MSSTA is very proud to provide social science educators from across the province of Manitoba with high quality professional development. Though our largest event is our yearly participation in the Manitoba Teachers' Society's Professional Development Day in October, we will also host other events and opportunities throughout the year.
MSSTA - MTS PD Day 2026
(Un)Settling History: Teaching and Thinking Historically in the Age of "Neutrality"
Friday, October 23, 2026
Chief Peguis Middle School, 1400 Rothesay St. Winnipeg, MB
(Un)Settling History: Teaching and Thinking Historically in the Age of "Neutrality"
Friday, October 23, 2026
Chief Peguis Middle School, 1400 Rothesay St. Winnipeg, MB
History can no longer be treated as a passive survey of the past; it is an active and often uncomfortable practice for questioning the present. (Un)Settling History: Teaching and Thinking Historically in the Age of "Neutrality" invites educators to examine how histories are constructed, whose perspectives are centred, and how claims of neutrality shape what becomes knowable, teachable, and contestable in the history classroom.
This conference calls on educators to unsettle inherited narratives by engaging students in the disciplinary work of history through explicit engagement with historical thinking concepts. Participants are also challenged to critically examine dominant settler-colonial narratives and instead centre Indigenous perspectives while considering how historical accounts are shaped, challenged, and revised rather than simply received.
Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Carla Peck from the University of Alberta, and director of the Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future project, the conference foregrounds history education as a rigorous, inquiry‑driven practice that asks students to grapple with complexity, disagreement, and uncertainty. Together, we will share critical inquiries and classroom practices that position students as active historical thinkers so they may use the past to better understand the present and navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain future with care, responsibility, and purpose.
Questions to consider for session topics include, but are not limited to:
Successful applications will receive a 50-minute time slot in which to present and can attend any other sessions of interest, by registering through MTS in the fall. To encourage Manitoba teachers to present, in addition to having their conference fees waived for both 2026 and 2027, teachers will receive one $75 gift card to a local business per original presentation. Please note, in the case of group presentations where more than one teacher is presenting, only one gift card is provided.
We know there are amazing social science teachers in this province and we want to hear from you! If you're interested in presenting, please fill out the following Google Form:
MSSTA Call for Presenters
MSSTA is also looking for interested parties who wish to host a booth at our PD Day. If interested, please fill out the following Google Form:
MSSTA Call for Displayers
Application Deadline: July 10th, 2026
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
This conference calls on educators to unsettle inherited narratives by engaging students in the disciplinary work of history through explicit engagement with historical thinking concepts. Participants are also challenged to critically examine dominant settler-colonial narratives and instead centre Indigenous perspectives while considering how historical accounts are shaped, challenged, and revised rather than simply received.
Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Carla Peck from the University of Alberta, and director of the Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future project, the conference foregrounds history education as a rigorous, inquiry‑driven practice that asks students to grapple with complexity, disagreement, and uncertainty. Together, we will share critical inquiries and classroom practices that position students as active historical thinkers so they may use the past to better understand the present and navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain future with care, responsibility, and purpose.
Questions to consider for session topics include, but are not limited to:
- How has your approach to teaching history evolved, and what pedagogical practices have most meaningfully shaped student engagement and historical understanding in your classroom?
- How do you engage students in the disciplinary work of history through inquiry, Historical Thinking Concepts, and the critical examination of narratives, evidence, and power?
- In what ways can history education move beyond Eurocentric and settler-colonial narratives to meaningfully engage Indigenous perspectives and diverse ways of knowing?
- How do current events, media landscapes, and claims of neutrality challenge history education, and how can historical thinking help students critically interpret the present?
- How can history classrooms create space for complexity, uncertainty, disagreement, and multiple perspectives while remaining constructive and meaningful for learners?
- What emotional, ethical, or relational tensions emerge when teaching difficult histories, and how do you navigate those challenges in your practice?
Successful applications will receive a 50-minute time slot in which to present and can attend any other sessions of interest, by registering through MTS in the fall. To encourage Manitoba teachers to present, in addition to having their conference fees waived for both 2026 and 2027, teachers will receive one $75 gift card to a local business per original presentation. Please note, in the case of group presentations where more than one teacher is presenting, only one gift card is provided.
We know there are amazing social science teachers in this province and we want to hear from you! If you're interested in presenting, please fill out the following Google Form:
MSSTA Call for Presenters
MSSTA is also looking for interested parties who wish to host a booth at our PD Day. If interested, please fill out the following Google Form:
MSSTA Call for Displayers
Application Deadline: July 10th, 2026
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Support for Out-of-Province Professional Development:
Interested in attending out-of-province PD? MSSTA has had a long-term partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation, Canada’s History and the Red River Heritage Fair to provide a bursary for Manitoba teachers to access out-of-province professional development opportunities. Registration is open, and funds are available.
Educators may request up to $2,500 for eligible expenses such as tuition, air travel, and accommodations for out-of-province professional development. More information can be found at: https://www.canadashistory.ca/education/manitoba-professional-development or by emailing [email protected]
Interested in attending out-of-province PD? MSSTA has had a long-term partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation, Canada’s History and the Red River Heritage Fair to provide a bursary for Manitoba teachers to access out-of-province professional development opportunities. Registration is open, and funds are available.
Educators may request up to $2,500 for eligible expenses such as tuition, air travel, and accommodations for out-of-province professional development. More information can be found at: https://www.canadashistory.ca/education/manitoba-professional-development or by emailing [email protected]
