Boozhoo. Taanshi. Waabishki Mashkode-Bizhiki nindizhinakaaz. Migizi nindoodem. Michif niya. Winnipeg d-oschiin. Ma paraañtii kayaash aschi La Rivyer Roozh kii-aschiiwak. My given name is Ben. I am a Métis, neurodivergent, nonbinary teacher and advocate.
I’ve been a teacher since 2005, and have worked in a variety of grades and schools. My career began with a brief two-month term at Beausejour Early Years School in Sunrise School Division, the May/June of my graduation year. I taught half-time grade five math and science and had the joyful experience of supporting my students in running a bake and craft sale to raise money for the Children’s Hospital.
In the fall, I returned to my old stomping grounds, the Seven Oaks School Division, where I have been for the rest of my teaching career. I spent my first seven years teaching grades 1/2/3 multiage at a few small community schools. I learned a lot from these years, and credit much of the pedagogy I have developed to my time working with these young learners and studying Reggio Emelia-inspired practice.
I began moving up in grades, and had the amazing opportunity to be one of the opening staff at Amber Trails Community School, where I entered Middle Years teaching as a classroom generalist and Media Production teacher. I also taught Middle Years at Edmund Partridge Community School.
When I needed another shift into something new, I moved into my current placement as an English and Technology teacher at the Adult Education Centre (still in Seven Oaks). Here I get to support adult learners, mostly seeking mature diplomas. The bulk of the students that I see are either Newcomers or people that the public education system didn’t work for. My effort has shifted to supporting adults in healing their school trauma in order to reach their life goals. I am learning a lot from my adult students!
All of this means that I have had the amazing opportunity to wear many hats over my career. I have been a one-teacher-one-class teacher in grades one through eight, in both single-grade and multiage settings. As part of a school’s opening staff I have also launched a Middle Years Media Production program. I have also had the true pleasure of working with adult learners as an English and Technology teacher, showing a different side of public education.
I can’t wait to see what comes next for me as an educator!
I’ve been connected with public education since before I was born. My parents met at a Seven Oaks Teachers’ Association volleyball social and I met my co-parent at a new teacher workshop. Over my early career, I had the opportunity to be on staff with both of my parents. My own children also attend public school, giving me the lived perspectives of a student, teacher, and parent within the educational system.
My oldest child was born in 2011, with the second to follow two years later. Having two adolescent children certainly keeps you busy, and we face our share of challenges in navigating the ups and downs that life throws at us, but our family unit is good at taking care of each other.
I am a self-described house-cat (although I’m a dog person), and most of my hobbies keep me indoors. I love having hobbies, and it’s not unusual for me to jump from one to another as my interest in piqued. No matter what the hobby of the month is for me, it usually provides a creative outlet of some kind, or connects with my deep passion for equity work. One hobby that never seems to fade though, is cooking. I see it as a way of showing my love and creativity through a homemade meal.
I’m also a huge fan of games, and have winnowed my board game collection down to about 150. My current favourite games are: Wingspan, Everdell, Takonoko, and Dominion. I have also been playing Table-Top Role-Playing games (TTRPGs) for many years, and enjoy the creative outlet they provide. Video games have also been a through line in my life, though I play them far less than I used to.
The DEN
2021-Present
I have been a co-facilitator of The DEN (Diversifying the Enby Network) since 2021. It is a community-based social support group for nonbinary and gender-questioning adults hosted by Rainbow Resource Centre. The goal is to provide a safe space for folx to explore and find community and support. We had the amazing opportunity to Group Marshall Winnipeg Pride 2024! Learn more about them by clicking their logo.
Full Circle for Indigenous Education
2020-2025
I served as a Member of Council for Full Circle for Indigenous Education, an Indigenous-led charity that focuses on supporting Manitoba teachers with the important work of meaningfully working with Indigenous Ways-of-Knowing and Being. Please read more about them by clicking their logo.
