support my work in this position.
I am also currently in my second year of a two-year term on the Manitoba Teachers' Society as a member of the Provincial Executive. It is an honour and privilege to represent the approximately 16,000 members across the province and I strive to make SOTA members proud in all of my work.
Maples Collegiate has been my second home since 2007, and I have the privilege of working with Grade 11 and 12 students in the areas of Language Arts and Film Studies. I am also the lead facilitator of QUESO: Queering Seven Oaks, a collective of teachers from within the division that are working to provide PD and support in the area of 2SLGBTQQIA+ expansive education.
I am a proud member of the queer and trans communities, and have committed myself to working together with my colleagues to make our schools and community safer and more welcoming for all staff and students.
Chair: Indigenous Education
The 2022-2023 school year marks my sixth year as a Member-at-Large on SOTA Executive and I thank you for continuing to support my work in this position.
I am also currently in my second year of a two-year term on the Manitoba Teachers' Society as a member of the Provincial Executive. It is an honour and privilege to represent the approximately 16,000 members across the province and I strive to make SOTA members proud in all of my work.
Maples Collegiate has been my second home since 2007, and I have the privilege of working with Grade 11 and 12 students in the areas of Language Arts and Film Studies. I am also the lead facilitator of QUESO: Queering Seven Oaks, a collective of teachers from within the division that are working to provide PD and support in the area of 2SLGBTQQIA+ expansive education.
I am a proud member of the queer and trans communities, and have committed myself to working together with my colleagues to make our schools and community safer and more welcoming for all staff and students.
Charlene Eckert
Chair: Scholarship & Employee Benefits
I have been teaching in Seven Oaks School Division since 1999 having taught grades 4, 6, 7 & 8. My career in Seven Oaks spans more time though, having also attended schools in the division and I choose to live here to educate my children.
I was raised by my family to value hard work and dedication as well as to give to my community. I carry these values in my career. I have coached various sports, participated in committees at both the school and divisional level and have collaborated with colleagues in Seven Oaks to continue my education and development as a teacher. I have also worked with the CMEC (Council of Ministers of Education, Canada) and Bureau d’Education Francais in a similar capacity.
I served as Head Councillor for my school last year and wanted to delve more into this aspect of teaching and giving. I am pleased and proud to be a new SOTA executive representative this year.
Chair: Scholarship & Employee Benefits
I have been teaching in Seven Oaks School Division since 1999 having taught grades 4, 6, 7 & 8. My career in Seven Oaks spans more time though, having also attended schools in the division and I choose to live here to educate my children.
I was raised by my family to value hard work and dedication as well as to give to my community. I carry these values in my career. I have coached various sports, participated in committees at both the school and divisional level and have collaborated with colleagues in Seven Oaks to continue my education and development as a teacher. I have also worked with the CMEC (Council of Ministers of Education, Canada) and Bureau d’Education Francais in a similar capacity.
I served as Head Councillor for my school last year and wanted to delve more into this aspect of teaching and giving. I am pleased and proud to be a new SOTA executive representative this year.
Joanne Kosheluk
Chair: WEL (Women in Educational Leadership)
Thank you for allowing me to represent you on the SOTA Executive as a Member at Large this 2010/20 year!
I got passionate about becoming involved with the teachers union around 5 years ago as I got into bigger and more challenging conversations at home with my partner about the other side of teaching. I was reminded that we become our best teacher selves when we are taking care of one another in this profession. My union life began as the Contact Rep in my school in a different association, and carried into my SOTA life last year when I returned to the division. I wanted to become more involved and active in the union and I am so proud to be a part of the team that helps to make changes and strengthen our Association and thrilled to be the ESJ Chair for the year!
Who I am: After 20 years of being a freelance musician/private teacher (flute), I am in my 8th year of teaching band in the public school system! I teach middle years band at Leila North, leading 400 students through a variety of music, instruments, and performances each year. I also co-lead the Leila North Colour Club (our GSA), and lead the Leila North Eco Club.
At home, I am the parent to an amazing 13 year old daughter, a 13 year old shelter kitty, a 6 year old dentally challenged rescue cocker spaniel, and a three year old very interesting looking half-cocker-spaniel-half who-knows-what rescue pup (son of the cocker spaniel). As well as partner to a super Union-Passionate human :). I also co-run the animal rescue advocacy group Manitoba Musicians for Mutts.
I look forward to the big conversations and decisions that this year holds. We will find our best successes by listening to each others voices and stories. Let’s work together to keep SOTA strong and a great voice for all!
Chair: WEL (Women in Educational Leadership)
Thank you for allowing me to represent you on the SOTA Executive as a Member at Large this 2010/20 year!
I got passionate about becoming involved with the teachers union around 5 years ago as I got into bigger and more challenging conversations at home with my partner about the other side of teaching. I was reminded that we become our best teacher selves when we are taking care of one another in this profession. My union life began as the Contact Rep in my school in a different association, and carried into my SOTA life last year when I returned to the division. I wanted to become more involved and active in the union and I am so proud to be a part of the team that helps to make changes and strengthen our Association and thrilled to be the ESJ Chair for the year!
Who I am: After 20 years of being a freelance musician/private teacher (flute), I am in my 8th year of teaching band in the public school system! I teach middle years band at Leila North, leading 400 students through a variety of music, instruments, and performances each year. I also co-lead the Leila North Colour Club (our GSA), and lead the Leila North Eco Club.
At home, I am the parent to an amazing 13 year old daughter, a 13 year old shelter kitty, a 6 year old dentally challenged rescue cocker spaniel, and a three year old very interesting looking half-cocker-spaniel-half who-knows-what rescue pup (son of the cocker spaniel). As well as partner to a super Union-Passionate human :). I also co-run the animal rescue advocacy group Manitoba Musicians for Mutts.
I look forward to the big conversations and decisions that this year holds. We will find our best successes by listening to each others voices and stories. Let’s work together to keep SOTA strong and a great voice for all!
Jordan Laidlaw
Chair: Wellness
Co-Chair: Equity and Social Justice
I consider it a tremendous honour to have been elected to serve as a part of the SOTA Elective for the 2020/2021 school year, and I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues for their ongoing support.
I have worked in the division as a music educator, facilitating learning experiences with students ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 6. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I have completed my M.Ed. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, and am presently a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Administration at the University of Manitoba. My dissertation will explore the democratization of educational leadership, investigating practices to facilitate teacher leadership for social and organizational change.
I have served as a SOTA Head Councillor, am a board member of MMEA (an MTS-affiliated SAGE), serve as the Director of Educational Outreach for a local non-profit arts organization, and am a member of the Teacher Led Learning Team at the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. In 2016, I was honoured to be recognized by my community of music educators, receiving the New Builder’s Award from the Canadian Music Educators’ Association.
We are living in very precarious times; education is unequivocally the solution to many of the social tensions prevalent in our society. I am committed to upholding the protection of public education and our teaching profession.
Chair: Wellness
Co-Chair: Equity and Social Justice
I consider it a tremendous honour to have been elected to serve as a part of the SOTA Elective for the 2020/2021 school year, and I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues for their ongoing support.
I have worked in the division as a music educator, facilitating learning experiences with students ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 6. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I have completed my M.Ed. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, and am presently a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Administration at the University of Manitoba. My dissertation will explore the democratization of educational leadership, investigating practices to facilitate teacher leadership for social and organizational change.
I have served as a SOTA Head Councillor, am a board member of MMEA (an MTS-affiliated SAGE), serve as the Director of Educational Outreach for a local non-profit arts organization, and am a member of the Teacher Led Learning Team at the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. In 2016, I was honoured to be recognized by my community of music educators, receiving the New Builder’s Award from the Canadian Music Educators’ Association.
We are living in very precarious times; education is unequivocally the solution to many of the social tensions prevalent in our society. I am committed to upholding the protection of public education and our teaching profession.
Lisa Meyers
Chair: Resolutions
I have proudly taught grade 1 and/or 2 in the Seven Oaks School Division since I became a teacher in 2011. I have gotten to know many of our members across the division from the different schools I have worked in, both in the Maples and West Kildonan areas while serving first as Head Councillor and later as a member of the Executive. I have learned a lot during my time on Executive through the bargaining process as a member of the former table team, during our fight against Bill 64, and throughout the pandemic. I have served on the Resolutions Committee, Women in Educational Leadership Committee, Economic Welfare Committee.
My passion has always been about speaking our truth and being a strong advocate for teachers in our division and our profession. This year I will be chairing the Resolution Committee and look forward to continuing SOTA's tradition of putting forth resolutions and being a strong voice.
Chair: Resolutions
I have proudly taught grade 1 and/or 2 in the Seven Oaks School Division since I became a teacher in 2011. I have gotten to know many of our members across the division from the different schools I have worked in, both in the Maples and West Kildonan areas while serving first as Head Councillor and later as a member of the Executive. I have learned a lot during my time on Executive through the bargaining process as a member of the former table team, during our fight against Bill 64, and throughout the pandemic. I have served on the Resolutions Committee, Women in Educational Leadership Committee, Economic Welfare Committee.
My passion has always been about speaking our truth and being a strong advocate for teachers in our division and our profession. This year I will be chairing the Resolution Committee and look forward to continuing SOTA's tradition of putting forth resolutions and being a strong voice.