McDowell Foundation

05/22/2026

NEW DATE: May 26

Did you know that teacher participate in research every single day in their classrooms?

As classrooms become more complex and diverse it is more important now than ever to provide opportunities for classroom teachers to formalize that research and share their knowledge with other teachers...this is where the McDowell Foundation comes in!

Join us on Wednesday May 24th at 4:00 PM for a virtual webinar sharing how McDowell works and the grants available to teachers interested in completing research.

Register here: https://www.stf.sk.ca/event/doing-research-in-your-classroom/

05/19/2026

The McDowell Foundation was privileged to once again attend the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan Annual General Meeting this year!

The STS held a Silent Auction featuring items donated by STS Chapters and STS members with all proceeds going to support the work of the McDowell Foundation.

This year the silent auction raised over $1,200! Thank-you so much to the chapters and individuals who donated items to the Silent Auction and of course those who bid on items! Your generosity inspires us.

05/06/2026

The Foundation is excited to announce the funding of the following projects as part of our recent Special Directed Calls.

The first project is Bridging the Gap: Helping Neurodivergent Students Transition to High School by researchers Natalie Rivard-Feltis, Shelly Turner, and Pam Wiberg for the Special Directed Call in Memory of Fred Herron

The second project is Student Digital Well-Being: Identifying Gaps and Opportunities for Saskatchewan Schools by researchers Dr. Bonnie Lee, Dr. Amanda Froehlich Chow, Dr. Barbara Fornssler for the Special Directed Call in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association's Gambling Awareness Program - GAP.

Congratulations to the grant recipients and we look forward to seeing the amazing work produced from these projects!

More details about these projects and all McDowell projects can be found at: https://mcdowellfoundation.ca/category/research/current-projects/

04/30/2026

Did you know that teacher participate in research every single day in their classrooms?

As classrooms become more complex and diverse it is more important now than ever to provide opportunities for classroom teachers to formalize that research and share their knowledge with other teachers...this is where the McDowell Foundation comes in!

Join us on Wednesday May 24th at 4:00 PM for a virtual webinar sharing how McDowell works and the grants available to teachers interested in completing research.

Register here: https://www.stf.sk.ca/event/doing-research-in-your-classroom/

04/28/2026

The McDowell Foundation is looking for a current classroom teacher to join our Board of Directors!

Directors provide strategic direction, financial oversight, and risk management for the Foundation. We meet roughly 4 times per year and directors are appointed for three-year terms.

For more information or to apply please contact the Foundation - [email protected]

04/24/2026

It's Volunteer Appreciation week! The McDowell Foundation is grateful for the dedication from all the people who volunteer their time to sit on our Board of Directors, Research Award Committee and Project Review Committee.

We would like to thank our current volunteers!

Board of Directors:
Diana Jemieff Hayes (President)
Callie Lewry (Vice-President)
Alexander Tawpisim
Amaya Ander
Ashley Squires
Carla Lobry
Chris Atkinson (STS)
Denise Heppner
Kelley Ehman (LEADS)
Lois Keller
Elizabeth Hutton Kristiansen (SAS)

Research Award Committee:
Chris Atkinson
Kelley Ehman
Lois Keller

Project Review Committee:
Mary Barrow
Seleste Eftoda
Troy Parenteau
Twyla Salm, University of Regina
Terry Wotherspoon, University of Saskatchewan

Thank-you for all the work you do to support teacher-led research in Saskatchewan!

04/23/2026

Attending Council this year? Check out the McDowell Booth for the latest research!

https://mcdowellfoundation.ca/council/

02/11/2026

The McDowell Foundation was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Nora Worby, who was a member of our McDowell Family. Nora was a fierce supporter and advocate for the work of the McDowell Foundation as well as just a genuinely fantastic and kind individual. She spent several years supporting McDowell as the administrative support and touched the lives of many of our researchers, board members, and staff.

Our thoughts go out to her family, friends, and all who loved her.

02/11/2026

Check out this amazing quilt made at the 20th Annual STS Stitch'n'Quilt Retreat! This quilt will be one of the items auctioned off in the Foundation's third annual Silent Auction at the upcoming STS AGM in May.

If you or your STS Chapter would like to provide an item for the Silent Auction please contact Nicole Tainsh at [email protected].

Keep an eye out for more details on the silent auction coming soon!

02/09/2026

🍎 Happy Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week from the McDowell Foundation!

The work of the McDowell Foundation is only possible thanks to the dedication of teachers and school staff! Whether acting as researchers, board members, project reviewers, or donors, everything the Foundation does is guided by educators!