Manitoba Government News Release–The Manitoba government is investing $3.2-million in 38 new projects under the Teachers’ Idea Fund, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced today.
“Manitoba’s Teachers’ Idea Fund provides teachers, staff and school leaders with the resources needed to develop innovative projects that support high-quality learning and positive outcomes for their students,” said Ewasko. “Our government is pleased to approve projects that will support the mental health and well-being of students and educators, and help make classrooms and schools across the province places of innovation, discovery and excitement.”
This investment is in addition to the funding of 25 multi-year projects announced in December 2021, which will continue this school year for a total of $1.7 million. To date, the Teachers’ Idea Fund has approved 162 projects in 29 school divisions for total funding of $11 million targeting learning supports, models of teaching and learning, mental health and well-being, transitions in kindergarten to Grade 12 education and engaging families and parents.
Launched in March 2021, the five-year, $25-million Teachers’ Idea Fund received proposals focused on one or more of the following mental health and well-being strategies in its spring 2022-23 intake:
• talking about mental health;
• training for teachers;
• incorporating mental health into teaching;
• providing appropriate tools and supports for students; and
• taking care of teachers and staff.
“With staff and students back to school full-time in Manitoba and in person, it is fulfilling to see school divisions, principals and teachers working together to implement innovative ideas to improve their mental health and well-being, and that of their students,” said Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Sarah Guillemard. “Open discussions about mental health in our education system can help students and staff overcome barriers and reach their full potential.”