Fourteen Brandon University undergraduate students made their mark at WestCAST 2026, hosted by the University of Winnipeg earlier this month (Feb. 18–20). Uniting more than 400 emerging educators and faculty mentors from across Canada and the West Indies under the theme Together, We Grow, the conference gave BU’s delegation something rare and powerful: a national platform to share original scholarship before they’ve even begun their teaching career.
The conference opened at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights with a keynote by acclaimed author David A. Robertson, anchored by the late Murray Sinclair’s four guiding questions: Where do I come from? Why am I here? Who am I? and Where am I going?
The spirit of identity, purpose, and responsibility ran through every BU presentation, which included the following original research, inquiry projects, workshops, and panel discussions:
- Mathieuw Blakely: La classe collabo-réflexive en action: Une introduction interactive
- Adanna Denys-Peters: Itinéraires de transport actif sécuritaires / Safe Active Transportation Routes
- Elizabeth Glenn: hUDL Up! – Teaching Physical Education with UDL in Mind
- Arushi Sapra, Caden Alexander Pedlow, Cassidy Jade Griemann, Cassidy Rayne Steele & Tallon Layne Anderson: Affordances of Arts-Based Initiatives in Rural Classrooms: Building Community Through Discomfort
- Jared Gross: Kuriki: Organizing Curriculum Outcomes for Teachers – Together, We Grow
- Ayden Lambert: Exploring Indigenous Identity through Photovoice/Film
- Felicity Nepinak-Hart, Cheyanne Seaton, Brittany Knight & Ethen Laugher: Growing on Our Own Terms: Indigenous Teacher Candidates’ Stories of Practicum, Barriers, and Belonging in Manitoba (Panel Discussion with co-moderators: Shawna Philpott and Bobbie-Jo Leclair)
- Caden Alexander Pedlow: Strengthening Rural and Northern Manitoba Mathematics: The Numeracy Achievement Program (NAP) Overview and Evaluation
Faculty and educational leaders from across the region took notice, commending BU’s delegation for their intellectual depth, professionalism, and commitment to inclusive, justice-oriented education.
The panel on Indigenous teacher candidates’ experiences was especially significant. Joining the BU presenters as co-moderator was Bobbie-Jo Leclair, a powerful voice for Indigenous education in Manitoba. Bobbie-Jo currently serves as the Provincial Lead for the Indigenous Excellence for Education Team, spearheading Manitoba’s Indigenous, Northern and Language teacher recruitment and retention strategy. Her presence alongside student presenters was a testament to the real-world relevance and community resonance of their discussion.
Supporting the full delegation were Director of Field Experience, Shawna Philpott and Director of the BU CARES Research Centre, Dr. Gustavo Moura, who guided and championed the students throughout the conference.
“Undergraduate research creates a powerful shift,” said Philpott. “When teacher candidates engage in research, they begin to step into their power and see themselves as change makers in education.”
Dr. Moura echoed that vision.
“When students share their work on a national stage, they recognize that research is not reserved for later in their careers,” he said. “It is a way of thinking and growing that can begin now.”
WestCAST 2026 was more than a conference. For these 14 students, it was the moment they stepped fully into their identities as scholars, educators, and agents of change.
Photos from WestCAST 2026
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