News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

October 20, 2021

Province Announces another Round of Successful Applications to the 2021 Teachers' Idea Fund

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More than 50 Projects Announced For Front-Line Classroom Supports: Cullen

The Manitoba government has approved more than 50 additional successful project applications totalling $954,082 in funding as part of the 2021 Teachers’ Idea Fund, Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.

“We launched the five-year fund in March, and we have already provided funding for 27 innovative ideas,” said Cullen. “It is gratifying that this program has inspired more great ideas from teachers, staff and school leaders to enhance classroom supports and improve student outcomes and well-being, and we are happy to provide funding for an additional 53 projects.”

The Teachers’ Idea Fund review panel recommended 53 applications, which brings the total of approved projects to nearly $1.4 million to fund ideas from teachers, staff and school leaders. Funds will help support projects such as:

  • improving literacy outcomes;
  • introducing robotics;
  • constructing an outdoor classroom;
  • creating a space to promote diversity and inclusion and student engagement;
  • establishing language and phonological supports to enhance the ability to recognize and work with sounds in spoken language; and
  • producing a student film festival on human rights in partnership with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

One of the new projects receiving funding supports land-based learning for early years students at Juniper School in the School District of Mystery Lake. An investment of $14,090 will aid in the expansion and sustainability of this program, which has extensive support from the local community. Elders and knowledge keepers provide direction for each season, with divisional math and literacy specialists incorporating concepts and tools important for student success. Implemented by early years classroom teachers at Juniper School, the Teachers’ Idea Fund will allow the program to include kindergarten to Grade 2 students.

“Land-based education is a very important part of Juniper School as it allows students to attach meaning to the world around them. This whole-world approach, now expanded to include K-12, will allow children to learn in a holistic way through land-based opportunities,” Alysa Ferguson, teacher, Juniper School, School District of Mystery Lake. “Our students have always benefited through active participation. Opportunities for oral communication, along with practical application and experiences are important to their learning and understanding. The variety of teaching and assessment strategies enriches our children by allowing them to build upon diverse knowledge, culture, communication, skills, attitudes, experiences and learning styles.”

The minister also noted that a new, multi-year Teachers’ Idea Fund application to support innovative projects valued at more than $25,000 is available online. Educators are encouraged to apply for funding for projects that meet the following criteria:

  • minimum timeframe of two school years, maximum timeframe of five school years (2021-22 to 2025-26); and
  • maximum funding per year is $150,000.

“We continue to accept and review applications for the Teachers’ Idea Fund as part of a continuous intake process,” said Cullen. “Educators and school staff are encouraged to participate in implementing projects that can have a positive impact on Manitoba classrooms.”

The Manitoba Commission on Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education confirmed that investing in and supporting teachers and school staff is pivotal to the success of any education system improvement efforts. Investing in diverse ideas will help to develop a culture of innovation in the education system, benefitting students now and for years to come, the minister said.

“The $25-million fund is a priority action of the Better Education Starts Today strategy,” said Cullen. “This fund will support projects based on the themes of targeted learning supports, models of teaching and learning, mental health and well-being, transitions in K-12 education, and family and parent engagement.”

The minister also expressed his appreciation to the members of the application review panel for their time and effort in support of this important initiative.

Application forms are available as well as a showcase of videos from some of this years’ awarded recipients at https://bettereducationmb.ca/teachers-idea-fund/.

 

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED




BACKGROUND INFORMATION
APPROVED 2021 TEACHERS’ IDEA FUND APPLICATION - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/BG-APPROVED_2021_TEACHERS_FUND_PROJECTS.pdf