About the Manitoba Reading Association

The Manitoba Reading Association (MRA) is a provincial council of the International Literacy Association. As a non-profit organization run by volunteers consisting of teachers, librarians, students, and parents, we are committed to the promotion of literacy and to the improvement of literacy instruction throughout Manitoba. Furthermore, MRA supports Manitoba's local reading councils. 

What We Do:

• Provide inservice opportunities for educators, parents, students, etc.
• Network with other literacy organizations throughout the province.
• Evaluate current and future instructional practises in the areas of literacy.
• Sponsor an international and provincial literacy project annually. 
• Support the International Literacy Association (ILA) by publicizing its worldwide literacy activities and by promoting its extensive selection of publications and brochures.

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Recent Highlights

• MRA hosted a virtual Professional Learning Series during the 2021/22 school year, with outstanding presenters:
  • David A Robertson
  • Stacey Bradley and Ellen Bees
  • Dr. Pamela Toulouse
  • Tara Mclauchlan
  • Indigenous Women in Publishing Panel: Natasha Donovan, Christine M'Lot, Jen Storm and Katherena Vermette 
  • Carol Jago
• MRA supports executive members to attend the International Literacy Association's Annual Conference and Exhibits. This allows our members to keep informed and connected to the most current research in the field.
• MRA has continued to build a strong presence on social media, networking educators across the province and beyond. We host Twitter chats and have regular book draws. We appreciate donations from publishers and authors.
• Our volunteer executive is represented by urban, rural, and northern members and each has a wealth of experience and skill. We strive to find new ways to innovative and to support our Manitoba educators, parents, and students. We have held meeting and sessions in the Millennium Library and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. 
• MRA supports the work of four member councils in the province.

Accepting the ILA Award of Excellence at the 2017 ILA Annual Conference (L-R: Carol Hryniuk-Adamov, Former Provincial Co-ordinator; Lori DiGisi, ILA Board; Arlene Kinden, MRA Treasurer; Tiffany Sears, ILA; Barbara Lepp, Provincial Coordinator).

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Board of Directors

Click here to contact the Manitoba Reading Association, or reach out on Twitter. 

Executive Positions

Position	Name
ILA Provincial Coordinator	Cathy-Ann Winters
Past President	Lori Emilson
President	Stacey Bradley
President-Elect	Joanne Mulvena
Vice-President	Vacant
Recording & Corresponding Secretary	Carina Romagnoli
Treasurer	Barbara Reimer
Director of Membership Development	Carina Romagnoli

Members-at-Large

Adult Literacy – Barbara Reimer
First Nations – ​Arlene Flatfoot
Northern MB – Vacant
Manitoba Education – Angie Burdett
Hutterite Representative – Vacant
University of Manitoba Representative – Vacant
University of Winnipeg Representative – Vacant
Brandon University Representative – Vacant
Westman Region Representative – Vacant
Eastman Region Representative – Vacant
Early Literacy – Vacant
Technology: Website – Lori Emilson
Technology: Public Relations and Social Media – Carina Romagnoli
General Members-at-Large – Alison Marttila 
French Immersion – Vacant

Council Representatives

 Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg – Linda McPherson and Andrew Crawford
Manitoba Council of Reading Clinicians – Carol Hryniuk-Adamov and Sandra Janzen
Pembina Escarpment Reading Council – Lisa Carlson and Angela Mills
Brandon Reading Council – Stacey Bradley