An offer of support from the Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS) was extended to the Hanover School Division in regards to the ongoing discussions of LGBTTQ policies.

The offer was made during Wednesday night's public board meeting and MTS President Norm Gould says their priority is to provide quality public education and foster a safe learning environment for all Manitobans, adding the HSD mission statement reads, "Hanover is a student-centered school division striving for excellence while developing skills and promoting values for a productive and wholesome life."

Gould notes the statement recognizes the division being student-centered, adding it is all about the children having every opportunity to be successful, included, respected and, most importantly, feel safe in their classrooms, hallways, and on the playground. He says HSD has already made contributions in embracing differences, which has not gone unnoticed.

"Over the years the population of new Canadians settling in southeast Manitoba has exploded. As our communities have grown, the faces of our students in our classrooms have diversified. With this diversification comes new complexities that create challenges and opportunities for students, teachers, parents and you folks (the board). Your contributions to making HSD a leader in embracing cultural diversity have been well documented locally and have not gone unnoticed across Manitoba."

He adds an acknowledgment to the parents and students who were courageous in their efforts to come before the board in recent meetings, share their stories, and encourage changes to divisional policies to create a more inclusive learning environment.

Gould says there needs to be assurance for all students to be sure they are in a safe and nurturing learning environment and questions how tragic events, such as suicide over bullying and harassment, can be used as a catalyst for change to prevent future tragedies. He notes, in other areas, these events have lead to the development of policies aimed at curbing harassment towards LGBTTQ students and creating inclusive school environments.

"Successes of the LGBTTQ civil rights movement in North America and the more prominent role openly gay people are playing in the public eye have heightened the awareness of the necessity for our schools and our communities to be more responsive and reflective, faster than some of us are prepared or ready for. We know it's hard. We aren't downplaying or dismissing what you as school trustees and the community wrestle with. We, the Manitoba Teachers' Society, totally understand and recognize that change isn't easy. We get that this topic triggers reactions in some people."

Gould says earlier this year MTS supported academic research for the Universities of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Colorado for the release of the final report of the Every Teacher project. This project was an online survey for Canadian Kindergarten to Grade 9 educators and explored the perceptions and experiences of LGBTTQ inclusive education. He notes the project surveyed thousands of educators, one in ten were from Manitoba, equalling 1,400 Manitoba educators. He says the results indicated that there is considerable support among Manitoba educators for LGBTTQ inclusive education, however, there was a corresponding trepidation in regards to training and preparedness.

As a side-note, Gould acknowledges the great work staff and trustees within HSD have done to create an innovative, inclusive and supportive learning environment. He goes on to say MTS recognizes change is difficult and there are conflicting interests and perspectives in play, adding, at the end of the day, the main purpose of each conversation comes back to the students.

"Change doesn't come easily and we cannot control when change is going to happen, but we can control how we react to change when it's thrust upon us and decide who will walk beside us along this journey."

Gould re-states, an offer of services, expertise and connections is being presented to HSD. He says they want to help HSD come closer to achieving a safe and inclusive learning environment and hopes they will be able to work together and walk with them side-by-side in this journey.

The Hanover School Division made a statement last week in regards to the Human Rights complaint stating no further comments will be made at this time in regards to the LGBTTQ issues out of respect for the formal complaint process.

Read More:
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Human Rights Complaint Filed Against Hanover School Division
HSD Receiving Much Response After Recent Presentations
Hanover Trustees Respond To LGBTQ Request
Parent Concerned About Discrimination In The Classroom
HSD Responds To Parent's Concern Of Discrimination
Student Concerned About Hanover Policies Being Discriminating