Candidates to be electedPRESIDENT (One to be elected) VICE-PRESIDENTS (Two to be elected)

Publication Mail Agreement #40065477

ATANEWS News Publication of The Alberta Teachers’ AssociationJanuary 31, 2017 Volume 51, Number 10

Inside:Regular issue of the ATA News

NORTH WEST (One to be elected)

See page 5

Lori Cox Peter MacKay

Lori Szmul

EDMONTON MCMURRAY(Three to be elected)

See page 6

Nancy Ball Darrin Bauer Markiana Cyncar-Hryschuk

Patrick JohnerCarmen Glossop

CALGARY CITY(Three to be elected)

See page 4

Joanne Boissonneault

Heide Doppmeier

Kent KinsmanKathy Hoehn

CENTRAL(One to be elected)

See page 5

Jere Geiger

Kim Mason

DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES

Greg Jeffery Kelly Maroney Robert Twerdoclib

Jason Schilling Diane Sellars-Myshchyshyn

Greg Carabine Myrna McLean Jenny Regal

See page 2 for bios and statements See page 3

Elected by acclamationCandidates in the following districts have been acclaimed (see pages 7-8): Calgary District, Central East, Central South, Edmonton District, South East and South West.

No candidates were nominated in the Central North district. A byelection will be held to fill the vacancy.

2 ❚ The ATA News, January 31, 2017

Greg Jeffery

Over the past two years we have been

telling the story of pub-lic education and how we are ensuring that it is a positive story. Over the course of my career I have witnessed the five per cent rollback

by the brand new Ralph Klein administration, the historical rally for public education at the Alberta legislature, the massive job action in 2002 and the resolution of the unfunded li-ability of the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund in 2007.

During these historical times I was active as an Economic Policy Committee (EPC) member,

EPC chair, local president and as a member of Provincial Executive Council, respectively. I have lived a significant part of our story during my career and have worked towards improv-ing the lot of teachers and students in every instance. While not every ending was positive (-5%) I believe we are much better off than when I started.

An important subplot for me is increased recognition of teachers as professionals. I want to enhance our professional development capacity and work towards our Association becoming the granting body for teacher certi-fication. Our Association must have leadership that is passionate, experienced and committed in order that our goals continue to be realized. I believe that my track record is exemplary in regard to these traits, and I ask for your vote so that I can help move us all forward in the next chapter of our story.

Greg is a junior high teacher in Fort Saskatch-ewan, teaching math and band. He is a proud mem-ber of Elk Island Local No. 28. Greg represented Edmonton District as district representative on Provincial Executive Council for 10 years and for the last four years has been vice-president of the Association. Previous to that he was local president for four years, EPC chair for three years and local secretary for eight.

Greg chairs or has chaired many provincial committees including Finance, Resolutions, Public Education, Political Engagement, Host Commit-tee for the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Annual General Meeting, Committee for the Renovation of Seymour Tower, Election Readiness and most recently Central Table Bargaining. He has been involved in Association governance since the first year of his career. Greg is married to Joan, an el-ementary music teacher, and has two children and one amazing grandson.

Kelly Maroney

It is my position that teachers have lost

considerable ground financially. I would advocate against the signing of any contract that would see anything other than a recovery of

that purchasing power that has been lost as a result of the penultimate contract. I would ad-vocate a return to the contract the provision of tying teachers’ salaries to the Average Weekly Earning Index for Alberta.

Teachers are being asked to accommodate more and more educational initiatives with-out compensation for the time involved in the implementation of these initiatives. I would advocate for recognition of the teachers’ time involved and advocate further for provisions to be made in the allotment of teachers’ time to any new initiatives.

Assignable time has been and remains a significant issue. Teachers are being spread thin while being asked to accommodate more and more. This results in negative effects to

teachers’ well-being. The success of students is tied directly to the well-being of teachers.

Preparation time is essential for quality instruction and assessment. Teachers are be-ing asked to perform at a very high standard while working in an environment that seems neither to understand nor respect the degree to which adequate preparation time is essential for teacher well-being and student success.

Extracurricular work is essential for our schools’ cultures and communities. Teachers are the only professionals for which there re-mains an expectation of volunteerism in order to offer and operate many extracurricular ac-tivities. I would advocate strongly for this time to be accounted for as paid time.

Class size is and will remain a key concern for teachers in the conduct of their professional work. Inclusive classrooms have great promise; however, consideration for the complexities of an inclusive classroom and the issue of class size generally are lost. I will advocate for firm class-size limits.

Teachers are professionals. This understand-ing is essential. The efficacy of teachers in their work demands formal recognition of teachers as professionals.

International partnerships are more and

more common; however, the benefit to work-ing professional teachers has yet to be proven. Tremendous ATA resources have been and are allocated to these international partnerships. I would advocate for a review of the partnerships to assess whether they provide significant benefit to working teachers.

Inclusive classrooms, ELL students, in-creased complexities in challenges to learning are all part of the modern classroom. These developments come with little or no support. I will advocate for adequate supports for teachers working in the context of inclusive classrooms.

Kelly was born in Calgary and has lived in Al-berta for most of his adult life. He is the father of two fine young people, both of whom are studying at the university level.

After having graduated from the University of Alberta, Mr. Maroney took a teaching position with Edmonton Public Schools as a social studies/humanities teacher. Kelly has taught each of the social studies courses at the high school level. As well, Kelly has taught theory of knowledge in the International Baccalaureate program at two dif-ferent schools in Edmonton.

PRESIDENT (One to be elected)PR

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Robert Twerdoclib

I am honoured to present my com-

mitment to public edu-cation and myself as a candidate for president.

Conditions of practiceWorking conditions continue to deteriorate

and as many schools reach capacity, others see declining enrolments: conditions are likely to worsen not improve. As president I will champion• reducing class size and improving support

and resources for inclusion,• reducing bureaucracy and• investing in the professional development

and FNMI training of all teachers.

Collective bargainingThe year 2016 saw a new approach with cen-

tral table and local bargaining. While this was legislated, we worked to develop checks and balances: now we need to appraise the process. As president, I will champion• stronger and more significant roles for locals

in central table bargaining,• a stronger role for local bargaining on condi-

tions of practice and

• strong emphasis on sustaining and devel-oping the careers of teachers — too many teachers are leaving the profession.

Member engagementThe ATA is its membership. After consecutive

long-term contracts, ATA member engagement has waned. Member engagement must be our primary focus. As president I will champion• a northern, central and southern structure

for the ATA — becoming more local while retaining our provincial and global focus;

• articulation of our strategic plan with focus on member commitment to achieve the As-sociation’s Preferred Futures vision; and

• focusing resources on turning policy into action, starting with conditions of practice, professional autonomy, public assurance and technology.

Curriculum change and developmentThe partnership between the ATA and

government on curriculum reform is getting mixed, reviews: many say it is good and work-ing, and others call it flawed and phony. As president I will champion• ATA specialist councils as the vehicles for

curriculum re-development;• creative approaches to teacher-developed

assessments, utilizing our research Renew-ing Alberta’s Promise: A Great School for All and the Alberta Assessment Consortium; and

• use of technology in schools based on our Growing Up Digital research.I have been a public school teacher for close

to 30 years, and my passion for education con-tinues to grow each time I see students and teachers do remarkable things. I have taught in rural and urban Alberta, at community schools, outreach centres and schools in villages, towns and cities. I started as a substitute teacher, worked under temporary contracts, and have taught grades 3 to 12, including four years as a special education teacher.

My BEd is in secondary social studies and my MEd is in teacher leadership. With the National Geographic Society in Washington D.C., I completed teacher consultant fellow-ships over three summers. I worked for Alberta Education as a curriculum consultant in social studies and English language arts. I have in-structed at NAIT, served as a sessional instruc-tor at Queens, and volunteered two summers in Belize, assisting indigenous teachers with curriculum and instruction.

Teachers from across Alberta elected me twice as ATA vice-president; I was elected to two terms as Central North district representa-tive. I was also elected president of Parkland Teachers’ Local No. 10 and served as spokes-person during a lockout and again during a 21-day strike which resulted in the Parkland 907 settlement.

WHO CAN VOTE FOR THIS POSTION?Active members and associate members province wide.

The ATA News, January 31, 2017 ❚ 3

Diane Sellars-Myshchyshyn

As district represen-tative for Calgary

since 2010, I have grown the experience, knowl-edge and connections required of a vice-pres-ident and a deep under-standing of what needs

to be done to advance the profession. Members want improved working conditions, fair compen-sation and professional autonomy. I will be force-ful, principled and strategic in promoting these issues. I will hold the government responsible

for funding a public education system that sup-ports all students and teachers while advancing the values of a diverse and progressive society. I will insist that members have a valued and respected voice in decision-making and profes-sional learning, and the authority to carry out their role as identified in the School Act.

Members must see the value of membership and, accordingly, I will promote solutions that engage members in the ATA’s work, democracy and mission. I will help build a strong and co-hesive Provincial Executive Council that works to promote the issues debated and approved by the Annual Representative Assembly. I will bring a focus on equity as a means to ensure income growth and stability, pension security and the at-traction, retention and advancement of teachers.

The voice of teachers must be heard, and I am prepared to do this work for you. It would be an honour to serve you as vice-president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

I am a learning support teacher at École Manachaban Middle School and have worked with Rocky View Schools for 25 years. As district representative, I have served on various com-mittees, including Resolutions, Finance, Strategic Planning, and chair of Diversity, Equity and Hu-man Rights. I am also a member of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Advisory Committee on the Status of Women. I have proudly served Rocky View teachers in various capacities including as vice-president and president. For more informa-tion, visit www.dianesellars.ca.

Greg Carabine

It’s in my DNA! My aunt Róisín was

the president of the Irish National Teachers’ Or-ganization and my dad was an ARA delegate. I’m asking for your sup-port in becoming a vice-president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

I’m the person who points and says “what about that elephant?”

Given the opportunity and responsibility of being your vice-president, I promise to have

unrelenting persistence in pursuing the improve-ment of our professional working conditions. None of us are afraid of the hard work that it takes to do this job well. What we do need is the support from this government, our school boards and society.

I will work towards the day when newspaper reporters and society judge that our professional ability to assess our students is worth more than any high-stakes government exam. That won’t happen by itself. Change requires action! It will take all of us, public, Catholic and Francophone working together, to show Albertans that we will continue to be consummate professionals.

I promise to do all this in the most transparent

way and to be accessible and accountable to the members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

Greg teaches chemistry and physics at Austin O’Brien High School where he also coaches football and badminton. He has been the president of Edmon-ton Catholic Teachers Local No. 54 for the past five years, chair of the first teacher gay-straight alliance in ATA history, Finance chair and Economic Policy Committee member. Provincially, Greg has served on the Teacher Welfare Services Committee and Profes-sional Practice Appeal Committee. Greg is currently the secretary of the Education Society of Edmonton.

For more information go to gregcarabine.com.

VICE

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Jenny Regal

The NDP formed a new government

in 2015. Since then, we have seen changes in our lives as teachers. The government restored funding for growth in Alberta schools and pro-vided additional support for English-language

learners and indigenous students. New schools promised by the previous government finally opened across the province. Bill 8 changed the face of bargaining as we knew it. The minister an-nounced a new resource to assist school boards in

supporting welcoming, caring, safe and respectful schools. Alberta Education committed to a joint commission to action that supports teacher pro-fessional development related to First Nations, Métis and Inuit history and culture. New curricula are being developed in six subject areas over a six-year period.

Meanwhile, some of our issues are on the back burner: concerns about the Student Learning Assessment program, lack of progress on a new assessment program as it relates to new curri-cula, expansion of international benchmarking activities, and continuing an outdated provincial achievement testing model, among others.

Your new Provincial Executive Council must walk a fine line between working with and sup-porting current government initiatives that are

in public education’s best interests and being a strong voice of caution when those best interests will not be served. Strong leadership at the PEC table can ensure accountability and progress. I commit to be your strong voice in the ongoing struggle to achieve teaching and learning condi-tions that meet the needs of students and teachers across Alberta.

I teach Grade 5 at Captain Nichola Goddard School. I have served both Calgary locals as dis-trict representative for three years. I have actively participated in Local No.38 business for more than two decades, and served on its executive committee for over 17 years as Economic Policy Committee chair, vice-president, president and past president. Contact me at jennyregal98@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Jason Schilling

I believe in advocating for the teaching pro-

fession and our students. As much as others try to segregate the two, they are intertwined. Being a teacher is not just my job. Like you, being a teacher encompasses all aspects of my life. Advocating for

education has always been a central part of my professional career.

I have been district representative for the South West for the last eight years, and representing

the professional development needs, workload concerns, accountability issues and classroom conditions of my colleagues has been paramount to the work that I do. Advocacy is vitally important as teachers continue to face increasing demands in their complex classrooms. I find advocacy work fulfilling, and I have learned that leaders must be courageous when they advocate for those who have no voice.

Throughout my career, I have come to value the ATA and the work it does daily to enhance our profession. When we use our voice, we create hope and as Margaret Wheatley stated, “hope … is the essence of being human;” by working together, we strengthen our resolve for what we believe

in — our students and public education. It would be my desire as vice-president of the ATA to help enhance every teacher’s voice. I want to continu-ally improve on building capacity within the ATA as it becomes a resilient and agile organization that is valued by all members.

Currently living in Lethbridge, I can frequently be found contemplating life or marking English assignments in a variety of coffee shops around the city or in Edmonton. I teach high school English and drama at Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale, where I have worked for the last 14 years. The connections with students, colleagues and the community feed the happiness that only teaching can bring.

Myrna McLean

Myrna McLean has been an outspoken

advocate for a strong public education system for the past three de-cades. Stress and mental health issues for stu-dents, teachers and ad-ministrators are reaching

critical levels.Alberta teachers must engage in their profes-

sional organization and demand that their voices be heard throughout the province. Our strength is in the solidarity of 40,000 teachers who have a collective voice. As a proud member of the ATA,

Ms. McLean understands this voice and is willing to fight for changes to ensure a more reasonable work-life balance.

Overcrowded classrooms, increased poverty rates, excessive testing, updating technology, supervision times and inclusive education is-sues are only a few of the classroom concerns for teachers.

“The challenge of being a single parent and employed as a full-time teacher meant a constant struggle for me to maintain a healthy balance.”

As a passionate educator from the front lines, Ms. McLean has the wisdom and experience to join the Provincial Executive Council.

Hard work and dedication are strengths upon which Ms. McLean built her professional career over the past 34 years. As a classroom teacher,

she taught all grade levels and served as an ad-ministrator for six years. Ms. McLean completed a masters in leadership from the University of Victoria.

“Growing up in Red Deer, both parents were teachers. When my daughter started her teaching career in Alberta, she became a fifth-generation teacher.”

As the president of ATA Local No. 77, Ms. McLean has represented her colleagues for five years. She worked with the North East Teachers’ Convention Association for 25 years and was a professional development facilitator.

“As a proud Alberta teacher; I am willing to lis-ten, stand up and advocate for teachers. Meeting future challenges means we must demand and achieve a better work-life balance!”

VICE-PRESIDENTS (Two to be elected) WHO CAN VOTE FOR THIS POSTION?Active members and associate members province wide.

4 ❚ The ATA News, January 31, 2017

Kent Kinsman

For several years, the collective agree-

ments that have been legislated by the gov-ernment have failed to meet the needs of Calgary teachers, both inside the classroom and out. We have been

promised lofty changes, like those legislated to decrease teacher workload through the rec-ommendations of C2, but meaningful change has never come to fruition. Currently, we are engaged in a new, bilateral bargaining process,

and the needs of Calgary’s teachers are of vital importance as we look towards completing this bargaining process and the future.

It is important that we have a strong voice at the provincial table that will ensure that the needs of Calgary City teachers will always be heard and fought for. For the past several years I have served as both the interim chair and the vice-chair of Local No.38’s EPC committee, and as vice-chair of the current Negotiating Sub-Committee. I am on the front lines of engaging with teachers and subgroups to evaluate and discuss their needs, as well as local bargaining preparation and negotiations.

Calgary teachers need a voice that will have experience in this new process to represent

them at the provincial level, someone who is passionate about bringing change to our class-rooms and to the lives of all Alberta teachers. I know that I can work effectively on Provincial Executive Council, collaborating with other PEC members to innovate and instigate the change Alberta teachers are looking for. I be-lieve that the success of all students rests on significantly improving the conditions of prac-tice for teachers. Now is the time to bring a new, fresh voice to Provincial Executive Council.

Currently, I teach physical education at Panorama Hills School, serve on the Strategic Planning and Research Committee, Local No.38 EPC as vice-chair and Local No.38 Negotiating Subcommittee as vice-chair.

Joanne Boissonneault

I am pleased to an-nounce my can-

didacy for distr ict representative (DR) for Calgary City. I have 30 years of teaching expe-rience, including 25 in Alberta, where I have

served the Alberta Teachers’ Association in vari-ous capacities and have taught K–12 in both of-ficial languages. At the present time, I am a high school teacher with both the Calgary public and the Calgary Catholic school jurisdictions. I also have administrative experience as a district con-sultant and a co-ordinator working in student assessment and learning needs. My BA, B.Ed. and SpecEd are from Laurentian University; my

M.Ed. is from the University of Calgary.As I have done in the past, when I was

your DR, I will advocate for and advance the interests of Calgary teachers, including time constraints, classroom conditions, curriculum redesign, inclusion, professional autonomy, workload and remuneration.

As an experienced DR, I know how to build relationships and bridges with key education stakeholders — government, school boards, individual schools and members. I am sensitive to prioritizing our Association spending and to keeping future fee increases both necessary and reasonable.

I am committed to representing you with a strong voice. As your DR, I will work diligently to address your issues and concerns, within the Association and beyond. My classroom experience in public and Catholic schools, my provincial and local committee experience, and my bilingual communication skills make

me the best candidate to represent you at this crucial economic and professional point in time. Thank you. Merci.Provincial experience• Provincial Executive Council, district

representative• Well-Being of Children and Youth, chair• Finance• Political Action and Engagement• Curriculum• Resolutions• Special Education Council• Le Conseil françaisLocal experience• District representative• Diversity, Equity and Human Rights• Political Action and Engagement• Professional Development• Economic Policy• School representative

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S CALGARY CITY (Three to be elected)

Heide Doppmeier

I am pleased to put my name forward

for re-election as Cal-gary City district rep-resentative. I have been working with and for teachers in Calgary for over 30 years. I have

represented teachers on numerous committees during that time.

Committee work that I have been part of as district representative this year:• Local No.38: Executive, Constitutional In-

terpretation and ARA, plus the Strategic

Planning Implementation ad hoc committee• Local No.55: Executive, Professional Devel-

opment and Political Action• Provincial ATA: Provincial Executive Coun-

cil, Finance, Chair of the Finance Member Services subcommittee, Teacher Education and Certification Committee, and I represent the ATA on the Outreach Education Council and the K–12 ESL Advisory CouncilIt is very clear to me that teachers need more

supports to deal with increasing demands, especially in these days of initiative overload; plates already overflowing, with more being added on all the time, and nothing ever being taken away. District representatives are still classroom teachers. Because of this, we are able to keep our fingers on what is currently happening in each of the Calgary locals. There

is still much work to be done and I am up for the challenge.

My teaching career has been varied. I taught junior high for 25 years, including 10 years in high-needs schools, teaching English language arts, social studies, German, health and various CTS courses. I have spent the last 11 years in high school settings, teaching English language arts, ESL and ESL social studies.

I have also had the opportunity to build strong working relationships with my elemen-tary school colleagues and am well educated in their specific needs and concerns. I am a vo-cal advocate for public education and believe that teachers’ working conditions are student learning conditions. Happy teachers make for happy students.

Kathy Hoehn

In 2015, I accepted the challenge

to become one of Cal-gary City’s district rep-resentatives for the ATA. At that time, we were fighting for stable funding for education to support teachers in

the classroom. Since then we have seen a change in government and this presents dif-ferent opportunities and issues. The financial pressures facing this government have meant continued advocacy for the teachers and stu-dents in Alberta schools. As a member of Pro-vincial Executive Council, my voice has been

the voice of teachers in the city of Calgary and throughout our province.

My time serving on provincial ATA has ben-efited from years of experience at the local level, first as a school representative, then as a member of the executive. I represented teach-ers at the Annual Representative Assembly. My work with the Calgary City Teachers’ Conven-tion Association led to my election in 2015 as president of CCTCA. As district representa-tive, I came equipped with a strong teaching background, in-depth knowledge of the ATA, and excellent listening and communication skills. Using these assets, I represented teach-ers on the School Administrators’ Issues and Concerns Committee, Resolutions Committee and the Curriculum Committee.

I continue to speak out against initiatives that increase teacher workload and question teacher efficacy, such as standardized testing and the current form of the SLAs.

As district representative for Calgary City, I have listened to the concerns of teachers and voiced those concerns at the provincial table. If re-elected, I will continue to act in the interest of all teachers.

Two major issues I continue to hear about from colleagues are teacher workload and collaboration time. This past year, Provincial Executive Council has been working towards concrete solutions to these concerns. The ATA is a strong organization representing Alberta teachers. I would be honoured to continue my work representing Calgary City teachers.

CENTRAL NORTH—No candidate nominated

WHO CAN VOTE? Active members employed by Calgary Board of Education or Calgary Catholic School District, and associate members living in the same area.

The ATA News, January 31, 2017 ❚ 5

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S CENTRAL (One to be elected)

Jere Geiger

I believe in public edu-cation. I am running

for re-election as district representative of Central district because by striving to improve the working and

professional lives of teachers, I am improving the learning conditions of students and, ulti-mately, society.

District representatives are teachers. Being in the classroom allows us to experience the same working conditions as the people we represent.

District representatives are also politicians. Most of the decisions affecting teachers’ pro-fessional and working lives are made outside

of the classroom. Working together with Asso-ciation table officers and staff, district repre-sentatives try to mitigate the negative effects of political decisions at the various levels of government while also encouraging the posi-tive nature of these decisions.

We are at the beginning of a provincial cur-riculum rewrite and a new tiered model of col-lective bargaining. I am committed to working with Council to ensure that the new curriculum is teacher friendly and flexible and allows for teachers’ professional judgement. Our collec-tive bargaining outcome must provide some relief to the debilitating conditions of practice teachers face and ensure continued recognition of our professional status.

The ATA is the professional voice of teachers

and education in the province. Its message is research based and grounded in common sense. As your incumbent candidate for district representative in the Central district, I have both the experience and the passion to repre-sent your best interests.

Jere Geiger teaches a Grade 6 class in Alder Flats for the Wetaskiwin Regional School Division. He has administrative experience as both a principal and vice-principal, a stint on a fly-in reserve in north-ern Saskatchewan, and many years of teaching in elementary schools in rural settings.

In his years on Provincial Executive Council, Jere has served terms on various committees, including Finance, Substitute Teachers, Pension, Resolutions, and Teacher Education and Certification, and rep-resentation on three convention boards.

Kim Mason

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you

why I would like to be the district representative for the Central region.

Education is my life. I am one of six children, three of

whom are teachers. I have over a dozen teach-ers in my extended family. At family gatherings you are likely to hear debates over pedagogical approaches to learning or witness collabora-tion at its finest. My family dynamics, coupled with over 20 years of teaching experience, has

made education my passion. I love our profes-sion and want to help our public education sys-tem continue to be one of the best in the world.

I have lived in central Alberta nearly all my life. I began my teaching career in Red Deer at a middle school, then ventured out to the U.S., where I was hired as female PE depart-ment head at a private Catholic boarding school in California. When I returned home to Alberta, I taught junior high special needs in Devon. Eventually, I returned to Thorsby, my alma mater, where I have been teach-ing Division I students for the past decade. These are interesting times for education. With provincial finances where they are, we

will need strong educational advocates now more than ever. The ATA is a vital proponent and voice for teachers and the teaching profes-sion. We need strong, qualified spokespeople to represent teachers. I have been fortunate to work for a number of years with ATA Lo-cal No. 8, where I’ve been on the Council of School Representatives and an ARA delegate, and currently hold the secretary position on the executive. I’ve loved being a representative for my school and for teachers throughout the area, and I hope that I may have the privilege of being the Central region’s next district representative.

NORTH WEST (One to be elected)

Lori Cox

My personal and professional

focus on lifelong learn-ing and continuous growth has led me down many paths of service within the ATA. In my 27 years of teaching I have had the opportunity to

serve my colleagues in numerous positions in PD and teacher welfare. I currently hold positions on our local ATA council, our Economic Policy Committee and the Negotiating Subcommittee,

and am vice-chair of the PD committee. I would be honoured to use my past experi-

ences in our professional organization in repre-senting the teachers of northwestern Alberta as district representative. My teaching experiences began at Peerless Lake in Northland as a special education teacher and then led me back to cen-tral Alberta for the next six years. I realized after this time that the north was where I wanted to be. While interviewing me for a special educa-tion position in Fort Vermilion School Division, my interviewers expressed their surprise at this career move. I accepted the position and have enjoyed 20 years of teaching in Fort Vermilion School Division. My varied experiences teaching

in the north would enable me to knowledgably serve those who call the northwest home. In serving as the DR I would make a commitment to representing all areas of our region equitably.

I believe that in this province we have more information and resources available to us now than at any other time in history. I also strongly believe that all of these supports should be avail-able to every teacher while respecting their right to choose which ones will best support their teaching and their students’ learning. Ensuring adequate supports for our teachers as well as ensuring professional autonomy are core beliefs that have guided my service within the ATA.

Peter MacKay

My name is Peter MacKay, and

I’m running for North-west district represen-tative of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. I’m a proud father of two and I’ve been hap-pily married to my wife,

Stephanie, for 25 years.I’ve been a teacher for 19-and-a-half years:

three with Peace River School Division and the rest with Grande Prairie Catholic Schools. In that time, I’ve worn a number of professional hats: a grades 7 to 12 teacher, school counsellor,

special needs teacher, and three years as princi-pal of St. Thomas More school. In addition, I’ve played a variety of volunteer roles: 16 years of coaching, drama club liaison, MC for dozens of school events, and countless other times when I’ve put up my hand and said “I’ll do it.”

Throughout my career I’ve been active in the Association: Economic Policy Committee (EPC) and Negotiation Subcommittee member, EPC chair, pension consultant and C2 commit-tee representative. I am currently proud to be the president and EPC chair of Grande Prairie Catholic Local No. 42, a member of a tri-local DEHR committee, and an economic consultant for the Association.

I’m running for DR because I believe that the ATA needs to evolve. We do an exemplary

job of supporting teachers, but we need to find new ways to serve the profession as the pace of societal change accelerates.

Teachers know that the situation in Alberta schools grows more challenging every year. Our classrooms become increasingly complex, demands on our time continue to escalate and respect for our professional judgment keeps dwindling.

Teachers are the best navigators of this change; we need the Association to help us achieve the kind of working conditions and professional autonomy that will enable us to find the best way forward for our profession and for our pupils.

Please support me with your vote for North-west district representative.

Lori Szmul

I am honoured to have represented

the Northwest district of the Alberta Teach-ers’ Association for two terms as district repre-sentative. I have visited teachers from Grande Prairie to High Level to

Wabasca. The incredible passion and dedica-tion of teachers inspire my efforts to ensure that the voice of educators is heard. I strive to continue to be a bridge between the teachers I represent and the provincial Association.

Teacher workloads have increased and intensified. In the face of adversity, Alberta teachers stand strong for students. We have stretched our abilities to ensure our students do not feel the effects of larger class sizes, in-adequate funding models and statistics-driven assessment, but we cannot sustain this effort. Teachers need resources, support and, most imperatively, time. I wish to use my experience, passion, knowledge and dedication to continue to advocate for improved classroom conditions for the students and teachers of the northwes-tand all of Alberta.

I have taught 27 years in Penson School for Peace Wapiti School Division. I have been actively and continuously involved in my

Association my entire career. I have served in varying capacities. I have held the role of eco-nomic consultant for the ATA. I have sat on the Education Alberta Field Experience Committee and on the board of the Mighty Peace Teachers’ Convention. I served the local as chair of the Economic Policy Committee and the Negotia-tion Subcommittee. I then became secretary for Northern Spirit Local No.6, then president. At Provincial Executive Council I have served on the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, Finance, Retirement, and Political Engagement Com-mittees. I am liaison for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Council, and chair of the Well-Being of Children and Youth Committee.

WHO CAN VOTE? Active members employed by Fort Vermillion School Division, Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools, Grande Prairie Public School District, High Prairie School Division, Holy Family Catholic Regional Division, Northland School Division, Peace River School Division or Peace Wapiti School Division, and associate members living in the same area.

WHO CAN VOTE? Active members employed by Black Gold Regional Schools, CS Centre-Est, CS Centre-Nord, CS Centre-Ouest, CS du Sud de 'Alberta, St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools, Wetaskiwin Regional Division or Wild Rose School Division, and associate members living in the same area.

6 ❚ The ATA News, January 31, 2017

Nancy Ball

The most valuable re-source that all teachers

have is each other. In my work as local president, I hear the stories of our colleagues — the stories of classroom complexities, the impact of

high-stakes student assessments and the need for additional support for our English language learn-ers. I also hear the exhaustion in their voices. In li-aison with locals, Provincial Executive Council will continue to be another voice of classroom teachers and school administrators. We must champion mental wellness supports for our students and teachers with our colleagues in mental health.

Advocating for improved classroom conditions is advocating for student learning.

Teachers’ professional learning should be di-rected by their professional needs. Over the next two years, revised teaching and school leader quality standards — frameworks that provide for the preparation, professional growth and evalu-ation of all teachers and school leaders — will be introduced and implemented throughout Alberta.

I am proud to be an Alberta teacher. I would be honoured to be a voice for teachers of Edmonton McMurray.

Nancy’s 35-year career with the Fort McMurray Public School District has included teaching stu-dents in grades 1–6 as well as the position of acting

vice-principal at Timberlea Public School. As teacher capacity leader, Nancy currently works with beginning and substitute teachers, and co-ordinates the Learning Bridge Program, which provides additional learning support for students.

In addition to serving as local president, Nancy’s work at the local level has included professional de-velopment chair, local political engagement chair, vice-president and EPC school representative. Nancy has also served as president of the Fort McMurray reginal councils of ECEC and ELAC, and held the position of GETCA executive secretary.

Nancy has also served as a field representative on the ATA’s Curriculum and Assessment Committee and the Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Alberta Advisory Committee.

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Carmen Glossop

I am honoured and hum-bled to be in a position

in my career to be able to run and serve the teachers of the Edmonton McMurray district. As an active member of the Association for nearly

10 years, I have experience in every position at the local level, including my time as president of the Greater St. Paul Local. I am looking forward to continuing my journey as a lifelong learner in this position when elected to serve the teachers of the Edmonton McMurray district.

I believe some of the most important qualities of a good DR are the abilities to listen and articulate the needs of teachers in a manner that provides understanding and empathy for the difficult jobs we face in our dynamic and changing political and economic climate. It’s important that DRs have a broad range of classroom experience to better relate to the experiences of their colleagues.

I believe that it is extremely important to remain active at a local level and in the communities that we serve. In support of my beliefs, I have consider-able experience with students in culturally diverse backgrounds, including special needs, home-schooling and enrichment. My current assignment

provides instruction for medically fragile/at-risk youth. It further reinforces my belief that a strong Association, supported by active, engaged teachers, in co-operation with parents, is the most important link in providing advocacy for public education.

I am asking you to cast a vote in support of my bid to become DR and bring a fresh face to Pro-vincial Executive Council. The need for strong advocates on behalf of teachers has never been more important than now. I am dedicated to de-liver on my promise to be a new voice of reason and strengthen our Association for the cause of teachers in Alberta. Thank you.

Patrick Johner

Teachers continue to have complex classroom work-

ing and learning conditions, increases in special needs demands, intensification to collect and report data on student progress, constant

student mental health concerns, technological changes, challenges of inclusion, and threats of economic restraint on our salaries. Collectively, these pose a threat to our ability to meet the in-creasing needs of our students and our ability to maintain an acceptable work–life balance.

The district representative of Edmonton Mc-Murray must be relentless and unambiguous in communicating these realities of the classroom

to government, to the public and on Provincial Executive Council. We must continue to withstand the continuous attacks upon our professionalism and our professional service.

As your district representative, I will commit to representing the interests and concerns of Edmon-ton McMurray teachers. • Reduce teacher and principal workload• Champion work–life balance• Improve mental health and wellness support

for teachers• Work for meaningful changes for substitute

teachers• Ensure your local ATA and individual voice is

heard, understood and articulated on PEC • Provide for transparent decision making on PEC

Over my many years of serving, volunteering and working alongside our Association, I am

proud of the numerous committees, Local No. 37 executives and joint working groups I have been involved in.

Some of my accomplishments include establish-ing a joint Local No. 37 and Local No. 54 extended disability peer support group, creating a substitute teacher district liaison, and successfully promot-ing teaching through social media and traditional media.

For 20 years Patrick has worked in Edmonton Public Schools. His teaching experience includes working as a classroom teacher in all three divisions. Patrick has taught in regular, inclusion and special needs class-rooms. He has held positions in school leadership, and as a district consultant.

For more information visit www.PatrickJohner.ca or connect on Twitter @Patrick_Johner.

Markiana Cyncar-Hryschuk

The teacher’s role and expectations continue

to grow. Teachers are work-ing harder and challenges in meeting students’ diverse

needs, large class sizes and ongoing school/district initiatives are overwhelming.

Critical issues that we need to address include-mounting teacher workload that infringes on time to collaborate and refine teaching practice, funding to optimize teaching/learning environments, full support for classroom complexities encompassing inclusion and ELL, ideal class sizes, autonomy in personal professional development, work/life

integration, and competitive salaries that include the cost of living.

By collectively championing all teachers through our ATA, we create the best education system for our students. We move forward by forging partner-ships with education stakeholders, lobbying the provincial government, rallying public support and increasing member engagement. Together, we are strong.

I am honoured to represent Edmonton and Fort McMurray teachers on Provincial Executive Coun-cil. It is your expertise and commitment to students and community that build our globally recognized public education system. Thank you for your dedi-cation to children and teaching. I encourage you to participate in our Association so that, together, we can provide what is best for you and our profession. As your voice, I remain committed to listening and

to supporting your work at its best by advocating for all teachers.

Markiana is passionate about teaching and learning.Her teaching experience includes kindergarten

through adult education and English to international students. Professional roles include ATA professional development instructor and facilitator, curriculum de-veloper, and working with children and adults in care. Markiana has held various ECT local executive posi-tions, including vice-president.

Currently, she is a learning coach and represents Edmonton McMurray teachers on Provincial Executive Council, serving on the Communications, Advocacy and Public Education Committee the Resolutions Committee, and as PEC liaison to the Early Childhood Education Council.

Darrin Bauer

Teachers continue to tell me that their number one

concern right now is their working conditions. Things have steadily deteriorated for decades and teachers are feeling overwhelmed. Ex-

pectations have grown to become daunting for many teachers. Our Association and the Provincial Executive Council must continue to pressure the provincial government and Alberta Education to follow through with concrete improvements.

I have regularly heard frustrations and con-cerns from the teachers of Edmonton and Fort

McMurray. I feel it is important that their concerns are brought forward in a meaningful way, and as such I volunteered to be an ATA representative at central table negotiations. Members of PEC elected me to be one of the representatives, and it has been a privilege to embark on the important work of advocating for teachers’ interests.

During this round of bargaining, I have ensured that concerns about workload have been com-municated at the bargaining table. As part of the Central Table Bargaining Committee, we have worked very hard to get the best possible deal for teachers and for education in this province, given the economic conditions we are currently experiencing.

I ask for your support in continuing to serve the

fabulous teachers of Edmonton and Fort McMur-ray. Together we can continue to make improve-ments to education in this province.

Darrin is in his 22nd year of teaching and is cur-rently a high school teacher at St. Francis Xavier High School in Edmonton. He teaches off-campus education and is the school’s online learning coordinator. He has also taught Grade 5, junior high math, at Edmonton Catholic’s Outreach High School, and high school social studies. He is currently the ATA district representative for Edmonton McMurray.

He currently sits on the following ATA committees: Pension Committee (chair), Resolutions Committee, Canadian Teachers, Federation Committee, Edmonton Area Field Experiences Committee.

WHO CAN VOTE? Active members employed by Edmonton Catholic Schools, Edmonton Public Schools, Fort McMurray Public School District or Fort McMurray Catholic Schools, and associate members living in the same area.

The ATA News, January 31, 2017 ❚ 7

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EDMONTON DISTRICT

Paul Froese

I would like to start by thanking my lo-

cals and their leader-ship for the faith they placed in me during the 2016 byelection for Edmonton District to serve you. As I come before you, I am once

again asking for your support to place me in office as your district representative for a full two-year term. Despite my background experi-ence and willingness to learn, I realize now the

real leap of faith you took with me for such an important task. I have made mistakes for sure and had to learn lots of things on the fly. I truly feel that I am ready to be the complete voice that you need at Provincial Executive Council, and with your support I can place Edmonton District back at the forefront of education and service to our members.

I would also like to say how the vast major-ity of your local members have no idea of the long hours and sacrifice to family you make as presidents, executive members and commit-tee chairs in order to get the important work you do done. From this example I have drawn

strength over this past year. As a DR, some of the most memorable moments for me have been the inductions of starry-eyed new teach-ers to their classes and the exit of outgoing veteran teachers as they embark on a change in life focus. I enjoyed hearing the tremendous stories of how they impacted students during their careers. This dedication speaks to the true fibre of a teacher and the importance of our role in society.

I ask for your support, as Edmonton District teachers, to be the voice you need, want and deserve! Thank you in advance again for all that you do.

CALGARY DISTRICTMichelle Glavine

For 19 years, I have had the privilege of working

with Alberta students, and I am proud to be a teach-er. The rewarding work of teaching has been chal-lenged by the realities of

our working conditions: our students’ learning conditions. I have personally lived the changes over the years in our profession and have worked hard with fellow teachers to meet the diverse learning needs of our students. Our increasingly complex classrooms have intensi-fied the workload of teachers and stretched the resources available.

I encourage all members to become engaged in their professional organization in their own way. We need to be the strong voice for educa-tion, for our students and our colleagues. To-gether we can advocate for improved classroom conditions, resources, support and the time that teachers need to maintain the high-quality education system that we have.

I am honoured to continue my work on be-half of the teachers of Calgary District. I will always strive to represent the views of my teaching colleagues, work to better the educa-tion system and strengthen our professional organization. As a district representative, I will strive to improve the professional lives of Alberta teachers so that teachers can do their

best work in Alberta classrooms. I am pas-sionate about this work. Open and transparent communication between our locals and the provincial Association is critical to this work.

Michelle Glavine has 10 years of experience as the local president for Rocky View and is currently a middle school teacher at Bearspaw School. Her provincial experiences include serving previously as a district representative, an economic consultant, Professional Conduct Committee member and chair of the DEHR committee. Michelle is a former EPC chair/NSC member and a C2 committee member, and has served on the Palliser District Teachers’ Convention board as well as numerous local committees.

CENTRAL EASTElaine Willette-Larsen

I look forward to anoth-er two years of dedi-

cated work representing Alberta teachers and to celebrating the 100th an-niversary of our teaching association. As a district

representative, I bring forward the voice of rural teachers, work for stable funding of public educa-tion, engage in open and effective dialogue and advocate for the profession of teaching.

We teach in an increasingly complex and intensi-fied society; therefore, it is imperative that we face educational issues as a united association. Teachers value their students — the future — and understand clearly that it is public education that will best serve that future.

Thank you to teachers from Aspen View, Battle River, Greater St. Paul, Lakeland Catholic, Northern Lights and Park Plains East for your inspiration, support and insight. It is an honour and a delight to represent and serve you.

My teaching experience spans four decades and four divisions. I have been dedicated to our Associa-tion since my first year of teaching. I currently teach grade 9–12 social studies and religion in Provost.

Don Brookwell

As district repre-sentative, I look

forward to meeting the teachers of Central South and sharing our views at Provincial Ex-ecutive Council. I will also endeavour to keep our teachers informed

of the business of the ATA so we can all be ac-tive participants in our profession. We face many

challenges as we continue to provide the best teaching and learning environments to meet the increasingly complex needs of our students. I will do my best to represent our teachers and our profession.

I am currently a learning assistance teacher and special education teacher at Hunting Hills High School in Red Deer. I have been a teacher for almost 30 years and have been fortunate to have a wide variety of teaching opportunities across the province. I am proud to be a teacher.

I am currently the vice-president and lo-cal political engagement officer for Red Deer

Public. I also am involved in our local Economic Planning Committee and Negotiating Subcom-mittee. At a provincial level, I have participated in many ARAs and summer conferences, and recently began involvement in the Professional Conduct Committee. In the past, I have been a local communications officer and held several positions on teachers’ convention committees. Finally, I’d like to thank Léo Richer for all the work he has done on behalf of the teachers of Central South and for his support as I move for-ward in this new and challenging role.

CENTRAL SOUTH

Elected by acclamation

Get your online ATA account at www.teachers.ab.ca

8 ❚ The ATA News, January 31, 2017

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SOUTH WEST

Katherine PritchardThe Alberta Teach-

ers’ Association has a long history of ad-vancing the teaching profession. Over the last century we have seen many changes and

have made improvements in our working con-ditions. These improvements were often gained incrementally over the years, with previous generations of teachers fighting for things we now take for granted. We must continue to advocate for our profession, whilst listening to

the needs and concerns of our members.Teachers are better qualified today than at

any time in our history. Despite this, we contin-ue to face challenges to our professional auton-omy. Teachers are professionals who must be empowered to make the pedagogical decisions that will support students in our classrooms. Teachers should decide on their own profes-sional development needs, as opposed to the top-down inservicing many receive. Teachers should be involved with curriculum changes and with discussions on assessment. The ATA is the democratic, collective voice that allows Alberta teachers to be heard.

The strength of the ATA comes from its solidarity and also from its diversity. As district representative I will represent teachers who

are from many different educational settings. Principals and teachers working in public or faith-based schools, whether rural or urban, all contribute to our Association. I am passionate about education and ensuring representation for all our members. I am a proud Alberta teacher and I will be your voice.

I have been honoured to serve Palliser ATA Local No. 19 as local president for the last eight years, previously serving as local trea-surer. I am a high school mathematics teacher currently teaching at Noble Central School as well as in a blended online environment. My husband, Bryan, is also a teacher, and my two children are both graduates of our public education system.

Heather McCaigI am proud to be a

candidate for dis-trict representative for southeast Alberta. I ap-preciate the value of relationships and the need for teacher sup-

port. It is a privilege to represent our dedicated, hardworking teachers. I work with local presi-dents and their executives and give individual teacher support. I have travelled to almost every school in the South East district and am

dedicated to continuing this. My passion is working as an advocate for ed-

ucation and teachers. I have taught in three of our districts and was local president and vice-president in Medicine Hat Public for over 15 years. I sat for one year on the Alberta Teacher Retirement Fund Board. I was an economic consultant for 10 years. I have served a term as district representative. These experiences have given me a broader provincial perspective on many issues facing our locals.

I strongly believe the government must be held accountable for its action or inaction on issues and see teachers as the experts in edu-cation — professionals who enrich the lives of children. We need to help parents and our

communities understand the work of teachers. It is extremely important to have representa-

tives at the provincial table who comprehend issues in a manner that is not reactive, are will-ing to carefully think issues through, and are willing to take action leading to positive results for teachers. I am this strong advocate, asser-tive when necessary, listening attentively and always doing my best to meet teachers’ needs. I am proud to be a teacher in southeast Alberta. I believe it is the job of the district representa-tive to support the locals and represent them at Provincial Executive Council. I look forward to being your choice for district representative for the South East district.

SOUTH EAST

r u informed?

AB Teachers

10:21 AM

10:23 AM

LIB-

31 Vote online March 13–20 at www.teachers.ab.ca.

FEBRUARY 28, 2017VOTING INSTRUCTIONS MAILED TO SCHOOLSCheck with your ATA school representative.

MARCH 13–20, 2017VOTING OPENOnline voting is open 24/7 starting at 8 am on March 13 and ending at 5 pm on March 20.

MARCH 21, 2017ELECTION RESULTS ANNOUNCEDResults are posted on the ATA website and social media sites before noon. Coverage of the election and results also appears in the ATA News.

PEC Election Schedule

VOTER ELIGIBILITYTo vote, you must be an active or associate member of the ATA in good standing at any time within 30 days prior to the official election date of March 20. Active members are those employed by a public, separate or francophone school jurisdiction in Alberta.Associate members are those who have elected to join the ATA. Examples of members in this category include but are not limited to superintendents, teachers employed by charter schools, teachers employed as faculty members at postsecondary institutions, teachers employed by the Government of Alberta and teachers pursuing graduate studies on a full-time basis.

ABOUT PEC

PEC leads and transacts the business of the Alberta Teachers’ Association on behalf of its 40,000-plus members. Its membership includes the Association’s executive secretary, its past president and 18 other positions — one president, two vice-presidents and 15 district representatives — which are open to election every two years. Terms for current PEC members expire June 30, 2017.

HOW DO I REGISTER AND VOTE?

Instructions on how to register and vote in the ATA online election will be mailed to all eligible voters on or about Feb. 28. The same day the instructions are mailed, they will be posted online at www.teachers.ab.ca.

Publication Mail Agreement #40065477

January 31, 2017 Volume 51, Number 10

ATANEWSJanuary 31, 2017 Volume 51, Number 10 News Publication of The Alberta Teachers’ Association

YUET CHAN

Kenya Rae (left) and Emily Ha engage with fellow student Briseis Wu, who is dressed in a traditional lion costume, during a celebration of Chinese New Year at Dovercourt School in Edmonton on Jan. 26.

Bargaining 2016/17 Updates

Road to recoveryIt’s time for a strategic investment in education.Read Jonathan Teghtmeyer’s editorial on page 2.

Weigh inTeachers encouraged to participate in budget consultation.See story on page 4.

Next executive secretary namedDennis Theobald to take over for retiring Gordon Thomas.

See story on page 5.teachers.ab.ca WHAT’S ONLINE?

Get your online ATA account

Find your 2017 teachers’ convention dates

Meet your Walking Together team at teachers’ convention

Bargaining 2016/17 updates

Central talks continueBargainers need more time at central table.See story on page 5.

Heavy hittersProvincial cabinet ministers lined up for upcoming education symposium.See story on page 7.

Networked classroomsEducators get expert insight into privacy implications.See story on page 16.

See infographic on page 3.

RACERS in PEC election 2017

AND THEY’REOFF!

22

ATANEWSThe Alberta Teachers’ Association, as the professional organization of teachers, promotes and advances public education, safeguards standards of professional practice and serves as the advocate for its members.

January 31, 2017 Volume 51, Number 10

Download the app now by scanning the QR code or searching “Alberta teachers” in the App Store.

Member of Canadian Educational Press Association Association canadienne de la presse éducationnelle

Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40065477 ISSN 0001-267XReturn undeliverable Canadian addresses to the following address: Editorial Office, Barnett House, 11010 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 2R1Telephone: 780-447-9400 in Edmonton;1-800-232-7208 toll free in Alberta

www.teachers.ab.ca @albertateacherswww.facebook.com/ABteachers

Editor-in-Chief: Jonathan Teghtmeyer | jonathan.teghtmeyer@ata.ab.ca | 780-447-9477Managing Editor: Cory Hare | cory.hare@ata.ab.ca | 780-447-9438Advertising and Business Manager: Bromley Chamberlain | bromley.chamberlain@ata.ab.ca | 780-447-9417Designers: Yuet Chan and Erin Solano Copy Editors: ATA Editorial Staff

Q & AGordon Thomas Executive Secretary

EDITORIALJonathan Teghtmeyer ATA News Editor-in-Chief

We call for every

school in Alberta

to be provided with

proper expertise to

address growing

concerns for the

mental health of

our children.

Barbara Silva and Carolyn Blasetti, of Support Our Students Alberta,

in a column published in the Calgary Herald on Jan. 27.

Teachers have a good understand-ing of the fiscal realities facing the

province of Alberta right now. It’s clear that a fair amount of pain and suffering has been caused by the slowdown in our energy sector as a result of slump-ing oil prices.

To understand the extent of the sit-uation, let’s consider the history of the price of a barrel of oil measured by the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stan-dard. For the first half of 2014, the price sat relatively comfortably between $100 and $110 U.S. Between the summer of 2014 and the start of 2015, the price stumbled to less than $50 per barrel. In the lead-up to the 2015 provincial election, the price had climbed to $60 per barrel, but then fell again, reaching a low of less than $30 in January and February of 2016.

The low oil price made many proj-ects in Alberta less profitable and re-sulted in significant layoffs and other

Question: So do I really have to go to the teachers’ convention?

Answer: The most asked and most answered question in this column, now in its 15th year under my name, is whether or not a teacher has to go to a teachers’ convention.

First of all, remember that these are our conventions. They are not run by your school board or Alberta Education. Under our General Bylaws, we have established teachers’ convention as-sociations as subgroups of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and they are responsible for operating the teachers’ conventions established across the province under the School Act. The Association is responsible for the op-eration of each of the 10 convention associations.

Alberta’s teachers’ conventions can be traced back to the 1880s, when

But do I have to? Yes!the school inspector in each inspec-torate called together the teachers for a meeting. These meetings were gen-erally held in October or November, and the inspectors updated teachers on the required curriculum and assorted regulations or directives and offered suggestions with respect to teaching practice. Teachers were also able to share research, hear prominent edu-cators speak and discuss new ideas. Conventions were an annual event, although the influenza epidemic was sufficient cause to cancel teachers’ conventions in 1918, and the minister of education cancelled conventions in 1931. Since 1942, they have been the responsibility of the Association, and their status is enshrined in the School Act and the Association’s Gen-eral Bylaws.

Generally, all active members are ex-pected to attend their teachers’ conven-tions. There is a legal and a professional obligation to attend. Given that teachers are employed by a school board and paid to attend teachers’ conventions, teachers are expected to attend.

There is also a professional expecta-tion that teachers will work to advance

their professional standing, and at-tendance at convention is one of the ways that such a goal can be further attained. Almost every year, a teacher fails to attend his or her convention and the matter becomes newsworthy. Meeting the chair of the school board on the ski hill when you are expected to be at the teachers’ convention is not a very good thing. Where there is sufficient evidence that a teacher has not attended convention, a hearing of the Professional Conduct Committee is always held. Teachers will be sanc-tioned by the Association and also by their employer for failing to attend the convention. The report of the hearing is available to the public and, in recent years, such reports have been reported in the media.

If you have questions about your circumstances, please contact the con-vention factotum (in the PD program area) at Barnett House or the Member Services duty officer at Barnett House or SARO.

Questions for consideration in this col-umn are welcome. Please address them to Gordon Thomas at Barnett House (gordon.thomas@ata.ab.ca).

Time for a strategic investment in educationrollbacks in the energy sector. Higher unemployment and other economic spinoff factors meant a spillover into other areas of the Alberta economy, including retail and wholesale trade, as well as various service industries.

While most analysts believe that the recovery will be long and slow, there are signs that things are improving for Alberta. The WTI price has held steady above $50 since the beginning of December and projections see it continuing in an upward direction. Oil prices above $50 make traditional oil production much more profitable, and prices above $60 greatly increase the profitability of oilsands production. A low Canadian dollar and recently improved prospects for greater pipe-line capacity mean that Alberta pro-ducers will get better returns on their investments.

Elsewhere in the economy, retail sales have been moving up for four months in a row, wholesale trade has started to increase again, and employment trends are improving and so are housing starts. There are still some negative indicators, and teachers should be aware that the well-known Alberta Average Weekly Earning index is down about six per cent from January 2015.

“Cautious optimism” seems appro-priate to describe the current reserved outlook for Alberta’s economy. But given that the economic prospects have improved, I think it is time for the Alberta government to look at making some strategic investments in educa-tion in the upcoming provincial budget.

The government has carried through with its election commitments to fund student enrolment growth and deserves significant credit for that, especially in response to a worse-than-anticipated economic situation. But funding en-rolment growth only maintains the current conditions of learning and sup-ports — it doesn’t improve the plight of Alberta’s students.

A few promises made in the NDP election platform would bring improve-ment but, unfortunately, they have been put on hold so far.

According to the NDP’s 2015 platform, the 2017 budget was forecast to include $75 million for class size reduction and inclusive education, $45 million to re-duce school fees and $60 million for a school lunch program. The government has started with a $3.5-million invest-ment in a school nutrition pilot project, but none of the other commitments have been advanced even though the platform called for each to begin in 2015.

Now that the price of oil is returning to the level it was at when that platform document was drafted, and now that the economic horizon appears brighter, I think the government should move forward on one or more of these three commitments.

A cost-effective strategic investment in education this year will ensure that a generation of students who may have been affected by this recession in other ways will see some important improve-ments to their education at a time when they could really use it.

I welcome your comments — contact me at jonathan.teghtmeyer@ata.ab.ca.

Funding enrolment growth only maintains the current conditions of learning and supports — it doesn’t improve the plight of Alberta’s students.

The ATA News, January 31, 2017 3

YOUR VIEWS

Letters to the editor: We welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your submission to 300 words. Only letters bearing a first and last name, address and daytime telephone number will be considered for publication. Teachers are also asked to indicate where and what they teach. All letters are subject to editing for length, clarity, punctuation, spelling and grammar. Email managing editor Cory Hare: cory.hare@ata.ab.ca.

VIEWPOINTSDerek Brodersen, Chief Investment Officer

Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund

With nominations now closed for the 2017 PEC election, there are more candidates running in contested races than in any PEC election in recent memory.

AND THEY’RE OFF!

President

5

District representatives(Eight to be elected in four contested districts)

(One to be elected)

(Two to be elected)

3

Vice-presidents14

RACERS in PEC election 201722

An important, but complicated, issue that has been gaining

more attention in recent years for pension plans including the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund (ATRF) is responsible investing. ATRF has held a responsible investing strat-egy for years, but there is no doubt that this topic is challenging for any pension plan to navigate.

There are many different ways to define responsible investing, but ATRF subscribes to the following definition: “Responsible invest-ment is an approach to investment that explicitly acknowledges the relevance to the investor of envi-ronmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, and the long-term health and stability of the market as a whole.”

What are ESG factors?Environmental factors refer to

issues pertaining to land, air and water. Social factors generally re-late to issues such as human rights and labour safety. Governance fac-tors deal with issues pertaining to shareholders’ rights, board diversity and independence, and executive compensation.

One of the reasons why responsi-ble investing is a complicated issue is the potential for ESG issues to come into conflict with the mandate of a pension plan.

In Canada, trustees of pension plans have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the plan ben-eficiaries (or members). The pri-mary purpose of a pension plan is to provide periodic payments to individuals after retirement and until death. With this in mind, one might ask whether consideration of certain ESG issues is even relevant to the purpose of the pension plan. A more important question might

Teachers’ pension fund is serious about responsible investing

be whether the plan’s fiduciary obligation to its members could be violated if ESG considerations were put ahead of financial goals.

ATRF believes that the solution involves a balanced approach. Our view is that, over the long term, orga-nizations that do well at identifying and managing ESG risks and oppor-tunities are more likely to represent good long-term investments.

Applying ESG factors to investingInvestors can consider ESG factors

in a number of ways. One approach, known as negative screening, refers to what people often think of as “eth-ical investing.” The strategy behind negative screening usually revolves around specifically excluding in-vestment in certain things that don’t match with the morals or principles of a certain group, be they religious, political or environmental.

Two things make negative screen-ing very difficult to put into practice. First of all, with a few exceptions, it is usually very difficult to gain a consensus on what to exclude and how to do it. Second, it is very hard to identify where to draw the line in applying an ethical screen.

Let’s look at the tobacco industry as an example.

It may be easy to say: “Smoking is bad. We should avoid investing in that business.”

But when you look at that state-ment, what does it really mean? Do you avoid investing in the cigarette companies? What about tobacco farms? Or fertilizer companies that help them grow their crops? Do you exclude the paper companies that supply the paper and packaging? And what about the railroads that transport the product? Do you ex-clude them for making these prod-ucts available to people?

You can appreciate the dilemma an investor faces. Applying nega-tive or ethical screens reduces our investable universe which, if taken too far, could have a negative impact on the risk and return of the plan’s assets and ultimately contribution rates.

Two more common approaches to ESG investing are “active own-ership and engagement” and “ESG integration.”

Active ownership and engagement is an approach that sees sharehold-ers, either on their own or collec-tively, communicate directly with companies to discuss ESG issues and promote positive change.

ATRF is involved with a number of organizations that engage direct-ly in this way with the boards and management teams of companies. ATRF was a founding member of the Canadian Coalition for Good Gov-ernance, an organization dedicated to improving corporate governance and promoting shareholders’ rights.

Further, ATRF exercises its rights as a shareholder in compa-nies through its proxy voting. For example, we have guidelines that encourage companies to adhere to the Organization for Econom-ic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which is a set of princi-ples and standards for responsible business conduct.

ESG integration refers to incorpo-rating the analysis of ESG issues into the investment process. An example of this might be assessing the long-term sustainability of a company that is a heavy water user or identi-fying an investment opportunity in a company that might benefit from changing environmental regulations.

In summary, ATRF agrees that companies that consistently ignore key ESG issues are often riskier in-vestments that may not produce high returns in the long run. However, it is important to recognize that assess-ing ESG issues forms an important part of the investment decision, but cannot be the only basis for the decision.

FACEBOOK FEEDBACKComments on Dennis Theobald being named the ATA’s next executive secretary.

Jessica ScalzoExcellent choice!

Kristi Schabert RouseCongratulations!!

Nicole MooneyCongrats Dennis!

ON THE TWITTERSPHERE#abedAlison Palmer @alijanepalmerOne of my proudest moments as a teacher was when I became a GSA advisor when students wanted one.

Support Our Students @SOSAlbertaGSAs are a positive part of school culture in #abed #Bill10 is supporting students across the province.

Grant Bertamini @MrBertaminiOh, wow. I admit to being frustrated w our #abed system at times, but today I’m thankful #BetsyDeVos isn’t in Canada... Insanity in the USA.

From ATA-hosted discussions on privacy implica-tions in networked classrooms (#etcata)

Steve Clark @stevewclarkThere is definitely a need to refocus on #digitalciti-zenship in our schools and districts.

Colette Mondor @colettemondorThe more I learn about (digital/networked) resources the more I feel that good pedagogy/teacher ed is the best inoculation to misuse.

glogan @gloganAll this big data and algorithmic surveillance talk leads me to believe that the student’s teacher cannot be replaced by HAL.

Daylene Lauman @DayleneLaumanWhere do privacy rights begin and end? Great knowl-edge and expertise on the #etcata panel tonight.

Donna Miller Fry @fryedInstead of telling kids what sites to trust, teach them to ask about what is missing in the information.

Danny Maas @dannymaasLet’s commit this day to offering great advice to guide schools in using tech for learning safely & responsibly with students.

4 The ATA News, January 31, 2017

STORIES AND PHOTOS WANTEDIf something newsworthy is going on in your school, district or local, please let us know. We will also consider articles, photos and cartoons. Please email tips and submissions to managing editor Cory Hare: cory.hare@ata.ab.ca.

Teachers encouraged to participate in budget consultationATA News Staff

Alberta residents have until Feb. 3 to provide online feedback as the

provincial government gathers input in preparation for its 2017 budget.

Alberta Teachers’ Association presi-dent Mark Ramsankar is encouraging members to participate.

“It’s important that teachers’ voices be part of this process as we have a unique front-line perspective on government funding in action,” he said.

As the Association and government continue to bargain at the central table, Ramsankar was careful to avoid laying out a specific budgetary wish list.

“We must allow negotiations to con-tinue without interference, but I know teachers would like to see the upcom-ing budget continue to fund enrolment growth while providing more support for inclusion in our complex class-rooms,” he said.

Throughout January, Finance Min-ister Joe Ceci held several meetings with community leaders and the public while visiting towns and cities around the province. As low global oil prices continue to have a profound impact on Alberta’s finances, the government is projecting a $10.8 billion deficit for 2016–17.

The website that’s been set up to gather input contains some parameters.

“To help us prepare the upcoming budget, we want to hear your priorities and ideas on how to best meet Alber-tans’ needs without increasing costs or affecting front-line services,” it states.

Weigh in onlineTo provide online input on

the upcoming provincial budget, v is i t www.alberta .ca/budget -consultations.aspx.

It’s important that teachers’ voices be part of this process

as we have a unique front-line perspective on government

funding in action.

–Mark Ramsankar, ATA president

Funding reinstated for home school authorityTrinity Christian School strikes agreement with government that will include an appointed financial administrator

Jonathan TeghtmeyerATA News Editor-in-Chief

Alberta Education has agreed to reinstate funding to the province’s

largest provider of homeschooling pro-grams provided it improves its financial and governance oversight.

The government and Trinity Chris-tian School filed an agreement with the Court of Queen’s Bench in Grande Prairie on Jan. 5, ahead of an applica-tion from Trinity for a judicial review of the government decision to close the school last October. The Cold Lake school, which supervises the home schooling program for 3,500 students across the province, was the subject of an Alberta Education review last sum-mer that alleged a number of financial and oversight mismanagement issues.

The Jan. 5 agreement will see the government appoint a financial admin-istrator to oversee Trinity’s finances for at least one year and will remove Trin-ity’s sister organization Wisdom Home Schooling Society from any governance role, decision-making authority or fi-nancial management related to Trinity’s operations.

Alberta Education’s review alleged that Trinity failed to appropriately supervise home education students

because it didn’t employ teachers to conduct student evaluations and, in-stead, transferred 90 per cent of the funding it received from government to Wisdom. While Wisdom did contract certificated teachers as “facilitators” to supervise home-school programs, Alberta Education said that approach was “inconsistent with legislation,” which calls for the supervising teachers to be employed by the school authority. Under the new agreement all teachers will be Trinity employees.

Education Minister David Eggen believes the agreement offers stability for students and ensures that govern-ment funding is being used to support students.

“I stand behind the actions we have taken in this matter and officials will now move to assisting Trinity with developing governance and account-ing practices that are at the standard expected by Alberta taxpayers,” he said.

“I think it’s a good resolution to the action and to the issues that the parties have both raised,” Trinity lawyer Jay Cameron said to the Edmonton Journal. “I think my client is satisfied. I think that the agreement that’s been reached is balanced.”

At the time the closure was an-nounced, Trinity and Wisdom denied any wrongdoing and launched court

action to affect the decision. In early November, they were granted an in-junction to continue operating, albeit without government funding. Court was set to begin hearing the application to review the government decision this month. This agreement adjourns that legal action, although either party can return to court if it feels more assis-tance is required.

Allegations contained in a govern-ment report that was released when it closed the school included suspect land and building lease arrangements, as well as a number of improper employ-ment contract arrangements. Alberta Education stated that the “boards and administration of both Trinity and Wisdom are largely represented by two families” and that collectively members of those families had been paid $2.76 million in compensation over three years. The report also said that Wisdom had accumulated $988,000 in unpaid funds that were intended for parents to purchase school supplies.

The Jan. 5 agreement does not discuss the merits of the allegations of past financial mismanagement that were raised in the Alberta Education review. The RCMP told the Edmonton Journal that an investigation is still continuing into the financial operations of Trinity and Wisdom.

ATA News Staff

Nova Scotia teachers have end-ed their strike action, as their

union and the province have reached a tentative agreement that will be subject to a ratification vote on Feb. 8.

On Jan. 23, teachers suspended and began phasing out a work-to-rule strike action that had been ongoing since late November.

“We have been focused exclusively on teaching, highlighting the working and learning conditions of teachers and students, and demonstrating how teachers go above and beyond,” said Liette Doucet, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU).

Doucet also said the union has also been focused on getting a new agree-ment for its members.

“Both parties worked day and night over the last week to come to this new tentative agreement,” she said.

Details of the tentative agreement aren’t being released until the agree-ment is ratified by union members. The teachers’ provincial agreement expired July 31, 2015.

After holding many marches and rallies in November and December, teachers in Nova Scotia now have a tentative agreement that will be subject to a ratification vote on Feb. 8.

SUPPLIED

Nova Scotia teachers end strike action“We have been focused exclusively on teaching, highlighting

the working and learning conditions of teachers and students, and demonstrating how teachers go above and beyond.”

–Liette Doucet, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union

The ATA News, January 31, 2017 5

ATA News Staff

Negotiations continued in January between representatives of the

Alberta Teachers’ Association and rep-resentatives of the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Authority (TEBA).

An online update posted by Central Table Bargaining Committee chair Greg Jeffery thanked teachers for their pa-tience and noted that more bargaining dates have been scheduled.

“This is complex work and will take a bit more time in order to be done prop-erly,” wrote Jeffery. “At this point we are exhausting all possibilities to try and

achieve a memorandum of agreement with TEBA.”

Further information about the status of bargaining has been posted to Bar-gainer’s Blog, which members can be access by logging into the Association’s website at teachers.ab.ca.

Teachers are being encouraged now to ensure that they have login creden-tials for the website because complete information about bargaining, including full details of any potential settlement, will be available only there. Teachers will also need to use their login to vote on any settlements or on other possible courses of action related to negotiations.

Teachers employed by any of Alberta’s

61 public, separate or francophone school boards are covered by a collective agree-ment between the Association and their school board that expired on Aug. 31, 2016. While negotiations continue, the terms of the expired agreement remain in effect.

The new process for bargaining col-lective agreements being used this year includes a process of central table bar-gaining that will affect all collective agreements in the province followed by a process of local bargaining between in-dividual bargaining units and each school board. A settlement on central table negotiations needs to be concluded and ratified before local negotiations begin.

More time needed at central tableNew Bargainer’s Blog posted after January meeting with TEBA

Association names its next executive secretaryDennis Theobald to take over for retiring Gordon ThomasCory HareATA News Managing Editor

Dennis Theobald will be the next top executive of the Alberta Teachers’

Association.Provincial Executive Council decid-

ed at its Jan. 19 meeting to promote Theobald to the position of executive secretary and chief executive officer. The change is a result of the impending retirement of Gordon Thomas, who has served in the role since 2003. Theo-bald will transition into the new role by working alongside Thomas for the next year and will officially take over effective Feb. 1, 2018.

“It’s very exciting and, at the same time, quite terrifying!” Theobald said in an interview a few days after his appointment was announced.

“It has become very real to me, the challenges of the position and the responsibility that I’ll be taking on in about a year’s time.”

Theobald joined the Association as an executive staff officer in 2001 and be-came the communications co-ordinator in 2008. Since 2011, he’s held the title of associate executive secretary, making him second in command to Thomas.

During his ATA career, Theobald has taken on major responsibilities in po-litical engagement and strategy, public relations, publicity and government re-lations. Prior to joining the Association, his career included teaching in band and public schools as well as a stint at Alberta Education, where one of his

Theobald excels at political analysis and government relations. I believe he’ll be an outstanding

executive secretary.–Gordon Thomas, ATA executive secretary

roles was as a special assistant to the deputy minister of education.

Association president Mark Ram-sankar gave Theobald a ringing endorsement.

“Dennis has a long and outstanding record of service to the profession and causes of public education in Alberta,” Ramsankar said.

“The teachers of Alberta will be well served by him in his new role as the chief executive officer of the Association.”

Thomas said Theobald is the right

person to take over the top executive job due to his experience both within the ATA and within the provincial gov-ernment plus the fact that he’s been the deputy since 2011.

“In addition to all of those, he excels at political analysis and government relations,” Thomas said. “I believe he’ll be an outstanding executive secretary.”

A product of Alberta’s public schools, Theobald is a graduate of the Univer-sity of Alberta, from which he holds three degrees: bachelor of arts, bach-elor of education and master of busi-ness administration. He said that most teachers won’t notice a difference in the way the Association operates, since the executive secretary is a servant of Provincial Executive Council.

“They may see an evolution in some of the ways things are going to be done, which will reflect my skill set,” Theo-bald said. “Really, they can count on the Association being there for them in the same way that it has in the past.”

BROMLEY CHAMBERLAIN

Dennis Theobald (left) will take over as executive secretary of the Alberta Teachers’ Association after spending the next year learning the job alongside the retiring Gordon Thomas (right). Currently the associate executive secretary, Theobald will officially assume his new role on Feb. 1, 2018.

Bargaining 2016/17 Updates

6 The ATA News, January 31, 2017

Beginning teachers cross school thresholds every September with

dreams and hopes of making a dif-ference in students’ lives. An Alberta Teachers’ Association research study, Teaching in the Early Years of Practice: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study (2013) suggests that early attrition rates can be reduced through co-ordinated induction practices that help new teachers become long-term professional teachers.

The Association is proud of its long-standing commitment for the past two decades to the success of early career teachers and continues to provide locals and jurisdictions with assistance related to mentorship programs for beginning teachers. The Association’s primary role is to ensure that both mentors and protegés receive adequate preparation and support.

Staff officers in the Professional De-velopment (PD) program area assist in developing mentoring steering com-mittees, frames of reference, mentor-ing guidelines and programming, and can suggest strategies to promote and maintain a healthy mentorship program. They also tailor the support provided to respond to your local context. The Association has numerous resources on mentoring policies, principles, practices

EXECUTIVE REPORT

Monique Gravel ATA Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development

ATA can provide mentoring support

and programming, available in both French and English.

Furthermore, a recently published monograph, A Principal’s Guide to Teacher Induction, offers research-based resources for administrators whose sup-port is critical in the implementation of and ongoing support for mentoring pro-grams. The principal, as administrator and instructional leader of the school, plays a significant role in creating the conditions that will support beginning teachers’ transition into the profession. A half-day workshop for administrators is available, provides an overview of the needs of Alberta beginning teachers, and explores the principal’s role in teacher induction as a culture builder, instructional leader and advocate.

The Association firmly believes that voluntary comprehensive mentorship programs will contribute to the success of beginning teachers throughout their entire careers, provided that these programs are appropriately funded, based on current research, designed for the ongoing professional growth of beginning teachers, constitute the participants’ professional growth plans, sponsored in collaboration with the Association, and supported by knowl-edgeable, compassionate administrators.

The Association has financial support available for those locals and jurisdic-tions wishing to establish a collabo-rative mentoring steering committee, which includes your ATA local, school district and the Association.

If you would like more informa-tion about mentorship programs, or if you wish to book a workshop, please feel free to contact me by email at Monique.Gravel@ata.ab.ca or by phone at 780-447-9449.

Mentoring MonthThe Alberta Mentoring Part-

nership designated January to be Mentoring Month with the aim of raising awareness of the value of mentoring and to highlight the resources it has available to help foster mentoring relationships and programs. For more information, visit albertamentors.ca.

STOCK

The Alberta Teachers’ Association has people and resources that can help in the establishment and operation of teacher mentoring programs.

Teacher’s participation in joke prompts reprimand

PITFALLS AND PRECAUTIONSGaylene Schreiber ATA Secretary to Professional Conduct Committees

Pitfalls and Precautions is a series that aims to educate teachers on professional conduct issues by highlighting situations addressed by the ATA Professional Con-duct Committee. The committee dealt with the following case between May and August of 2016.

A female junior high student entered a classroom upset because some

students had staged a joke about her dating another student from her class. Her teacher became aware that not only were several students involved in the situation, but a fellow teacher was as well. The embarrassed student’s teacher discovered the group waiting outside the classroom door for the em-barrassed female student to return. The participating teacher, upon learning of the effect of the joke, immediately apol-ogized for his part in the event.

The professional conduct committee

found the teacher guilty of behaving contrary to section 4 of the Code of Professional Conduct, which states “the teacher treats pupils with dignity and respect and is considerate of their circumstances.” The committee ordered a letter of reprimand, noting that by aiding and abetting students in jokes that created discomfort for another student, the teacher did not observe the boundaries that teachers are ex-pected to maintain between students and teachers.

Teachers are expected to be sensitive to the circumstances of students and avoid situations that cause students to be upset and uncomfortable. When ordering the penalty of a letter of reprimand, the committee considered that this was a singular event and that the teacher took immediate actions with the student to demonstrate his remorse.

Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ABteachers

The ATA News, January 31, 2017 7

Preservice carousels connect aspiring teachers to specialist councils

Michelle Bezubiak of the Early Childhood Education Council provides information to an preservice teacher at Concordia University of Edmonton on Saturday, Jan. 14.

CORY HARE

Gaylene Schreiber ATA News Staff

A second-year initiative aimed at connecting future teachers with

the various specialist councils offered by the Alberta Teachers’ Association drew healthy crowds to two recent events in Edmonton and Calgary.

A total of about 280 preservice teach-ers from around the province gathered Jan. 14 in Edmonton and Jan. 21 in Calgary to learn about specialist coun-cil programs through table displays, publications, networking and a round of “specialist council bingo.

The initiative began in January 2016 and was the brainchild of Don McLaughlin, who is president of the Global, Environmental & Outdoor Ed-ucation Council.

What are specialist councils?

The Association’s 21 spe-cialist councils were created to foster the professional develop-ment of teachers interested in common curriculum or special-ty areas. The first six councils formed in 1961, with the newest council formed in 2009.

Councils are operated by teams of volunteer teachers to provide members with op-portunities to share ideas and gather new information and skills by organizing annual conferences, producing publi-cations, maintaining websites and offering regional work-shops and seminars.

Student membership is free

Student members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association enjoy free student member-ship in specialist councils. To become a student member of the Alberta Teachers’ Asso-ciation, contact your preservice program’s student local or the Association directly for appli-cation support.

“We needed to find a way to connect with preservice teachers, to encourage their membership and to inform them of all that specialist councils have to offer,” McLaughlin said.

“It’s the collaboration between the student local, the hosting institution and the specialist council volunteers that makes these events so exciting.”

“It’s the collaboration between the student local, the hosting institution and the specialist council volunteers that makes these events so exciting.”–Don McLaughlin, president

Global, Environmental & Outdoor Education Council

The no-cost Saturday morning events were hosted with faculty and institu-tional support by the student locals at Concordia University of Edmonton and Mount Royal University in Calgary. They included workshops on classroom man-agement, indigenous cultures and world views, and teacher wellness offered by the Association’s Instructor Corps.

Provincial cabinet ministers lined up for upcoming symposiumBromley ChamberlainATA News Staff

Organizers of the annual Rural Education Symposium are trying

something different for 2017: staging the event in Edmonton, in an attempt to attract more participants from the provincial government.

The strategy appears to be working, as anywhere from four to seven cabinet members will kick off the conference with a minister’s panel, with partici-

pants speaking about rural sustainability from the perspective of their particular portfolios.

“It will be an op-portunity for attend-ees to hear what the different ministries are thinking with respect to rural Al-berta,” said organizer Bob Allen.

Following the pan-el, there will be a reception that will enable Albertans to interact with the ministers. All Alber-ta MLAs have been

invited to attend, Allen said. Allen has also organized a panel of several dep-uty ministers who will talk about rural sustainability.

Todd Hirsch

Doug Griffiths

Find out moreFor more information on the

symposium and to register, visit www.albertaruraleducation.ca.

The symposium will take place March 5 to 7 at the Fantasyland Hotel. The theme is “From Ideas to Action: Making the Connections.” It will feature keynote addresses from Doug Griffiths, a former municipal affairs minister and teacher, and Todd Hirsch, chief economist for ATB Financial.

Hirsch will speak about the economic outlook for rural Alberta and the en-tire province, while Griffiths will give a talk entitled “13 Ways to Kill Your Community.”

“It is a very interesting perspective on the things that we need to do to keep rural communities viable in Alberta,” Allen said. “Doug is going to facilitate an action planning workshop for the attendees with the intention of creating some sustainability plans.”

Allen explained that his hope was to have attendees create something they can take back to their communities and put into action.

“We are really excited for the oppor-tunity to bring people from the rural ar-eas of the province together to discuss rural sustainability,” he said. “With the decline in population in rural Alberta, some areas are having a challenging time making a go of it, and not just schools.”

for an ATA Fellowship or Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for the following:

ATA Doctoral Fellowships in Education• Two awards of $15,000• For members entering or in first year

of a doctoral program in education Nadene M Thomas Graduate Research Bursary• $5,000• For a member enrolled in a

graduate program in education

Application deadline: Tuesday, February 28

John Mazurek Memorial— Morgex Insurance Scholarship• $2,500• For members who pursue relevant

professional developmentFor more information and to apply• Visit www.teachers.ab.ca then click on

For Members> Grants, Awards and Scholarships

• Contact Barb Bossert: barb.bossert@ata.ab.ca780-447-9461 (Edmonton area) or toll free 1-800-232-7208

Apply now

Interested in Serving on an ATA Committee? Application deadline is March 31, 2017

Each year, a number of practising teachers are selected to serve on Association committees as well as to represent the Association on boards and committees of other organizations and provincial bodies.

Who is eligible to apply? All active and associate members are eligible to serve.

How many teachers are selected to serve each year? About 20–25 appointments are made in a year.

How do I get more information and apply? To find out more and to access an online application form, visit the ATA’s website (www.teachers.ab.ca) and click on Interested in Serving on an ATA Committee? located in the Announcements section of the home page.

APPLY NOW!For more information, contact Lindsay Yakimyshyn at 780-447-9425 (in Edmonton) or 1-800-232-7208 (elsewhere in Alberta).

Si vous voulez recevoir ces renseignements et un formulaire d’inscription en français, appelez Régine Toal: 780-447-9407 (à Edmonton), 1-800-232-7208 (d’ailleurs en Alberta).

8 The ATA News, January 31, 2017

PEC POINTSAudrey Dutka ATA News Staff

Highlights of the Provincial Executive Council meeting held Jan. 19–20, 2017, at Barnett House in Edmonton

1. Approved the 2017/18 proposed budget for presentation to locals, with no proposed increase in fees.

2. Approved, for presentation to the 2017 Annual Representative Assembly (ARA), a resolution setting the annual fee payable by a full-time, active mem-ber at $1,242, effective Sept. 1, 2017.

3. Approved, for presentation to the 2017 ARA, a resolution setting the an-nual fee payable by an associate mem-ber at $186.30, effective Sept. 1, 2017.

4. Approved the name of one recipient of honorary membership in the Asso-ciation, which is reserved for members and other persons who have given meritorious service to the teaching profession, to the Association or to the advancement of education.

5. Approved the name of one recipient of the Public Education Award, which recognizes individuals or groups that have given outstanding support to public education in Alberta other than through teaching.

6. Approved the name of one recipient for an ATA Special Recognition Award, which recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional service to the As-sociation other than through teaching.

7. Directed the president to write a let-ter to school representatives regarding the upcoming Council elections and requesting suggestions, in their role as school representatives, on how to increase voter participation.

8. In keeping with the Alberta Human Rights Act, directed the executive sec-retary to prepare an electoral ballot to amend the Code of Professional Con-duct at the 2018 ARA to include gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination.

9. Received the report of a hearing committee, which found a teacher guilty of four charges of unprofessional conduct for making inappropriate com-ments and engaging in inappropriate actions in the presence of the teacher’s students, thereby failing to treat pupils with dignity and respect and failing to maintain the honour and dignity of the profession; and becoming very emo-tional and engaging in highly personal conversation involving the teacher’s personal life, thereby failing to treat pu-pils with dignity and respect and failing to maintain the honour and dignity of the profession, contrary to the Teaching Profession Act. The hearing committee imposed the penalty of a letter of severe reprimand addressing all four charges and a fine of $250 payable within 90 days of receipt of the written notice.

Failure to pay the fine would result in the suspension of the teacher’s mem-bership in the Association.

10. Received the report of a hearing committee, which charged a teacher with three counts of unprofessional conduct for, on three separate occa-sions, making critical comments about one individual to another individual, contrary to the Teaching Profession Act. There was an agreed statement. The teacher entered a plea of guilty to the second charge; charges one and three were withdrawn. The hearing commit-tee imposed the penalty of a letter of reprimand.

11. Received the report of a hearing committee, which found a teacher guilty of four charges of unprofessional conduct for criticizing the professional competence or professional reputation of an individual by sending disparaging emails about the individual to persons who were not proper officials, contrary to section 13 of the Code of Professional Conduct; for criticizing the professional competence or professional reputation of an individual by sending dispar-aging emails about the individual to other persons without providing the individual with prior copies of these communications, contrary to section 14 of the Code of Professional Con-duct; for sending emails to both of the individual’s superordinates as well as their subordinates, intimating that the individual should have their des-ignation removed, contrary to section 23 of the Teaching Profession Act; and

Council proposes 2017/18 budget with no fee increasefor sending disparaging emails about an individual to persons who were not proper officials, contrary to section 13 of the Code of Professional Conduct. The hearing committee imposed the penalty of a letter of severe reprimand to address charges one, two and three, a second letter of reprimand to address charge four, and a $2,500 fine to be paid within 90 days of receipt of the report. Failure to pay the fine would result in the suspension of the teacher’s mem-bership in the Association.

12. Authorized staff to prepare a pro-posal for the Association to assume control of the 2Learn.ca website, in-cluding financial and human resource implications to the Association, and report back to Council at its February meeting.

13. Approved Council’s position on the resolutions arising from the decennial review of the Teacher Education and Certification long-range policy.

14. Approved in principle and referred to the Resolutions Committee for pro-cessing for the 2017 ARA three resolu-tions—one resolution recommending that teachers assisting in the design and implementation of field experience programs at teacher education pro-grams in Alberta universities should be released for this purpose by their em-ployers on secondment without having to incur reduced compensation, change of full-time equivalency, change in

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The ATA News, January 31, 2017 9

NOTICES AND EVENTS

CLASSIFIEDS

Disclaimer The Alberta Teachers’ Association does not necessarily endorse the products or services

presented in paid advertisements or in the Notices and Events column.

HOTEL RATES A directory of special rates at some of Alberta’s hotels is available online or in hard copy. Available online at www.teachers.ab.ca under Publications.

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Our benefit packages include medical, yearly bonus pay, return flights, free housing and a competitive salary package. Teachers also enjoy a large amount of prep time as our teaching schedules only include two or three full time courses per semester. Our past teachers have described our students as motivated, cooperative and a pleasure to teach.

We are currently filling the following positions:

Starting in August 2017We will be hiring teachers in both schools for the following classes:• Math 10, 20 • Science 10, Physics 20, Chem 20, Bio 20 • Bio 30, Chem 30, • Math 31, Math 30, Physics 30 • English 10, 20, Social Studies 10, 20 • English 30, Social 30 • Art, Music, Drama 10–30 • PE 10, CALM 10

Alberta Certified Teachers Wanted In the 2017-18 School Year For New 1-12 School in Jinan, China.

Lishan International School (Alberta Curriculum 1-12) is a new school opening in Jinan, Shandong Province’s Capital City, in August 2017.  Jinan is located about 400 Km South of Beijing near a mountainous region.

This new school is being run by the city government as a private school for ExPat families and Chinese Nationals who are hoping to pursue Secondary Education in North America.  The school will begin it’s pre-accreditation as an Alberta International School this year.  “LIS” will be the first international school of it’s kind in Jinan and will be filling an important niche in the educational options of the city.The school will be starting this September with grades 1, 7, 9 and 10 with a student population of around 240 students.  

The following positions are available.Canadian Teachers and Administration (Alberta Certified)• Principal or Vice Principal (Must have at least 4 years previous admin as an Alberta Principal) • Grade 1 Home Room (Two Positions) • Grade 7 Core Subjects, PE, and Options (4 Positions) • Grade 9 Core Subjects, PE or Options (4 Postitions) • Grade 10 - Math and CTS • Grade 10 English and CTS • Grade 10 Social Studies CTS • Grade 10 Science and CTS

Representatives from the school will be attending the Calgary Teacher’s Convention on February 16-17 and the Paliser Teachers Convention on February 23-24.  Please stop by our booth in the Telus Convention Centre in Calgary if you are attending these conferences.  We will also be conducting Interviews for all three schools in Calgary at the Hyatt Hotel on February 18-19.   Edmonton Interviews will be at the Fantasy Land Hotel on February 25-26.   Interested applicants may send resumes to davies.fb@gmail.com.

Visit us at www.qisalberta.org

Indigenous Shining Student AwardThe Indigenous Shining Student Award is awarded annually to a First Nations, Métis or Inuit student who demonstrates leadership and inspires others. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a grades 10–12 program in a school operated by an Alberta school board or a First Nations education authority and exemplify the following characteristics:1. Pursuing their goal or dream

despite challenges2. Persevering in their studies3. Maintaining a positive outlook on

their future opportunities4. Promoting their heritage and

culture

5. Providing leadership within a cultural perspective

6. Embracing and respecting the heritage of all

Students can be nominated by a teacher, student, principal, superintendent, trustee or school staff. Nominations must be received by Feb. 28 and include a letter outlining why the individual is deserving of recognition and at least one additional recommendation letter.Nominations will be considered by a committee comprised of one representative from each of the education partner organizations — Alberta Teachers’ Association, Alberta School Boards Association, Alberta

Travel and Recreation“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Join us for an amazing 15-day cultural adventure to China. $3199 includes hotels, meals, transport, guides, and admissions to sites. Run by teachers for teachers (and others). Payment plan available. For flyer contact: e.mouland@AsianCuriosityTours.com 

Teach in China for 2 or 4 weeks in July 2017. Interested? Check us out at www.china-connecting.ca

Discover East AfricaVolunteer teachers needed to mentor teachers in Burundi Tanbur African Aid Society has an English School using the Alberta Curriculum. Accommodations, meals, laundry provided. Tax receipt for airfare provided. Contact Ann at Tanburtaas@gmail.com

Okanagan Suite (Accommodates 6) – Lake Country minutes from Kelowna (YLW)Ski, golf, lakes, wineries, orchards.  Photos & details at www.justaweekaway.ca

Goods and ServicesMindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for healthcare and other professionals. March 1 to April 8, participants will learn foundational mindfulness exercises, develop their own mindfulness practise, and learn to integrate mindfulness into personal and professional life. For more information: www.mindfulnessinstitute.ca Phone: 780-919-0693

School Councils’ Association, College of Alberta School Superintendents, and Alberta Education FNMI Field Services Branch — and one person appointed by the Education Partners’ Task Force.The successful candidate will receive an opportunity to attend a youth conference on leadership and change, with financial support for registration, travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses. The recipient will also be recognized in their home community or school at a locally arranged event.An online nomination form can be found at www.asba.ab.ca/wp-content /uploads/2014/07/FNMI_nom_2017 _v3.pdf.

10 The ATA News, January 31, 2017

Advertising by institutions offering educational programs is accepted by the ATA News on a commercial basis. There is no guarantee that these institutions fulfill the requirements for consideration as a recognized institution for salary grid purposes.Teachers considering enrolling in educational programs for purposes of increasing salary levels should consult the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board Principles or inquire directly to the Teacher Qualifications Service regarding the acceptability of the program.

Attention teachersThe ATA News advertisements

of institution programs

For more information: 780-633-3623 | stay@macewan.ca

MacEwan.ca/StayHere

More than a Residence

• Affordable Group Rates

• Two and Four Bedroom Private Suites

• Safe and Convenient to Attractions Including: Alberta Legislature, City Hall, Rogers Place and TELUS World of Science

• Complimentary Bus Parking

• Meal Options Available

French Immersion Teachers

Black Gold Regional Division No. 18

is actively seeking French Immersion Teachers for the

2017-18 school year.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and two letters of

reference to Michelle Unchulenko,

HR Coordinator at michelle.unchulenko@blackgold.ca

Teaching students their

through humane education

Visit our booth at Teachers’

Convention for:

Free classroom posters, rulers, prizes and more!

Resources to inspire empathy compassion, and responsibility

Treat it Right!® is a series

of teachers’ guides designed

to provide Edmonton teachers with

lessons, readings, and activities that

link the storm and wastewater systems

to the science curriculum.

The program includes:

Treat it Right!® Wastewater (Grade 4) (English and French)

Treat it Right!® Storm Water (Grade 5) (English and French)

Treat it Right!® LID (Grade 7)

Treat it Right!® Wastewater (Grade 8)

Treat it Right!® Storm Water (Grade 8)

Treat it Right!® Puppet Show (Grades 2 and 4) Check available dates at:

www.treatitrightpuppetshow.ca Contact: Joel Kafka at 780-450-9173

joel@puppetualmotion.net

Treat it Right!® Wetland Field Trip (Grade 5) Contact: Leah Wilson at

780-267-6543 treatitrightgrade5@gmail.com

For more information, contact: Janice Dewar at 780-496-5431 janice.dewar@edmonton.ca

www.edmonton.ca/

drainage/education

Treat it Right!®

Sign up for email to receive Members’ Updates: http://bit.ly/1uJm122

The ATA News, January 31, 2017 11

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

Lethbridge School District No. 51 is seeking dynamic, collaborative and innovative French Immersion teachers to join our community in the 2017-2018 school year. Opportunities will be available at all levels (Elementary, Middle & High School). Candidates must be committed to ensuring that a contemporary and engaging learning environment is provided to all students. In addition, successful candidates will:

Believe in bringing out the best in each of their students. Possess strong teaching skills; including the areas of

numeracy and literacy. Possess strong skills in the area of differentiated

instruction and the development of individual student programs.

Be committed to working in an inclusive environment. Be able to integrate technology and the ICT outcomes

into the regular program. Be able to work closely with the Immersion team to build

a strong French culture and language experience in the school building.

Be open to team planning and have strong organization and communication skills.

Participation in the bigger school and District culture.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter and current references quoting competition #T501,

to hr.ata@lethsd.ab.ca Subject line MUST include the following:

T501, last name, first name (Example: T501, Doe, John)

Posting will remain open until suitable candidates are found.

We thank all applicants for your interest in our District; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

Lethbridge School District No. 51 is seeking dynamic, collaborative and innovative French Immersion teachers to join our community in the 2017-2018 school year. Opportunities will be available at all levels (Elementary, Middle & High School). Candidates must be committed to ensuring that a contemporary and engaging learning environment is provided to all students. In addition, successful candidates will:

Believe in bringing out the best in each of their students. Possess strong teaching skills; including the areas of

numeracy and literacy. Possess strong skills in the area of differentiated

instruction and the development of individual student programs.

Be committed to working in an inclusive environment. Be able to integrate technology and the ICT outcomes

into the regular program. Be able to work closely with the Immersion team to build

a strong French culture and language experience in the school building.

Be open to team planning and have strong organization and communication skills.

Participation in the bigger school and District culture.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter and current references quoting competition #T501,

to hr.ata@lethsd.ab.ca Subject line MUST include the following:

T501, last name, first name (Example: T501, Doe, John)

Posting will remain open until suitable candidates are found.

We thank all applicants for your interest in our District; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

Lethbridge School District No. 51 is seeking dynamic, collaborative and innovative French Immersion teachers to join our community in the 2017-2018 school year. Opportunities will be available at all levels (Elementary, Middle & High School). Candidates must be committed to ensuring that a contemporary and engaging learning environment is provided to all students. In addition, successful candidates will:

Believe in bringing out the best in each of their students. Possess strong teaching skills; including the areas of

numeracy and literacy. Possess strong skills in the area of differentiated

instruction and the development of individual student programs.

Be committed to working in an inclusive environment. Be able to integrate technology and the ICT outcomes

into the regular program. Be able to work closely with the Immersion team to build

a strong French culture and language experience in the school building.

Be open to team planning and have strong organization and communication skills.

Participation in the bigger school and District culture.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter and current references quoting competition #T501,

to hr.ata@lethsd.ab.ca Subject line MUST include the following:

T501, last name, first name (Example: T501, Doe, John)

Posting will remain open until suitable candidates are found.

We thank all applicants for your interest in our District; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

Are you looking for a creative way to teach your students about healthy eating?Kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers using a Dairy Farmers of Canada nutrition education program or resource this year can enter to win a smoothie kit!

Smoothie Power partners: Breakfast for Learning, Dietitians of Canada and Ever Active Schools

Visit albertamilk.com/smoothiepower for more information.

ADVENTUREEDUCATION

• Ideal for educators, outdoor activity leaders and human service professionals

• 13-month blended program

Acceptable Integrated Program for BC TQS category upgrading. Pre-approval recommended.

camosun.ca/adventure 250-370-3550

Post-Degree Diploma

Facilitate experiential learning through a variety of outdoor and adventure-based activities.

• Starting Summer 2017

Sign up for the Canada Games Activity Challenge today. Inscrivez-vous au Défi actif Jeux du Canada.

#CGAC150canadagames.ca/activitychallengejeuxducanada.ca/defiactif

Get inspired to get active.Inspirez-les à être actifs!

ATRF Personal InterviewsPersonal interviews are for plan members who are seeking informa on about their pension amount, increasing their pension or preparing for re rement.

To register go to ATRF.com and in the Teachers’ sec on, click on Meet with Us. Register early as space is limited and appointments book quickly.

March / April / MayMarchAprilAprilMay

CALGARYRED DEER

LETHBRIDGEMEDICINE HAT

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Pension Decisions?A fortune cookie is not a recommended

strategy for planning your future...

We’re here to help.

Autos for sale2013 Toyota Highlander LTD 4WD

Features: Remote starter, dual power seats, heated front seats, steering wheel controls, power moon roof, power lift gate. Comes with a set of winter tires with rims. Windshield and brakes were replaced in the last month.

Colour: Magnetic greyEngine: 6cyl, 3.5lDrivetrain: 4WDTransmission: 5-speed automaticKilometres: 123,150 km

Sealed bids for the above vehicle should be marked “Car Bid,” and addressed to:

Tracy Pohl, AccountantAlberta Teachers’ Association11010 142 Street, Edmonton ABT5N 2R1

Bids will be accepted until 5 p.m., Feb. 28, 2017.

For more information, contact Tracy Pohl. Telephone: 780-447-9452 in Edmonton and area, or 1-800-232-7208 (toll free) from elsewhere in Alberta. The Alberta Teachers’ Association reserves the right to refuse the highest bid if it is deemed to be inadequate.

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

Lethbridge School District No. 51 is seeking dynamic, collaborative and innovative French Immersion teachers to join our community in the 2017-2018 school year. Opportunities will be available at all levels (Elementary, Middle & High School). Candidates must be committed to ensuring that a contemporary and engaging learning environment is provided to all students. In addition, successful candidates will:

Believe in bringing out the best in each of their students. Possess strong teaching skills; including the areas of

numeracy and literacy. Possess strong skills in the area of differentiated

instruction and the development of individual student programs.

Be committed to working in an inclusive environment. Be able to integrate technology and the ICT outcomes

into the regular program. Be able to work closely with the Immersion team to build

a strong French culture and language experience in the school building.

Be open to team planning and have strong organization and communication skills.

Participation in the bigger school and District culture.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter and current references quoting competition #T501,

to hr.ata@lethsd.ab.ca Subject line MUST include the following:

T501, last name, first name (Example: T501, Doe, John)

Posting will remain open until suitable candidates are found.

We thank all applicants for your interest in our District; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

Lethbridge School District No. 51 is seeking dynamic, collaborative and innovative French Immersion teachers to join our community in the 2017-2018 school year. Opportunities will be available at all levels (Elementary, Middle & High School). Candidates must be committed to ensuring that a contemporary and engaging learning environment is provided to all students. In addition, successful candidates will:

Believe in bringing out the best in each of their students. Possess strong teaching skills; including the areas of

numeracy and literacy. Possess strong skills in the area of differentiated

instruction and the development of individual student programs.

Be committed to working in an inclusive environment. Be able to integrate technology and the ICT outcomes

into the regular program. Be able to work closely with the Immersion team to build

a strong French culture and language experience in the school building.

Be open to team planning and have strong organization and communication skills.

Participation in the bigger school and District culture.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter and current references quoting competition #T501,

to hr.ata@lethsd.ab.ca Subject line MUST include the following:

T501, last name, first name (Example: T501, Doe, John)

Posting will remain open until suitable candidates are found.

We thank all applicants for your interest in our District; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

Lethbridge School District No. 51 is seeking dynamic, collaborative and innovative French Immersion teachers to join our community in the 2017-2018 school year. Opportunities will be available at all levels (Elementary, Middle & High School). Candidates must be committed to ensuring that a contemporary and engaging learning environment is provided to all students. In addition, successful candidates will:

Believe in bringing out the best in each of their students. Possess strong teaching skills; including the areas of

numeracy and literacy. Possess strong skills in the area of differentiated

instruction and the development of individual student programs.

Be committed to working in an inclusive environment. Be able to integrate technology and the ICT outcomes

into the regular program. Be able to work closely with the Immersion team to build

a strong French culture and language experience in the school building.

Be open to team planning and have strong organization and communication skills.

Participation in the bigger school and District culture.

Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter and current references quoting competition #T501,

to hr.ata@lethsd.ab.ca Subject line MUST include the following:

T501, last name, first name (Example: T501, Doe, John)

Posting will remain open until suitable candidates are found.

We thank all applicants for your interest in our District; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

LETHBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 51

January 31, 2017 Volume 51, Number 10

TALEEND

contract status or reduction in any ben-efits deriving from their employment—a second resolution recommending that teacher education programs in Alberta should ensure that the preparation of teachers to work with a diversity of stu-dents is comprehensive and includes el-ements that prepare teachers to respond to the socioeconomic, ethnocultural and linguistic diversity of students; support the success of indigenous students; plan effectively for the inclusion of students with exceptionalities in inclusive learn-ing environments; implement strategies for teaching a wide range of learners, including those with exceptionalities in inclusive settings; implement effective instructional practices within multi-grade classrooms; and recognize gen-dered practices in schools and develop

and implement effective instructional strategies that recognize and respect the range of gender and sexual identi-ties—and a third resolution urging the Government of Alberta to prohibit re-parative therapy practices that attempt to change, cure, fix or repair an individ-ual’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

15. Approved in principle and referred to the Resolutions Committee for pro-cessing for the 2017 ARA resolutions amending a current directive and long-range policies so that they reflect amend-ments made to the Alberta Human Rights Act and to update the language in keep-ing with the Act to Amend the Alberta Bill of Rights to Protect Our Children.

16. Approved in principle the School Board Elections Plan, 2017, and au-thorized an overexpenditure of $5,000, representing one-half of the total local grants available, to allow the

PEC POINTScontinued from page 8

disbursement to begin in the 2016/17 year.

17. Approved that the Association host a women’s caucus meeting during Sum-mer Conference 2017 and that an over-expenditure of $5,000 be added to the Summer Conference budget for this meeting.

18. Approved amendments to the ad-ministrative guidelines with respect to the grant-in-aid procedures for accom-modation and eligible parking charges for the Edmonton Beginning Teachers’ Conference.

19. Approved amendments to the teachers’ conventions section of the ad-ministrative guidelines to establish rules around attending alternate teachers’ conventions when external scheduling conflicts occur.

20. Approved amendments to the special-ist councils section of the administrative guidelines to improve their professional development planning practices.

21. Approved an amendment to the frame of reference for the Lethbridge Area Field Experiences Committee.

22. Approved the removal of the issue “Inquiry-Based Professional Learning” from the issues bank.

23. Authorized the attendance of three Council members at the Canadian Teach-ers’ Federation Women’s Symposium/Equal Voice’s Daughters of the Vote Event, scheduled for March 6–8 in Ottawa.

24. Authorized the attendance of up to three Council members at the Alberta Rural Education Symposium, scheduled for March 5–7 in Edmonton.

25. Authorized the purchase of a table of eight for the Parkland Institute Gala Dinner and Silent Auction, scheduled for Feb. 16 in Edmonton.

26. Approved dates of key Associa-tion-sponsored meetings and Council meetings for the 2017/18 school year.

Cory HareATA News Managing Editor

Digital monitoring of students’ and teachers’ online activities is having

a negative effect on learning in Cana-dian classrooms.

That was one of the messages con-veyed during a one-day workshop entitled Privacy Implications in the Networked Classroom, which took place at Barnett House on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Among the lineup of expert speakers was Valerie Steeves, a University of Ottawa researcher who specializes in human rights and technology issues.

“The super surveillance that students experience in the networked classroom is bad for learning, precisely because the ability to retreat and to enjoy pri-vacy from the teacher and from peers is an essential part of the learning pro-cess,” Steeves said.

In summarizing the findings of research conducted within the last number of years, Steeves referred to technology — known as “digital mon-itoring” — that monitors the websites that students access, the words they type and their online conversations.

Steeves noted that this technology is ubiquitous in Canadian schools and that it not only monitors students, but teachers as well. Studies have found similar concerns among both groups.

“Students see this as a form of hyper- control that encourages teachers and parents to overreact, to misread their interactions,” Steeves said.

“Teachers are most concerned about the negative impact the digital surveil-lance has on their relationships with others in the school.”

Researchers have heard from teach-ers over and over again that this type of surveillance shuts down important

Digital surveillance detrimental to learning, expert says

teachable moments that would enable the teacher to help kids learn how to deal with online content, Steeves said. The technology also harms teachers’ relationships with school administra-tors, as it signals that teachers are no longer trusted to exercise professional judgment.

“Our research has indicated that digital surveillance disrupts the social relationships in the classroom,” Steeves said, “by casting students and teachers as objects of suspicion and by casting teachers and administrators as agents of surveillance.”

SUPPORTING A STUDENT’S

INHERENT RIGHT TO LEARN

WITH INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING FOR

EACH AND EVERY CHILD.

Find out more at storyofATA.com

Valerie Steeves of the University of Ottawa speaks at an event entitled Privacy Implications in the Networked Classroom, hosted at Barnett House on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.

CORY HARE

The same lineup of speakers also shared their expertise during a public lecture entitled Big Data, Little Kids: Privacy, Digital Literacy & Networked Classrooms. That lecture was livestreamed online and is now available as a video archive at https://tinyurl.com/bigdatalittlekids.

Priscilla Regan | George Mason University educational software

Leslie Shade | University of Toronto social media monitoring of schools

Jane Bailey | University of Ottawa education law and policy on cyberbullying

Privacy Implications in the Networked ClassroomOther experts who shared their insights