2023 - 2024 SOTA Executive
Jeff Cieszecki Email: president@sota.mbteach.org
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 Email: vicepresident@sota.mbteach.org
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.
Julie Springer
Treasurer
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 over 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, Secretary and as a Member at Large.
Always looking for a new challenge, I feel I am ready to put my name forward to work with the membership as Treasurer. I value what Seven Oaks and SOTA stand for and I look forward to serving as Treasurer.
Treasurer
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 over 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, Secretary and as a Member at Large.
Always looking for a new challenge, I feel I am ready to put my name forward to work with the membership as Treasurer. I value what Seven Oaks and SOTA stand for and I look forward to serving as Treasurer.
Lindsay Brown
Secretary
The 2023-2024 school year marks my seventh 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
Secretary
The 2023-2024 school year marks my seventh 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
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Lina Arruda
Chair:
I have worked in the private education system as well as in the public-school division including Seine River Division, Winnipeg School Division, Pembina School Division and finally, the Seven Oaks Division.
I started at École Seven Oaks School as a classroom teacher and moved into a Counselling position after I completed my post-Baccalaureate. I have been working at Collège Garden City Collegiate as a Counsellor for the past 15 years.
have been a member of MASTARS, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the American Counseling Association.
I realize the work that SOTA does for its members is extremely important and I look forward to actively assisting in the growth and enhancement of the association.
Chair:
I have worked in the private education system as well as in the public-school division including Seine River Division, Winnipeg School Division, Pembina School Division and finally, the Seven Oaks Division.
I started at École Seven Oaks School as a classroom teacher and moved into a Counselling position after I completed my post-Baccalaureate. I have been working at Collège Garden City Collegiate as a Counsellor for the past 15 years.
have been a member of MASTARS, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the American Counseling Association.
I realize the work that SOTA does for its members is extremely important and I look forward to actively assisting in the growth and enhancement of the association.
Mark Behrendt
Chair:
This is my 12th year of teaching and I am currently a Learning Support Teacher at R.F. Morrison School. This is my 9th year being involved in SOTA and have served in several different roles throughout that time. SOTA and MTS are integral to protecting and advancing the rights of our members. Teacher unions, in general, are integral to a healthy public school system and a healthy society. However, our union can only be its strongest if we have robust participation from our members. When I saw there were vacant positions for next year, I felt the best way I could contribute would be to put my name forward to join Executive once again.
Plus… I love this stuff.
I am honoured to serve our members as a part of the 2023-24 SOTA Executive as a Member at Large.
List of Experience and Involvement
.
Chair:
This is my 12th year of teaching and I am currently a Learning Support Teacher at R.F. Morrison School. This is my 9th year being involved in SOTA and have served in several different roles throughout that time. SOTA and MTS are integral to protecting and advancing the rights of our members. Teacher unions, in general, are integral to a healthy public school system and a healthy society. However, our union can only be its strongest if we have robust participation from our members. When I saw there were vacant positions for next year, I felt the best way I could contribute would be to put my name forward to join Executive once again.
Plus… I love this stuff.
I am honoured to serve our members as a part of the 2023-24 SOTA Executive as a Member at Large.
List of Experience and Involvement
- SOTA Councillor
- SOTA Head Councillor
- SOTA Bargaining Committee
- SOTA Resolutions Committee
- SOTA Indigenous Committee Chair
- MTS Provincial Council Delegate
- Delegate to MTS Provincial Bargaining Seminars 1 and 2
- SOTA Treasurer
- SOTA Member at Large
.
Amanda Karpinsky
Chair:
I have been an early years teacher with Seven Oaks for the past 7 years. I first started my career teaching in the senior years in the Winnipeg School Division which has given me a wide perspective on the teaching profession over the years.
I believe deeply in member well-being and equity which directly benefits all our students. I am a proud member of the queer community and I am a facilitator with QUESO: Queering Seven Oaks, a collective of teachers from within the division that are working to provide PD and support in the area of 2SLGBTQIA+ expansive education.
I have been involved with our union as a School Councillor/Rep for SOTA at Riverbend and have attended AGM as a delegate for several years. I am also a member of the SOTA Resolutions Committee.
I look forward to working with our membership this year as a member at large.
Chair:
I have been an early years teacher with Seven Oaks for the past 7 years. I first started my career teaching in the senior years in the Winnipeg School Division which has given me a wide perspective on the teaching profession over the years.
I believe deeply in member well-being and equity which directly benefits all our students. I am a proud member of the queer community and I am a facilitator with QUESO: Queering Seven Oaks, a collective of teachers from within the division that are working to provide PD and support in the area of 2SLGBTQIA+ expansive education.
I have been involved with our union as a School Councillor/Rep for SOTA at Riverbend and have attended AGM as a delegate for several years. I am also a member of the SOTA Resolutions Committee.
I look forward to working with our membership this year as a member at large.
Joanne Kosheluk
Chair:
Thank you for allowing me to represent you on the SOTA Executive as a Member at Large this 2023/24 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:
Thank you for allowing me to represent you on the SOTA Executive as a Member at Large this 2023/24 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:
I consider it a tremendous honour to be a part of the SOTA Executive for the 2023-2024 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:
I consider it a tremendous honour to be a part of the SOTA Executive for the 2023-2024 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.
Harpreet Mavi
Chair:
As an educator that has only been part of the profession for three years, I wholeheartedly believe that my understanding of our system will help provide a unique perspective during critical conversations happening within the Association.
I have been a teacher at Amber Trails Community School for these three years. During these years, I have been fortunate to be part of grades 3-4 and 6-7. Through these initial years, I have learned to understand the importance of having an impact on the lives of my students but it's also just as important to have an impact on the professional development of my colleagues.
By participating in various committees within our school community, I have become familiar with how to effectively improve conditions for teachers. Such conditions that allow teachers to grow as professionals.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Wayfinders. This experience has allowed me to develop fluency with the procedures and protocols of board meetings.
Chair:
As an educator that has only been part of the profession for three years, I wholeheartedly believe that my understanding of our system will help provide a unique perspective during critical conversations happening within the Association.
I have been a teacher at Amber Trails Community School for these three years. During these years, I have been fortunate to be part of grades 3-4 and 6-7. Through these initial years, I have learned to understand the importance of having an impact on the lives of my students but it's also just as important to have an impact on the professional development of my colleagues.
By participating in various committees within our school community, I have become familiar with how to effectively improve conditions for teachers. Such conditions that allow teachers to grow as professionals.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Wayfinders. This experience has allowed me to develop fluency with the procedures and protocols of board meetings.
Lisa Meyers
Chair:
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:
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.