SOTA Executive
Jeff Cieszecki Contact
President
I have been involved in local association work since I began working in Seven Oaks School Division in 1995. Since that time I have worked at Maples Collegiate, Garden City Collegiate and Ecole Seven Oaks Middle School. My experience on SOTA Executive includes 2000-2003 (as co-chair of PD), 2005-2008 (as Treasurer), 2013-2015 (as Vice President), and presently as President. I am also presently an MTS Provincial Executive (PX) member, chairing the Education Finance Standing Committee. My other PX duties includes membership on the SAGE Ad Hoc Committee, the MTS Audit Committee, and I Liaise with the following SAGE groups: Manitoba Physical Education Teachers’ Association, Manitoba Music Teachers’ Association, and the Manitoba School Counsellors’ Association. I am looking forward to continue working on behalf of the teachers of Seven Oaks.
President
I have been involved in local association work since I began working in Seven Oaks School Division in 1995. Since that time I have worked at Maples Collegiate, Garden City Collegiate and Ecole Seven Oaks Middle School. My experience on SOTA Executive includes 2000-2003 (as co-chair of PD), 2005-2008 (as Treasurer), 2013-2015 (as Vice President), and presently as President. I am also presently an MTS Provincial Executive (PX) member, chairing the Education Finance Standing Committee. My other PX duties includes membership on the SAGE Ad Hoc Committee, the MTS Audit Committee, and I Liaise with the following SAGE groups: Manitoba Physical Education Teachers’ Association, Manitoba Music Teachers’ Association, and the Manitoba School Counsellors’ Association. I am looking forward to continue working on behalf of the teachers of Seven Oaks.
Catherine Hart Contact
Vice President
Professional Issues Chair
SOTA/BOARD Advisory Co-Chair
WSH Steering Committee
From 2010 to 2017, I taught and served as a GSA advisor at West Kildonan Collegiate. I joined the SOTA Executive as Equity and Social Justice Chair in 2014, and enjoyed the opportunity to help connect teachers with the resources to build capacity on equity issues. As your SOTA Vice President, I am the Chair of the Professional Issues Committee, Co-Chair of the SOTA/Board Advisory Committee, and a member of the Workplace Safety and Health Steering Committee.
My involvement with MTS has included planning and facilitating workshops on Social Justice, Gender and Sexual Diversity with the Teacher Action Cohort (2014-2015) and the Teacher Led Learning Team (2015-present), and volunteering on the planning committees for the CTF Women’s Issues Symposium (2015) and MTS’ 100th Anniversary (2015-present).
I believe in encouraging teacher voice and acting in solidarity, because teachers play a powerful role in creating the society we all belong to. Equity for teachers is a cornerstone of equity for everyone. I look forward to continuing to represent you.
Vice President
Professional Issues Chair
SOTA/BOARD Advisory Co-Chair
WSH Steering Committee
From 2010 to 2017, I taught and served as a GSA advisor at West Kildonan Collegiate. I joined the SOTA Executive as Equity and Social Justice Chair in 2014, and enjoyed the opportunity to help connect teachers with the resources to build capacity on equity issues. As your SOTA Vice President, I am the Chair of the Professional Issues Committee, Co-Chair of the SOTA/Board Advisory Committee, and a member of the Workplace Safety and Health Steering Committee.
My involvement with MTS has included planning and facilitating workshops on Social Justice, Gender and Sexual Diversity with the Teacher Action Cohort (2014-2015) and the Teacher Led Learning Team (2015-present), and volunteering on the planning committees for the CTF Women’s Issues Symposium (2015) and MTS’ 100th Anniversary (2015-present).
I believe in encouraging teacher voice and acting in solidarity, because teachers play a powerful role in creating the society we all belong to. Equity for teachers is a cornerstone of equity for everyone. I look forward to continuing to represent you.
Jason Allard
I began my teaching career in September of 2005 at Maples Collegiate. As a high school teacher, I have taught, coached and mentored many different students. These students have all helped me develop as an educator and remain passionate about my job.
My SOTA involvement began with being a member of the table team for the negotiation of our last collective agreement. In this role, I spent a lot of time analyzing our collective agreement and the collective agreements from other teacher associations. It was a process where I learned a lot. I hope to build on this experience next year, as it will be again a negotiating year.
This past year as a member of the SOTA’s executive council, I was the Employee Benefits chair and co-chair of Collective Bargaining. This past year has been a great experience with lots of learning and development. I have enjoyed working with the SOTA executive and SOTA council.
I began my teaching career in September of 2005 at Maples Collegiate. As a high school teacher, I have taught, coached and mentored many different students. These students have all helped me develop as an educator and remain passionate about my job.
My SOTA involvement began with being a member of the table team for the negotiation of our last collective agreement. In this role, I spent a lot of time analyzing our collective agreement and the collective agreements from other teacher associations. It was a process where I learned a lot. I hope to build on this experience next year, as it will be again a negotiating year.
This past year as a member of the SOTA’s executive council, I was the Employee Benefits chair and co-chair of Collective Bargaining. This past year has been a great experience with lots of learning and development. I have enjoyed working with the SOTA executive and SOTA council.
Amber Brown
I began my career in Seven Oaks School Division as an educational assistant through the C.A.T.E.P. program for six years, and for the last five years, I have had the opportunity to teach and learn with Grade 6 and 7 students at O.V. Jewitt.
I have discovered a lot about my role as an educator for my students and as a part of the school community. I aspire to influence my students to become open-minded empathetic individuals who realize the importance of their voices in advocacy. I have become involved in efforts towards social justice, sustainability, and Indigenous Perspectives and Reconciliation.
In my first year on SOTA executive, the vast amount of knowledge and experience I was introduced to was a great learning-curve and I am thankful for the opportunity. As a new member, in a new role of Indigenous Chair, this first year allowed me to find solid footing and direction within my role. I look forward to continuing my work with SOTA Executive and serving our members for the 2017/18 year.
I began my career in Seven Oaks School Division as an educational assistant through the C.A.T.E.P. program for six years, and for the last five years, I have had the opportunity to teach and learn with Grade 6 and 7 students at O.V. Jewitt.
I have discovered a lot about my role as an educator for my students and as a part of the school community. I aspire to influence my students to become open-minded empathetic individuals who realize the importance of their voices in advocacy. I have become involved in efforts towards social justice, sustainability, and Indigenous Perspectives and Reconciliation.
In my first year on SOTA executive, the vast amount of knowledge and experience I was introduced to was a great learning-curve and I am thankful for the opportunity. As a new member, in a new role of Indigenous Chair, this first year allowed me to find solid footing and direction within my role. I look forward to continuing my work with SOTA Executive and serving our members for the 2017/18 year.
Lindsay Brown
It is my absolute pleasure and privilege to represent my colleagues on the SOTA 2017-2018 Executive.
A little about myself: I have taught at Maples Collegiate since 2007, working primarily with Grade 11 and 12 students in the areas of ELA and Film Studies. I am a teacher supervisor for the Maples Improv Team, Maples GSA, and help to organize the Maples Poetry Slam.
In my life outside of Seven Oaks, I teach at the University of Winnipeg in the Faculty of Education as a Contract Academic Staff member, and sit on the Manitoba Teachers' Society Equity and Social Justice Standing Committee.
I am a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and have committed myself to working together with my colleagues to make our schools and community safe and welcoming for all students. I am looking forward to chairing the Scholarship and Social/Sport committees, as well as assisting with the Equity and Social Justice committee.
It is my absolute pleasure and privilege to represent my colleagues on the SOTA 2017-2018 Executive.
A little about myself: I have taught at Maples Collegiate since 2007, working primarily with Grade 11 and 12 students in the areas of ELA and Film Studies. I am a teacher supervisor for the Maples Improv Team, Maples GSA, and help to organize the Maples Poetry Slam.
In my life outside of Seven Oaks, I teach at the University of Winnipeg in the Faculty of Education as a Contract Academic Staff member, and sit on the Manitoba Teachers' Society Equity and Social Justice Standing Committee.
I am a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and have committed myself to working together with my colleagues to make our schools and community safe and welcoming for all students. I am looking forward to chairing the Scholarship and Social/Sport committees, as well as assisting with the Equity and Social Justice committee.
Daniel Buchanan
Daniel Buchanan has worked as a SOTA member and School Psychologist with the Seven Oaks School Division since 2011. He has done work in multiple schools in the division including R.F. Morrison, Forest Park, École Seven Oaks Middle School, Collicut, A.E. Wright, Belmont, and Garden City Collegiate. He has a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba in the study of School Psychology. He also works outside the school division in a private practice setting engaging with clients through Child and Family Services, MacDonald Youth Services and the Manitoba Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Clinic. Daniel enjoys working collaboratively with classroom teachers, learning support teachers and school teams to provide all children and teachers of Seven Oaks School Division the supports in the classroom that they need to be successful.
Daniel Buchanan has worked as a SOTA member and School Psychologist with the Seven Oaks School Division since 2011. He has done work in multiple schools in the division including R.F. Morrison, Forest Park, École Seven Oaks Middle School, Collicut, A.E. Wright, Belmont, and Garden City Collegiate. He has a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba in the study of School Psychology. He also works outside the school division in a private practice setting engaging with clients through Child and Family Services, MacDonald Youth Services and the Manitoba Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Clinic. Daniel enjoys working collaboratively with classroom teachers, learning support teachers and school teams to provide all children and teachers of Seven Oaks School Division the supports in the classroom that they need to be successful.
Mike Giffen
Past President
MTS Aboriginal Liaison
Public Relations Co-Chair
I have been teaching since 2001. I have taught grades 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and now 7. I have been involved with Association work for over 11 years with 8 years on SOTA Executive. I have also worked on the MTS Provincial Executive from 2011-2015. From 2013-2015, I had the privilege of serving as the SOTA President. Now my role is the Past President. I look forward to continuing to work with the Executive to serve our membership.
Past President
MTS Aboriginal Liaison
Public Relations Co-Chair
I have been teaching since 2001. I have taught grades 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and now 7. I have been involved with Association work for over 11 years with 8 years on SOTA Executive. I have also worked on the MTS Provincial Executive from 2011-2015. From 2013-2015, I had the privilege of serving as the SOTA President. Now my role is the Past President. I look forward to continuing to work with the Executive to serve our membership.
Mark Behrendt
Treasurer
I am serving as Treasurer of SOTA and I am also a member of the Economic Welfare Committee. Prior to becoming treasurer, I had served as Head Councillor for my school for two years and attended the 2017 MTS AGM as an alternate delegate.
This is my seventh year as an Early Years Teacher. Currently I am a Learning Support Teacher at RF Morrison School. I was a classroom teacher at RF Morrison from 2012 to 2017. Prior to that, I was a classroom teacher in another division in the 2011/12 school year.
I was raised in a family that has been involved in the labour movement in Manitoba for several generations. This has given me an appreciation of the importance of a strong union to represent the interests of its membership. I am looking forward serving our members in a greater capacity in my new role as Treasurer.
Treasurer
I am serving as Treasurer of SOTA and I am also a member of the Economic Welfare Committee. Prior to becoming treasurer, I had served as Head Councillor for my school for two years and attended the 2017 MTS AGM as an alternate delegate.
This is my seventh year as an Early Years Teacher. Currently I am a Learning Support Teacher at RF Morrison School. I was a classroom teacher at RF Morrison from 2012 to 2017. Prior to that, I was a classroom teacher in another division in the 2011/12 school year.
I was raised in a family that has been involved in the labour movement in Manitoba for several generations. This has given me an appreciation of the importance of a strong union to represent the interests of its membership. I am looking forward serving our members in a greater capacity in my new role as Treasurer.
Niall McFadyen
I have been teaching in the Seven Oaks School Division since 2009. I began as a grade 7 teacher, and I am currently teaching multimedia and technology at École Leila North as part of the division’s TAA/TAS programs. As part of the TAA/TAS team I have taught students from schools including École Leila North, A.E. Wright, Elwick, École Seven Oaks Middle School, Amber Trails, and O.V. Jewitt.
I am a strong believer in lifelong learning, having continued to take courses throughout my teaching career in areas such as educational technology, creativity in the classroom, and special education. As a teacher I have been a volunteer coach and I have been taken part in programs and initiatives such as the 7Oaks Student Film Festival, Arts In The Park, and Student Vote. Over the past several years I have been involved with SOTA as a school rep, and in 2016-2017 school year I have been serving as my school’s head councillor.
I have been teaching in the Seven Oaks School Division since 2009. I began as a grade 7 teacher, and I am currently teaching multimedia and technology at École Leila North as part of the division’s TAA/TAS programs. As part of the TAA/TAS team I have taught students from schools including École Leila North, A.E. Wright, Elwick, École Seven Oaks Middle School, Amber Trails, and O.V. Jewitt.
I am a strong believer in lifelong learning, having continued to take courses throughout my teaching career in areas such as educational technology, creativity in the classroom, and special education. As a teacher I have been a volunteer coach and I have been taken part in programs and initiatives such as the 7Oaks Student Film Festival, Arts In The Park, and Student Vote. Over the past several years I have been involved with SOTA as a school rep, and in 2016-2017 school year I have been serving as my school’s head councillor.
Carol Sawka
Resolutions Co-Chair
I have been a teacher in Seven Oaks for 27 years. I am currently the Principal at Школа
R.F. Morrison School. Prior to this, I taught at Elwick Community School and at Maples Collegiate. I spent six years as the Student Services Coordinator in Seven Oaks and two years as Vice Principal at Maples Collegiate.
I have served on SOTA Executive for 17 years. My responsibilities included EIE Chair, PD Chair, Acorn Editor, Vice President, President and Past President (twice). This past year I am the Chair of the SOTA Nominations Committee and on the SOTA Retirement Committee. I am honoured to continue to have the opportunity to work with and for my SOTA colleagues as a member of your SOTA Executive.
Resolutions Co-Chair
I have been a teacher in Seven Oaks for 27 years. I am currently the Principal at Школа
R.F. Morrison School. Prior to this, I taught at Elwick Community School and at Maples Collegiate. I spent six years as the Student Services Coordinator in Seven Oaks and two years as Vice Principal at Maples Collegiate.
I have served on SOTA Executive for 17 years. My responsibilities included EIE Chair, PD Chair, Acorn Editor, Vice President, President and Past President (twice). This past year I am the Chair of the SOTA Nominations Committee and on the SOTA Retirement Committee. I am honoured to continue to have the opportunity to work with and for my SOTA colleagues as a member of your SOTA Executive.
Karen Vaarmeyer
Professional Issues
I have been teaching in Seven Oaks School Division for over twenty years. I have been a part of our Seven Oaks community as a student, a substitute teacher, a Middle Years teacher and currently as a Learning Support teacher at Garden City Collegiate. I began connecting with SOTA as many of us do; through the encouragement of a wonderful teacher mentor. I attended meetings first as an observer then as a councillor and later as a head councillor. Now in my third year as an Executive member, it has been my privilege to work on behalf of teachers, especially as part of the P.D. Committee. I look forward to continuing to advocate for our teachers as a member at large and on the provincial level as a part of the MTS Standing Committee on Professional Development.
Professional Issues
I have been teaching in Seven Oaks School Division for over twenty years. I have been a part of our Seven Oaks community as a student, a substitute teacher, a Middle Years teacher and currently as a Learning Support teacher at Garden City Collegiate. I began connecting with SOTA as many of us do; through the encouragement of a wonderful teacher mentor. I attended meetings first as an observer then as a councillor and later as a head councillor. Now in my third year as an Executive member, it has been my privilege to work on behalf of teachers, especially as part of the P.D. Committee. I look forward to continuing to advocate for our teachers as a member at large and on the provincial level as a part of the MTS Standing Committee on Professional Development.
Jagdeep Toor
My name is Jagdeep Singh Toor. I first joined SOTA as a co-head councillor in 2015. Presently, I am a member-at-large and enjoying learning about my new roles and responsibilities. I started with Seven Oaks School Division in 2009 as a teacher candidate, and worked as a supply teacher at H.C. Avery upon graduating in 2010. Presently, I am teaching high school students at Maples Collegiate. I teach Math, Science, and e-credit Math courses to students with limited English language skills.
Prior to my time at Seven Oaks, I was a Math and Science teacher in India for eight years. As an immigrant, I can easily relate to many of our students at Seven Oaks who are also new to Canada. Coming from a country with 22 official languages and people of all religious backgrounds, I highly value and am committed to celebrating the multiculturalism within our Seven Oaks community. I have had the opportunity to organize many cultural, educational, and social activities at both divisional and community levels as a result.
I look forward to continuing to work and learn in my role as a SOTA member-at-large in the 2017-2018 school year.
My name is Jagdeep Singh Toor. I first joined SOTA as a co-head councillor in 2015. Presently, I am a member-at-large and enjoying learning about my new roles and responsibilities. I started with Seven Oaks School Division in 2009 as a teacher candidate, and worked as a supply teacher at H.C. Avery upon graduating in 2010. Presently, I am teaching high school students at Maples Collegiate. I teach Math, Science, and e-credit Math courses to students with limited English language skills.
Prior to my time at Seven Oaks, I was a Math and Science teacher in India for eight years. As an immigrant, I can easily relate to many of our students at Seven Oaks who are also new to Canada. Coming from a country with 22 official languages and people of all religious backgrounds, I highly value and am committed to celebrating the multiculturalism within our Seven Oaks community. I have had the opportunity to organize many cultural, educational, and social activities at both divisional and community levels as a result.
I look forward to continuing to work and learn in my role as a SOTA member-at-large in the 2017-2018 school year.