The people behind TEAL Manitoba

Our executive is made up of EAL educators from across Manitoba who volunteer their time to build a stronger professional community for teachers of English language learners. They plan events, lead advocacy, and keep TEAL Manitoba running year-round. Consider joining the executive today!

MEET THE TEAM

Executive Members

Our executive brings a wide range of experience, school divisions, and grade levels—united by a commitment to supporting EAL learners and their teachers across Manitoba.

IL

President

Ian Lindal

Ian began his teaching career with EAL learners at an international school in Thailand before joining Fort Richmond Collegiate. Since 2018, he has worked across E-courses in English, Science, Computers, History, and Geography.

LI

Treasurer

Luisa Igne

Born in the Philippines, Luisa immigrated to Canada in 1980. She spent 23 years teaching EAL at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, including over a decade leading the EAL/LAL Centre. There, she supported newcomer students with interrupted education in developing foundational skills in English, Math, and Science. She now teaches EAL and ELA at the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre.

LG

MTS PD Co-Chair

Lisa Goolcharan

Lisa Goolcharan is an experienced Manitoba educator whose career spans international teaching, multi-age classroom instruction, curriculum development, and provincial leadership. She has a strong background in literacy education, learning and assessment design, and supporting multilingual learners in diverse educational contexts. Lisa currently serves as a Language and Literacies Consultant with Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning, where she supports EAL/LAL programming, international and heritage languages, literacy, and curriculum development and implementation.

DT

MTS PD Co-Chair

Diana Turner

Diana Turner is a seasoned Manitoba educator with over 30 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, curriculum development, and provincial leadership. She spent 15 years as a K–12 Education Consultant and Manager with Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning and has a strong background in ESL/EAL and English Language Arts. Diana currently serves as a Practicum Advisor at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Education, where she mentors the next generation of teachers.

JM

Mini PD Chair

Jayesh Maniar

Jayesh retired after 46 years in education as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and EAL consultant at both the divisional and provincial level. His M.Ed. thesis focused on teacher expectations of EAL learners. He also serves as President of the Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba and as a Director on the Board of LiteracyWorks.

SL

Secretary

Shelley Luo

AF

Social Media

Ariel Fernando

Ariel has 20 years of experience as an educator, beginning as a high school English teacher in the Philippines before moving to Canada in 2014. He completed his B.Ed. and CTESL at the University of Winnipeg and currently teaches LAL/EAL in River East Transcona School Division. He is also Director for Production of the MUSICA Singers of Manitoba.

IG

Member At Large

Iurii Galas

ET

Member At Large

Elena Tepperman

With over 12 years of experience teaching English in the US and Canada, Elena currently works with EAL students in River East Transcona School Division.

GET INVOLVED

Shape the future of EAL education in Manitoba

TEAL Manitoba's executive is made up of working educators who give their time to strengthen the EAL community. Joining the executive is a chance to have a real voice in professional development, connect with educators across the province, and grow your own leadership skills — all while supporting the teachers and learners who need it most.

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Have a voice on future PD

Help shape the professional development opportunities TEAL Manitoba offers — from Mini PD topics to conference themes and speakers.

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Connect with EAL educators

Build meaningful relationships with colleagues from different school divisions, grade levels, and educational settings across Manitoba.

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Hybrid meetings — join from anywhere

Executive meetings are held in a hybrid format, so you can participate whether you're in Winnipeg or elsewhere in Manitoba.

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Education honorariums

The President, MTS PD Co-Chairs, Treasurer, and Secretary receive honoraria for their own professional education and development.