The Speakers

https://www.mikmawitasik.ca/member-profile/theresa-meuse-tm102223/ 

Theresa Meuse, from Bear River Mi’kmaw Community, is a Mi’kmaw author, educator, and cultural knowledge sharer dedicated to fostering understanding and reconciliation. Through her work, Theresa develops and delivers educational workshops, crafts culturally enriching resources, and writes stories that bring Mi’kmaw traditions and teachings to audiences of all ages.

As the author of four books: L’nu’k: The People: Mi’kmaw History, Culture and Heritage; The Gathering; Sweet Grass; and The Sharing Circle, Theresa uses storytelling to celebrate and preserve Mi’kmaw culture. Her publications emphasize themes of connection, education, and reflection, serving as valuable tools for cultural learning and awareness.

Born and raised in Cape Breton, the eldest sister in all the ways that count beyond just the birth order. Graduated from Auburn Drive High School, Saint Mary’s University, University of Maine at Fort Kent and St.F.X. University, leap frogging her way into the teaching world with her younger sister running a parallel path. Life handed her lots of organic learning opportunities which could be viewed as hardship if value wasn’t found in sharing those lessons with others so they can avoid the first hand experiences that Jennifer walked through. As a mama bear to two cubs- Georgia, 12, and Seamus, 6, her life is busy but her heart is full. Jennifer will help you see that even when you are teaching tomorrow's greatest leaders how to be their very best selves you can also teach yourself how to live your very best life, no matter the speed bumps along the way.

Mae Cameron is an educator originally from Summerside, PEI. She completed a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education at the University of New Brunswick, and earned her Master’s degree from UNB in 2018. She has taught at all grade levels in schools throughout Fredericton and Campbellton, NB. After two years at the middle school level, she joined Sugarloaf Senior High School in 2007, where she continues to coach. In Fall 2022, Mae began serving as the Physical Education Lead for Anglophone North School District (ASD-N), a role she currently holds.

Mae’s contributions to physical education have been recognized provincially and nationally, with honours including the NBPES Teacher of the Year Award, the PHE Canada Impact Award, the NBPES Norm Russell Leadership Award, and the Inclusive Active Schools Leadership Award from Ability NB. She holds her Yoga Teacher Training certification, coaches girls’ soccer, basketball, and volleyball, and also serves as a certified volleyball referee.

Dawn has 27 years of classroom teaching experience, including 12 years as a teaching administrator. She joined the staff of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association in 2021 and currently serves as Director of Early Career and School Leader Support. In this role, she works collaboratively with school districts and the Department of Education to strengthen supports for early career teachers. She has been a strong advocate for a provincial mentorship program, and in September 2025, her persistence paid off. Although still in its infancy, it's a good start. Dawn strongly believes that supporting new teachers is critical to addressing the retention and recruitment challenges facing every province today.

Michael Walter is the Program Specialist for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation with NLSchools in Newfoundland and Labrador. With both a B.Ed. and an M.Ed. from Memorial University, He spent 17 years as a K-6 Teacher-Librarian. In the library, Michael built a culture of literacy by sharing hilarious books and sparked an interest in technology by teaching coding—a process that often miraculously resulted in students programming fart sounds on a loop, yet also resulted in genuine, effective learning. Dedicated to empowering educators with technology, Michael also served on the NLTA’s Technology Special Interest Council for eight years.