Schools Rally Around Orange Shirt Day

Curriculum development begins LONG DAYS... Experts gather to begin long process. LIMITED VALUE? See story on page 5.

ATANEWS Non-instructional days on the rise See infographic on page 3. October 11, 2016 Volume 51, Number 4 News Publication of The Alberta Teachers’ Association Schools rally around Orange Shirt Day

See pages 8 and 9 for coverage.

CORY HARE Melissa Purcell (far right), a teacher employed with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education, Edmonton Public Schools, leads a group of indigenous dancers during the launch of Orange Shirt Day at Edmonton’s city hall on Friday, Sept. 30. They danced for healing for residential school survivors, their families and the community. CTF Corner New feature showcases work of national counterparts at the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. See page 4.

Back to school Cabin fever Unemployed tradespeople consider teaching as a career option. Construction program provides students with real-world experience. See story on page 5. See story on page 7.

teachers.ab.ca WHAT’S ONLINE? New issue of the ATA Magazine: International Partnerships

Official ATA iOS app

Registration open: Leadership Essentials for Administrators

Teacher Qualifications Service Publication Mail Agreement #40065477 The 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. Editor-in-Chief: Jonathan Teghtmeyer | [email protected] | 780-447-9477 ATANEWS Managing Editor: Cory Hare | [email protected] | 780-447-9438 Advertising and Business Manager: Kim Dewar | [email protected] | 780-447-9436 October 11, 2016 Volume 51, Number 4 Designers: Yuet Chan and Erin Solano Copy Editors: ATA Editorial Staff Make your voice heard on testing issues

about what exactly he is planning to do testing model for our students.” related matters. Inordinate and unnec- EDITORIAL about PATs and other standardized and Because the Association’s long-stand- essary attention is paid to these instru- international tests,” said Smith. ing policy to eliminate PATs is voted on ments by the media, trustees, school Jonathan Teghtmeyer A Calgary parent group posted a every three years with near unanimity board administrators and even parents. ATA News Editor-in-Chief release that suggested some sort of among 500 teachers at the Annual Rep- We need to talk about how this pressure backroom deal between Eggen and the resentative Assembly, I found it odd that is eroding rich learning in schools. Association. The group’s spokesperson a teacher as education minister and a We know three things principal- said that Alberta Education has “es- teacher as education critic would trade ly about standardized tests: (1) they ast month, an editorial I wrote in sentially given the union control over barbs over protecting standardized measure parental income levels are Lthis paper on changes to the Grade curriculum development” and this, tests. most effective at; (2) they assess only a 6 math Provincial Achievement Test combined with my editorial, according But I suppose this is recognition that small fraction of the learning that goes (PAT) made some waves after a state- to the group confirmed that a secret we still have work to do with the public on in schools; and (3) the results come ment in it drew the attention of some, agreement must exist. and elected officials over issues with too late to actually help students who including the Wildrose Party. I closed need it. the column by stating that tweaks to So, whether or not you are teaching Grade 3, whether or not We also need to tell our stories about PATs will be irrelevant once the tests the Student Learning Assessments have been eliminated “as promised.” (SLAs). The minister is assessing the Of course, I was referring to the May you are in the pilot this year, your experience related to SLAs value of these tools now as well. So, 2013 announcement made by then whether or not you are teaching Grade education minister Jeff Johnson that 3, whether or not you are in the pilot PATs would be ended and replaced with needs to be considered before important decisions are made. this year, your experience related to beginning-of-the-year assessments. SLAs needs to be considered before Yet, three years later, we still have PATs. I wish we had a firm agreement with standardized testing. important decisions are made. The response to the “as promised” Eggen to finally eliminate PATs. We do Teachers need to tell their stories If Minister Eggen is “committed to clause in reference to the elimination not. I was merely hoping to push the about the harmful impacts of the finding the best testing model for our of PATs was interesting to say the least. minister to confirm his intention to 35-year-old PAT regime, not just the students,” then teachers need to make Wildrose education critic and former move forward on the last stated public stress that students experience, but their voices heard. ❚ position of the government on PATs: to also the stress that is placed on class- teacher Mark Smith challenged current I welcome your comments—contact education minister David Eggen to clar- get rid of them. rooms in general. I think many people me at [email protected]. ify his position on standardized testing. Eggen did reply to the Wildrose state- would be surprised to learn how many “With the ATA seeming to set the ment. In a tweet, he wrote, “We are not people-hours are spent in meetings agenda about standardized testing, removing standardized tests. What I and board-directed staff development Minister Eggen needs to provide clarity have committed to is finding the best days discussing PAT results and various The profession and the union

The Association does stand members under the Labour Relations Q & A Code and the Public Education Col- up for its members. But we lective Bargaining Act. Since 1942, the Gordon Thomas Association has held the bargaining It’s just really also protect the public and certificates for our active members Executive Secretary across the province. We routinely rep- the profession from the resent our members when there are concerns that parents or others may sad to see that I read that a teacher was Question: unacceptable professional be unreasonable. Bullying a teacher is hounded by a parent for disciplining entirely unacceptable, but that’s very their child and hauled in front of a conduct of members, different from a complaint filed under the kids are professional conduct committee and the Teaching Profession Act about a threatened with the loss of the teach- including taking action that teacher’s professional conduct. In rare er’s career. This is getting ridiculous. and very extreme cases, the Association I’m tired of teachers being bullied by can remove members from has initiated civil action against indi- missing out. parents. Why doesn’t my union stand viduals who defamed teachers, and we up for me? the profession of teaching. have won substantial awards through the courts. Answer: Whoa. Let’s start with some a complaint is received, I am required to So the Association does stand up for facts. The Alberta Teachers’ Association investigate the complaint and to consid- its members. But we also protect the was established under the Teaching er whether the concerns raised in the public and the profession from the Profession Act, first passed in 1934, and investigation warrant a hearing. Where Alethea Wallace, principal, unacceptable professional conduct our objects outline our statutory obliga- there is sufficient evidence of unpro- of members, including taking action Alexis School, tions. One of our obligations is to professional conduct, I order a hearing of that can remove members from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation the Professional Conduct Committee. tect the public and the profession from profession of teaching. Our obligations The Association’s responsibility is to conduct that is unacceptable. Conduct include both professional regulatory protect the public and the profession, Responding to a news report standards are set by the Association and union functions. that First Nations schools are and appear as the Code of Professional so our role is to present our concerns to If you have further questions about Conduct, approved by our Annual Rep- the hearing committee. The Association our obligations, feel free to contact me lagging behind provincially- resentative Assembly. does not represent the member whose at Barnett House. ❚ funded schools due to chronic A process has been established to professional conduct has been called underfunding and systemic address allegations of unprofessional into question. Questions for consideration in this conduct, and any person can lodge a While we have very clear obligations column are welcome. Please address shortfalls. As reported by the CBC. complaint about the conduct of any to protect the public and the profession, them to Gordon Thomas at Barnett active member of the Association. When we also have responsibilities to our House ([email protected]).

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

Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40065477 ISSN 0001-267X Download the app now by Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to the following address: Member of Canadian Educational Press Association scanning the QR code or Editorial Office, Barnett House, 11010 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 2R1 Association canadienne de la presse éducationnelle searching “Alberta teachers” Telephone: 780-447-9400 in Edmonton;1-800-232-7208 toll free in Alberta in the App Store. The ATA News, October 11, 2016 ❚ 3

LONG DAYS... YOUR VIEWS LIMITED VALUE? ON THE TWITTERSPHERE Tweets from #WorldTeachersDay Some school divisions are filling up teachers’ time with an increasing number of working days or part days (through early dismissal) without Rachel Notley @RachelNotley students present. Non-instructional days are often filled with board- Thank you to all the Alberta teachers who share their directed meetings, staff development or inservicing, which has less care, compassion & wisdom with Alberta’s incredible value to teachers than self-directed time. kids. Happy #WorldTeachersDay! Alberta Education @AlbertaEd While most boards dedicate between 13 and 18 days to non- Happy #WorldTeachersDay to all #ABEd teachers! instructional activity, 14 boards have more than 19 non-instructional days this year, and five boards have 23 or more non-instructional days. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Miss Shelby Stark @MissShelbyStark As non-instructional days are added, instructional days are removed, I was inspired by the impact that some of my teachers resulting in the same learning outcomes squeezed into fewer, longer days. had on my life. Darrel Robertson @EPSB_Super 14 It’s #WorldTeachersDay & I can’t say enough about 27 days WESTWIND SCHOOL DIVISION 12 12 our amazing teachers. My thanks to each of them. 26 days FORT MCMURRAY CATHOLIC Aaron Fitchett @AaronFitchett 8 8 Thank you, #teachers — October 5th is World Teach- 25 days FORT MCMURRAY PUBLIC ers’ Day! Thanks for all you do! 5 24 days WOLF CREEK SCHOOL DIVISION Troy Davies @troydavies72 If you can read this tweet, thank a #teacher! Happy 1123 days NORTHLAND SCHOOL DIVISION #WorldTeachersDay! NUMBER OF BOARDS

10 11 –12 13–14 15–16 17–18 19–20 21–22 23 Source: ATA analysis of 2016/17 school jurisdiction calendars Holy Spirit Schools @HolySpiritCSD or less or more Thank you to all #hs4 teachers for your dedicated 2016/17 NON-INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS service to our students. Robert Twerdoclib @VPRobertATA Saluting the daily passion of dedicated classroom teachers around the world! Greg Jeffery @ab_teacher Let’s talk about professional time With @KevinKempt wishing all teachers a great #WorldTeachersDay #UnitedWeStand. other professionals, as well as self- M McWhinnie @mcwhinnie VIEWPOINTS directed professional development. Celebrating our excellent educational staff across By describing our work life in @WCPS72 today for World Teachers’ Day! #abed @ Sandra Johnston this way, we can begin to change albertateachers. Thank you for your impact! the conversations we have with Co-ordinator, ATA Teacher Welfare Public Interest AB @PIAlberta that pesky neighbour or uncle — Today we honour teachers and educators around the and even with others who might be province (and the globe!) Thank you! more supportive and sympathetic. id you know that instructing time in a teacher’s workplace — no We can change the conversation Tweets from #orangeshirt day Dstudents makes up only about other job is like that in this regard. by talking about how the heart and half of a teacher’s regular work But if we talked more about the fact joy of our work is the instructional ndnviewpoint @mahtowin1 day? that less than half of our working time, the time spent directly on stu- Indigenous communities were devastated by the This is just one of the very in- time is spent in the classroom, we dent learning. But we can also talk residential schools. Imagine what it sounded like with teresting insights learned from might surprise some people. about how we need professional all the children gone. time to properly support students’ the comprehensive Alberta We in Teacher Welfare have David Eggen @davideggenAB instructional needs and ensure Teacher Workload Study released come up with a model for how we It’s an honour to join staff & students at Little Buffalo last spring. This intensive study that the instructional time is used can talk about teacher time. School for #orangeshirtday. tracked the working hours of more effectively. than 1,500 teachers and 110 school Professional Finally, we can talk about how Rolling Hills School @RHillsSchool administrators through the course Time lately our professional time is be- #OrangeShirtDay getting ready to run our #TerryFox of the 2014/15 school year. Assigned Time ing squeezed by an increasingly run! expanding assigned time circle. The study found that, in a reg- Instructional Grasslands Schools @GPSD6 ular work week, teachers work an Time Many activities and tasks are being #OrangeShirtDay and #TerryFox run all in the same average of 48 hours, including an assigned to us by school boards day!?!? That’s a whole lotta givin’ goin’ on!! Great average of seven hours outside of and are getting in the way of our work! the regular school day (defined in ability to spend time on the activ- the study as 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and ities that are required to support 3.4 hours on weekends. Not in- This model involves three nested the classroom. cluded in that number is the time circles. The smallest one, repre- In this way, we shift the conversa- put in over holiday periods, includ- senting 50 per cent of the total area, tion. It’s not about teachers wanting ing an average of 72 hours in the is labelled “instructional time.” to do less; it’s about teachers want- summer. Of course, administrators The next circle is “assigned time.” ing to do more of the things that log even more time than that. This circle includes all the time actually matter to learning. We’ve all had the conversation teachers spend working on stuff This should resonate with par- with a neighbour or uncle about assigned by their employers. It ents and others who care about how little teachers work, when includes the time spent instructing the quality of instruction that they say you only work about six students, but it also includes activ- students receive. Public opinion hours a day and get 12 weeks off ities like lunch and recess super- polling done by the Association each year. vision, parent–teacher interviews, this past June found that more Well, the Alberta Teacher Work- staff meetings, board-directed than three-quarters of Albertans load Study provides a clear indi- inservicing and mandated col- agreed that addressing teachers’ cation that, over the course of a laboration time. According to the workloads would improve public full year, teachers work a similar workload study, this circle amounts education in Alberta. number of hours (2016) as oth- to a total of about 75 per cent of But to achieve the necessary er professionals. But I am quite teachers’ time. improvements, we need to start by convinced that these neighbours Finally, the outermost circle is expanding the general public’s un- and uncles of ours aren’t going described as “professional time.” derstanding of what teacher work to care much about how long we Teachers’ professional time in- looks like, and that begins with the work. Albertans are hard-working cludes all the instructional and use of some common language. people and many people work long other assigned duties but also So, the next time your uncle hours. I do, however, think they all the work required to fulfill starts in about how little teachers will care about how we spend our their obligations as professionals. work, respond by talking about time working. This includes lesson planning how less than half of your time is It’s easy for the regular Joe or and preparation, assessment de- spent in the classroom and how Jane Albertan to create a picture of sign, development and marking, you would love to have more pro- what teachers do all day. After all, communicating with parents, and fessional time to support the work everyone has spent considerable consulting with colleagues and done there. ❚ 4 ❚ The ATA News, October 11, 2016

CTF-FCE @CanTeachersFed CTF CORNER www.ctf-fce.ca Ottawa rally supports Turkish teachers New resource addresses mental OTTAWA — Teachers, educators and professors held a World Teachers’ Day rally across the street from the Embas- health stigma sy of the Republic of Turkey in Ottawa on Oct. 5 to protest the suspension of OTTAWA – The Canadian Teachers’ more than 28,000 teacher colleagues Federation (CTF) is proud to release a and tens of thousands of other public- discussion booklet for Grades 5 to 12 sector workers since the failed coup entitled Mental Health Stigma: Chal- this summer. The rally was organized by the Ca- lenging It Together! The booklet was nadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) developed to help teachers open up and the Canadian Association of Uni- classroom discussions on mental health versity Teachers (CAUT) in response stigma to increase students’ comfort to the global call for action issued by level when talking about mental health. Education International (EI), the body “Stigma and discrimination are by far representing over 32 million educators the biggest barriers hindering dialogue from around the world. and support for everyone’s mental Organizers hope to meet with the health and wellness,” says CTF presi- ambassador to present him with a dent Heather Smith. “The findings of a formal letter signed by the unions and survey we conducted in 2012 with the organizations representing over half a Mental Health Commission of Canada million Canadian educators. The letter, confirmed that classroom teachers addressed to Turkish President Recep often face systemic, professional and Tayyip Erdo an, urges him to abide by ǧ personal barriers when dealing with international conventions to which his the many individual student mental country is a signatory and to reinstate health challenges in the classroom. the tens of thousands of educators and public sector workers who were dis- “When we can help youth better un- missed since the failed coup on July 15. derstand the issue of mental health, and PAUL JONES The latest figures provided by EĞITIM address the century-old stereotypes SEN, the EI Affiliate in Turkey, show the Canadian Teachers’ Federation president Heather Smith (left) participates in a protest at and stigma, we can raise awareness, unprecedented scale of this repressive the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Ottawa on Oct. 5. Speaking into the microphone is promote understanding, acceptance Brenda Austin-Smith, vice-president of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, and campaign. holding the speaker is Francine Filion, CTF’s director of communications. and empathy, which can go a long way • In July, as many as 28,163 education in breaking down the stigma that sur- workers were dismissed. rounds a complex illness. • Also in July, a further 112 EĞITIM SEN Together we urge your government to reverse course “We hope this booklet will help to members and officials were removed foster a safe and caring environment from their positions, including 36 and rescind the unlawful measures taken against for students and allow them to open up academics who had signed a petition and talk about stigma in a most com- demanding peace. the education community. passionate manner,” concludes Smith. • On Sept. 8, another 11,301 education — Joint letter to the Turkish president from the Canadian Teachers’ Federation The booklet is available for purchase workers were suspended; 9,843 of and other education groups through CTF’s website at publications. them are EĞITIM SEN members. ❚ ctf-fce.ca ❚ Two Red Deer teachers honoured by family publication Laura Harris first. Nye finished just behind her with “I’ve had this award given to me, but taught over the years, and the commu- ATA News Staff 66,000 votes. it was the support of my co-workers, nity, support what I’m doing,” she said. Sveinson is a teacher and counsel- colleagues and the school that made it “I teach with a lot of highly educated lor at Central Middle School. She was a possibility,” Sveinson said. and phenomenal educators in Red or most teachers it would be a recognized for her determination to As for her $2,500 prize, she plans to Deer and it’s really a special thing to Fdream to start the school year with ensure all students feel accepted and ensure all students at Central Middle be singled out.” $2,500 to spend on their students. For connected to their school community School benefit from it. Nye, an avid traveller who has been to members of Red Deer Local No. 60 through curricular and extracurricular “It will be used directly for kids in 53 countries, plans to put her winnings Karen Sveinson and Amy Nye, it was a initiatives including literacy, diversity, the school to really enhance the clubs toward the purchase of virtual reality reality, thanks to being voted winners mentoring and guidance counselling that we have here,” she said, listing goggles and Google cardboard to allow of the 10th annual Canadian Family programs and a “swap-n-shop” where everything from books for the literacy students the opportunity to go on vir- Teacher Awards this past summer. students can pick up food and gen- program to helmets for the skateboard tual field trips around the world. Canadian Family is an online publi- tly-used clothing items. club as potential purchases. Sveinson and Nye were two of four cation focused on enhancing the lives “It was such a humbling and reward- Nye teaches Grade 4 at Barrie Wilson Alberta teachers to make the short- of Canadian parents. Nominations for ing experience at the same time … it School, in addition to running the list of 12 finalists. The other two were the awards are made by Canadians to was a real magical moment to have the school’s news studio, which is staffed Gaylene MacKay from Lindsay Thurber recognize outstanding elementary and support of everyone,” said Sveinson, by Grade 5 student volunteers. She was High School in Red Deer and Matt Bur- secondary teachers in their communi- who over her 38-year career has been recognized for engaging her students in rows from Jasper Place Composite High ties. From all nominees, a panel of edu- inspired by many of her teacher col- learning through authentic research, School in Edmonton. Information on all cation experts from across the country leagues, especially her sister, who was digital technology and integrating core the Canadian Family Teacher Awards selects 12 finalists, with the winners recently diagnosed with a degenerative subjects like social studies and lan- can be found at canadianfamily.ca. ❚ selected through online voting. brain disease, but continues to devote guage arts. Like Sveinson, Nye said she This year, Sveinson received 74,000 a great portion of her life to teaching was humbled by the award. votes out of the 327,500 cast to finish in Cambodia. “It’s really nice to know the kids I’ve

STORIES AND PHOTOS WANTED If 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: [email protected]. The ATA News, October 11, 2016 ❚ 5 Curriculum development begins

Cory Hare ATA News Managing Editor

undreds of educators from all over the province Hgathered at the University of Alberta on Oct. 3 and 4 to start the process of redeveloping Alberta’s K–12 curriculum. Education Minister David Eggen announced in June that he was launching a $64-million review of the Alberta curriculum. Alberta Education has since assembled expert working groups that will focus on the development of new curriculum in mathematics, English language arts, French language arts, français, social studies, sciences, wellness education and arts education. The two-day working group gathering at the U of A was the first step in what’s expected to be a six-year process. Those gathered included teachers and academics, as well as representatives from school boards, superintendents and parent groups. CORY HARE An event organizer watches as a video outlines Alberta Education’s vision for curriculum development at a gathering “I think that all of us know in our hearts that it’s not of expert working groups at the University of Alberta on Monday, Oct. 3. just another day but an historic occasion where we get an opportunity to work on curriculum together,” “We will work to make sure that learning is always development and noted how symbolic it was to be on Eggen said in his opening address to a packed crowd relevant to them,” he said. campus for an early morning pipe ceremony, which at Myer Horowitz Theatre. He added that the new curriculum will incorporate enabled him to watch the sun rise in a cloudless sky. He told the crowd that the redevelopment is “the indigenous issues at all grade levels. “I thought, isn’t this the symbolism of what our en- most comprehensive outreach and consultation with “And, my friends, we will close the achievement gap deavour is today? It’s the dawn of a new morning. It’s the general public that has ever been conducted in for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students across this a historic event in Alberta’s curriculum development regards to curriculum or, I dare say, even education province too. That’s our ambition.” and where we’re going with education, and everybody in general.” He added that curriculum will be informed by in this room has a part of creating that history, and The review will look to establish themes across research every step of the way. there isn’t a cloud in the sky,” he said. subject areas, bolster education around climate “It won’t be a small undertaking, but certainly, it’s “I have full confidence in the individuals in this change and the future of the planet, and look at worth it.” room and the support from all of our stakeholders in how to integrate technology and give students more Alberta Teachers’ Association president Mark Ram- creating something we can all be proud of and that opportunities for hands-on learning, Eggen said. sankar noted an air of excitement around curriculum will last for several generations.” ❚ Back to school Tradespeople kicking the tires on a teaching career

Cory Hare ATA News Managing Editor What about the money? While the working conditions in the oilpatch onrad McFarlane is done with the oilpatch. C After more than 10 years working as a welder, are far from cushy, the sector allowed McFar- the 29-year-old journeyman is now enrolled in the lane to pull in an annual income in excess of faculty of education at the University of Alberta. $150,000 as a welder and more than $200,000 “I have a few friends who are teachers and they seem pretty happy — they have a union, they have as a weld inspector. This income enabled him a pension, it’s a secure job,” McFarlane says. “I think and his wife to save considerable sums over teaching would be pretty fun.” short periods and take extended time off to The education faculty has seen an increase in in- quiries from tradespeople in recent months, which is travel the world. possibly a result of the flagging economy, said Bonnie “I realize I’m not ever going to make that Watt, an associate U of A professor who acts as a liai- much as a teacher, probably not even close, son between the faculty and interested tradespeople. “What’s happening now over the last few months … but we’ve taught ourselves to live on not very people are starting to reconsider what they want to much and we understand that we don’t need do more so than they have in the past, I think,” Watt that much to live a happy life doing what we said. “There are many people over the last number of months who have expressed interest in getting their love,” McFarlane said. bachelor of education degree.” “Lots of my co-workers think I’m silly going McFarlane said he’s been thinking about making a into education with cheques like that but, I don’t change for about three years, and about a year ago he actually “pulled the trigger” and started looking into know, I don’t really care too much about it.” options and upgrading his high school courses. One thing that attracted him to the U of A’s education program was the fact that the department grants 30 credits of advance standing to those with journeyman tickets, which will fast-track his education degree by a year. Bridge program available “I can get a degree in three years so that’s pretty cool — I figured I’d give it a shot,” he said. (McFarlane is In 2010, the Alberta Teachers’ Association considering a transfer into nursing, but if that doesn’t CORY HARE collaborated with Alberta Education and happen, he says he’ll be happy to follow through with Conrad McFarlane is a journeyman welder who is pursuing a education.) career change by enrolling in the faculty of education at the post-secondary institutions to create the CTS University of Alberta. Bridge to Teacher Certification Program, which Trade value what it’s like to live that lifestyle.” enables school boards to access provincial If this increase in interest leads to more certified “What are the hours like? What’s it like working in funding to allow tradespeople to work in the tradespeople in Alberta schools, that will be good for weather? These are lived experiences that only an students, said Alberta Teachers’ Association president individual who has been there can share.” classroom while completing a teacher-prepa- Tradespeople can also act as positive role models Mark Ramsankar. ration program offered by an Alberta post- “The trade itself is part of it, but the living experi- who demonstrate that university isn’t the only path ence is also a big part,” he said. to success. secondary institution. “A tradesperson can speak with authority about BACK TO SCHOOL continued on page 7 6 ❚ The ATA News, October 11, 2016 Teacher leaves legacy of leadership Buddy benches memorialize teacher at Sherwood Park school Amy Hancock Special to the ATA News

ellie Smith was a steadfast believer Kin children’s leadership potential. Although the Grade 3 teacher lost a lengthy battle with cancer in March, her core belief will live on in the form of two “buddy benches” that have been dedicated in her honour at Sherwood Park’s Lakeland Ridge School, where Smith had taught since 2004. “Kellie was always online researching and had a million ideas on how she could make things better,” said assistant principal Melissa Kerr. “The things she did were always rooted in her belief that kids can be leaders and can help other kids.” Smith’s colleagues and students de- scribe her as fully committed to everything she put her mind to. She was known for working long hours planning school-wide activities, collaborating with teachers and finding ways to in- volve her students. “For Kellie, it wasn’t acceptable to have kids walking around without friends,” Kerr said. “She believed A student tries out one of the new buddy benches that were recently installed at Sherwood Park’s Lakeland Ridge School. PHOTOS: AMY HANCOCK strongly that we are a school community and that everyone should feel mounted on them that say, “When you welcome, safe and have fun. If we are are lonely, please sit on this bench as a teaching these skills at school, we need signal to others that you want to play.” to be providing an outlet for kids to “My students saw friends being sad put them into practice and make sure on the playground and wanted to do everyone is included.” something. Leader in Me and Kellie Smith played a major role in bringing Smith’s influence played a big part in in and executing the school’s Leader that. The kids wanted to be leaders,” in Me program. Based on the popular said Deatcher. book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, When Smith died, people were look- the program helps schools develop a ing for a way to remember her and the culture of leadership, responsibility bench program felt like the perfect tribute, Deatcher said. Smith’s hus- and teamwork. Buddy benches are a growing phenomenon throughout North America. The two at Sherwood “It’s integrated in everything we do band asked that all contributions to Park’s Lakeland Ridge School are dedicated to former teacher Kellie Smith, who died in March here and really fosters creating great her memory be donated to the buddy after a battle with cancer. citizens,” Kerr said. “If you walk through bench initiative. More than $6,000 was the hallways you’ll see quotes posted up raised, enough to install two benches program are now in Grade 4 and are at recess, another tribute to Smith, and bulletin boards by different class- along with two Canadian maple trees. in charge of monitoring the benches who loved orange and was a fan of the rooms that explore these ideas ... Those Deatcher’s research revealed that the and approaching any student who sits Winnie the Pooh character Tigger. Like wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Kellie and buddy bench concept was brought to on one. Tigger, she had a bounce in her step in her passion.” North America by an American student “These students are taught to get everything that she did. those kids to play, talk or engage them who saw pictures of them in Germany “She was full of energy, bright and in something,” Kerr said. “The kids tak- while researching online. Since then cheery,” said Kerr. “If she had a great Buddy benches the idea has swept through North ing leadership in this have developed a idea and it seemed like it wasn’t going Last school year, as Irene Deatcher’s America with many buddy benches ap- huge sense of pride and responsibility Grade 3 students were thinking of pearing throughout Alberta, including in helping others and the kids who sit to work out, she would rethink it, re- ways they could be leaders at school, the Medicine Hat area, Edmonton, Cal- on the bench feel like someone cares group and find a way to make it happen. they came up with the idea of installing gary, St. Albert and Strathcona County. about them.” She was a symbol of perseverance and a buddy benches in the playground. The At Lakeland Ridge School, the stu- The buddy bench monitors at Lake- go-getter in all aspects of her life. Kellie proposed benches would have a plaque dents who initiated the buddy bench land Ridge wear bright orange vests was a ray of sunshine.” ❚ Teachers acting as concerned parents must adhere to conduct code

In this example, a teacher had a son the school administration with ad- PITFALLS AND in a school within the jurisdiction in vance notice of her criticism, nor did which the teacher taught. The teacher she provide a copy of the critical letter PRECAUTIONS joined an unofficial group of parents to the administrators. The teacher did who had concerns about the school not provide her criticism to “proper of- administration and became embroiled ficials” as reflected in the Code of Pro- Gaylene Schreiber in the activism to the extent that she fessional Conduct. The teacher received Secretary, Professional Conduct Committee became recognized by others as an in- a penalty of two letters of reprimand to formal leader. On behalf of the group, encompass three charges against her. the teacher co-wrote letters addressed When deciding on a penalty, the Pro- Pitfalls and Precautions is a series that uncomfortable with decisions made by to external stakeholders and public fessional Conduct Committee consid- aims to educate teachers on professional the professional staff at their child’s figures, letters that criticized admin- ered mitigating factors. The committee conduct issues by highlighting situations school. However, teachers must take istrative practices at the school. The noted that the conduct at issue was addressed by the ATA Professional special care to attend to their obliga- teacher also participated vociferously serious, expansive and repeated. Teach- Conduct Committee. The committee at several public meetings where she ers are expected to criticize colleagues tions regarding criticism of colleagues dealt with the following case during the challenged and criticized the school only in good faith, to the individual first, by considering items 13 and 14 of the 2015/16 school year. administration’s professional practice. and in a respectful manner. Teachers Code of Professional Conduct. Teachers One school administrator recorded are obligated to conduct themselves ome eachers have children of their are bound by the code even when they the public meetings and the teacher’s within the expectations of the profes- Sown and in the course of their are acting in their role as a parent or comments. sion, even when acting in their role as parenting, they may find themselves community member. At no time did the teacher provide concerned parents. ❚ The ATA News, October 11, 2016 ❚ 7 Building pride and confidence one cabin at a time Community relationship yields enriched experience for construction students

Cory Hare ATA News Managing Editor Q&A with Todd Torrie everyone knows, the three rules What has been As of success for any venture are location, location, location. the key to the That proved to be the case for the success of your building construction program at Ed- program? monton’s McNally High School. Sev- I have been eral years ago, teacher Todd Torrie got very fortunate to approval to have his students build a work in a district and have an ad- single cabin. The finished product sat ministration that has been willing for a few months behind the school, to take the leap of faith that the which sits next to a recreational trail students, educational technician Roy atop the bank of the North Saskatch- Marko and I could take on a large- ewan River, overlooking downtown scale project and see it through. Edmonton. We want to ensure that learning is As it happens, a regular user of that authentic and that students engage trail was area resident Lana Ohler-Mad- in real work that allows them to sen, director of HeLa Ventures, which apply the knowledge and skills that operates an outdoor adventure and they developed, over time, in the education camp near Rocky Mountain CTS program. House. This led to a relationship be- Our first cabin was built without tween the camp and the school, and YUET CHAN having a buyer in place, however, our last summer students completed their subsequent builds had a committed seventh structure for the camp. “customer” who came to us for a spe- “I’m amazed every year to see the Looking forward cialized cabin. The students have really embraced the work, seeing that kids step back and look at what they’ve The roof of McNally’s most recently built cabin holds two electricity- produced,” Torrie says. “Every single it is real-world experience that they kid steps back and says, ‘Wow, that’s producing solar panels. These are tied to the electrical grid, so the building are gaining. I have been very fortu- really cool.’” can draw additional power from the grid, if required, or feed extra power into nate to have been able to step back and see the energy, commitment and Each year the camp specifies what it. Exploring and expanding on renewable energy options will be a focus as kind of building it wants, and Torrie’s pride that the students share. I think students spend the school year building the program moves forward, says teacher Todd Torrie. that shared energy keeps driving it in McNally’s shop and parking lot. Also in the future, and partially fuelled by interest in the tiny home move- and enhancing our program. While all the students learn the various ment, some students have expressed interest in building a small home. How has working with an external aspects of construction that go into the “I expect we will venture down that road too,” Torrie says. group changed your approach as a project, they also drift naturally into teacher? specific roles such as leadership, fram- The process of having a customer ing and electrical, Torrie says. come into our classroom brings an When he was first establishing the its intended setting, has a noticeable — the fact that they’re building and de- awareness to the students and me program, Torrie felt it was important impact on the construction students, livering a real product that will be used that the work we are doing matters. to produce a product that the school says camp director Ohler-Madsen. by real clients — generates a sense of At McNally, our vision for learning could sell, thereby recouping costs and “There’s that internal connection with pride in the students, says Torrie. extends beyond the walls of the enabling him to sustain and grow the why they’re building the building and He’s had occasions when his students classroom. I have embraced the op- program. what it’s going to be used for,” she says. have been working to complete their portunity to find ways to bring our “That was the motivator, to produce a cabin assembly at the end of a long day, community into the work that we get product as opposed to the typical every- to do at school. When students have kid-takes-home-a-cutting-board kind Natural partnership with the evening light disappearing and him trying to convince them that the a real job for real customers, they of thing,” he says. Given its clientele, partnering with a develop a greater sense of urgency At the tail end of each school year, rest could wait until the next day. school seemed like a natural fit for the “In those times, I’ve had kids come to complete the work and meet high when the new building is ready for camp, says Ohler-Madsen, and with quality standards. delivery, the camp arranges for a truck and say, ‘No, no, Mr. Torrie, get us some demand for the camp’s services growing to haul it to its destination. Some stu- light, we can do this,’” he says. What advice do you have for every year, she sees the relationship dents accompany the cabin to the camp, “You see them kind of rally together colleagues who are interested in where they spend the better part of two with McNally as an ongoing one. and do stuff that’s beyond their years. setting up a similar program? “Our need for serving our clientele days completing the assembly. Those are really cool moments for me My answer would be to start small. Since the camp caters to school has grown, and because it’s all con- when I get to see them step up and Find real opportunities for students groups, the cabins are destined to be nected with the schools and the school want to take this on because they have to design and build a real product used mostly by other students. This system, it works really well,” she says. so much passion and pride for what that has an authentic market. fact, as well as seeing the product in The real-life aspect of the project they’ve done.” ❚

the ability to reach children ... becomes of work for over a year. They’re getting in a warm classroom has appeal after BACK TO SCHOOL important.” desperate. They want to find different years of spending 12 to 16 hours a day jobs. They want to make themselves outside, rolling around on his back in continued from page 5 Tough times more valuable, get some sort of differ- the dirt, in the rain and snow, freezing ent education in a different industry,” in the winter and getting burned by his McFarlane said the current state of he said. own torch. “I think there’s a great value in look- the economy, with no end in sight, is “A lot of them talk about [going to “I can do that now because I’m young, ing at trades as a viable alternative to a significant factor in his decision to university]. It’s just pulling the trigger. but I see a lot of older welders ... they’re an outcome in school, and encouraging switch careers. I think a lot of people have a hard time pretty miserable,” McFarlane said. “I children to work toward trades, as op- “It’s getting harder and harder and so making a big change like that.” don’t really want to turn into one of posed to viewing trades as a fallback many people are out of work,” he said. Besides the current economy, those guys.” position,” Ramsankar said. “I used to be able to throw a bunch of McFarlane said he’s simply ready for a Although he didn’t think of himself as resumes out and get four job offers the A key component, he said, is getting change. Although he loved welding in smart in high school (he barely passed very next day. Now you’re lucky to get high school and was excited to pursue his courses, but then again, he barely tradespeople fully qualified as teach- one in a month.” it as a career (which he thought would tried), he’s now a diligent student. ers, so they have a solid background in McFarlane said that many of his last for life), he says he got bored of it “It’s pretty fun. I’m excited to actually pedagogy. friends have talked about going to uni- after just a few years. learn,” he said. “Now I’m actually apply- “Just as there’s skill involved with versity, but so far, he’s the only one in He tired of switching job locations ing myself and doing really well so it’s doing any task ... so there is with teach- his circle to take that step. every few months, never knowing kind of cool to prove to myself that I can ing as well,” Ramsankar said. “Having “I know people who have been out where the next job would be. Teaching actually do this whole school thing.” ❚ 8 ❚ The ATA News, October 11, 2016 The ATA News, October 11, 2016 ❚ 9 ORANGE SHIRT DAY EVERY CHILD MATTERS Orange Shirt Day celebrated provincewide

Cory Hare ATA News Managing Editor It’s going to take ducators and students all over a long time before the EAlberta celebrated the province’s first official Orange Shirt Day on Friday, indigenous people will be Sept. 30. The campaign, whose slogan is Every healed. It’s not something Child Matters, generated so much interest around the province that organizers struggled to meet all the requests for that’s going to happen orange T-shirts. “We are so thrilled to have so many overnight; it won’t be in schools across the province partici- pating in Orange Shirt Day activities my lifetime, but at least in their schools today,” said Leslie MacEachern, managing director of the now people are aware Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities, which helped organize of it. the event. The campaign remembers the ex- – Jerry Wood periences of former students of resi- CORY HARE Alberta residential school survivor dential schools and is a commitment Jerry Wood receives support from his wife Gisele as he talks about the impact of residential Our Lady of to ongoing reconciliation in Canada. schools on his life during the launch of Orange Shirt Day at Edmonton’s city hall. Mount Pleasant Originating in British Columbia, this is School, Camrose the third year the campaign has run in the shirt taken away. She was also told and kerosene applied to his head to students in Edmonton’s public and B.C. and other parts of Canada, and the not to speak her language. combat his non-existent lice problem. Catholic schools. He said educating first co-ordinated effort to celebrate the At the event launch at Edmonton’s He also wasn’t allowed to speak Cree, young people is the key to making a campaign in Alberta. city hall, Alberta residential school sur- his first language. difference for future generations. Residential school survivor Phyllis vivor Jerry Wood told a similar story, re- While he often shares this story from “It’s going to take a long time before Webstad of Williams Lake, B.C., began counting how he was excited about his his painful past, Wood also emphasized the indigenous people will be healed,” the campaign in 2013 to raise aware- first day at residential school, showing the importance of looking to the future. he said. “It’s not something that’s going ness of residential school history. In up in brand new clothes and runners “We can’t keep looking back. We have to happen overnight; it won’t be in my 1973, when she was six, Webstad excit- and with a bag containing two special to look forward so it will never happen lifetime, but at least now people are edly wore an orange shirt on her first toys. These were promptly taken away. again,” he said. aware of it.” ❚ day of residential school, only to have His braided hair was shaved to the skin Now 76, Wood regularly works with SUPPLIED Eastbrook Elementary School, Brooks

SUPPLIED Educators hear message of healing École Connaught School, Medicine Hat Bryan Passifiume Special to the ATA News

hen it comes to reconciling the Wpast with Canada’s indigenous peoples, it all starts in the classroom. That was the message Friday as the Calgary Board of Education’s Career & Technology Centre (CTC) joined schools across Canada in commemo- rating Orange Shirt Day — an event featuring speakers and ceremonies meant to both educate and illuminate students and faculty alike. “This was about speaking to both youth and teachers,” said speaker Blaire Russell, a First Nations educator at Calgary’s Glenbow Museum. CORY HARE “It’s vital to not only let the truth be One of several pieces of student art on BRYAN C. PASSIFIUME display at the launch of Orange Shirt Day at A sharing circle discussion was part of the Orange Shirt Day event at the Career and Technology Centre at Lord Shaughnessy known about what has happened in the Edmonton’s city hall on Friday, Sept. 30. SUPPLIED past, but to get a grasp of what’s going High School in Calgary. Blessed Sacrament School, Wainwright on today so we all can heal and move That’s what inspired 16-year-old but said there’s still a long way to go. the ‘big T’ part of Truth and Reconcili- on in a positive way.” Lysandra Chaplin to pen a speech read “I had a social studies teacher who ation,” she said. Topics discussed ranged from the in the House of Commons Friday by once told me that residential schools “We’re moving towards reconciliation, Every child matters ongoing impact of Canada’s residen- member of Parliament Romeo Sagnash were OK, to an extent, if it was on the we’ve got a lot more to do, but I think Hythe Regional School celebrated Orange Shirt Day on tial schools to addressing the very real to mark Orange Shirt Day. reserve,” she said. it’s opening the dialogue.” Thursday, Sept. 29 (the school was closed Sept. 30). The day spectre of racism and discrimination “[The speech] shines a light on a lot “I don’t think he understood what included an assembly attended by three residential school still felt by indigenous people today. of First Nations issues,” said the Grade that meant to me, what it was like to Helping Alberta’s students under- survivors. “Our way of life and everything we 11 student from Calgary’s Henry Wise hear those words from a teacher; some- stand and contextualize the First Na- Prior to Orange Shirt Day, students also created hand are, it’s all still ingrained in us, in our Wood High School. one who was supposed to educate and tions experience is important to shape DNA,” Russell said. “To have the House of Commons help me on my way to success. how future generations move toward prints in various fall colours to share why every child matters. Teachers Tricia Klassen and Allicia Westad used the “The intergenerational trauma has listen to my speech, I felt it would help “It’s hugely important for me for ed- reconciliation, Mitchell said. impacted us in a negative way. The way them see what’s really happening out- ucation to change, because a lot of the hand prints to create a tree in the school foyer that was on “It plants seeds of understanding, and display for Orange Shirt Day. for our youth to heal from that is not only side of Parliament. truth behind the history of Canada isn’t I think the more often we plant seeds, to know what has happened, but also to “It’s important for me to share that told in textbooks. It’s mostly left out.” Students arrived on that day to also find an orange piece the more ideas are going to grow,” she know who they are and to be proud.” part of me, because as I walk the land, Understanding is an essential part of of paper on every locker, each conveying a positive phrase. It’s that sense of pride that many First my ancestors walk with me.” healing the divide, said high school suc- said. This was the result of an effort by the junior high leadership Nations youth tap into when dealing Chaplin is pleased to see school cur- cess coach Ivy Mitchell, who facilitated “Maybe education is our buffalo, may- class to convey the message that every child matters and with their personal struggles, but also ricula incorporate more material about the school’s Orange Shirt Day event. be it is what is going to sustain us and that every student has a role to play in living that message. ❚ when educating others. the struggles of Canada’s First Nations, “What we had more than anything is allow us to come together as a people.” ❚ 10 ❚ The ATA News, October 11, 2016 Council directs letter to urge end of PATs by December 2016

to announce by December 2016 the end student with dignity and respect and to committee, which found a teacher guilty PEC POINTS of the provincial achievement testing be considerate of the student’s circum- of two charges of unprofessional con- program effective in the current school stances and failing to act in a manner duct for taking an underage student to Audrey Dutka year. that maintains the honour and dignity a drinking establishment and providing of the profession. The hearing commit- consent for the student to get a tattoo, ATA News Staff 7. Directed President Ramsankar to tee imposed the penalty of a declaration thus failing to treat a student with dig- write a congratulatory letter to each of of ineligibility for membership in the nity and respect and be considerate of the teachers selected to the eight Cur- Association administrative guidelines Association and a recommendation her circumstances and failing to act in a riculum Design Expert Working Groups provide for the attendance of observers to the minister of Education that the manner that maintains the honour and for the development of Alberta’s future at selected portions of Provincial Ex- teacher’s certificate be cancelled. dignity of the profession. The hearing K–12 curriculum. ecutive Council meetings. Association committee imposed the penalty of a 12. Received the report of a hearing members who are interested in observing 8. Approved the name of one teacher severe letter of reprimand to address committee, which found a teacher guilty selected portions of Council meetings at for nomination to Alberta Education both charges. of three charges of unprofessional their own expense are advised to contact for curriculum work as the need arises. their district representative. conduct for engaging in a highly inap- 15. Received the report of a hearing 9. Approved the names of seven teach- propriate Facebook communication of committee, which found a teacher Highlights of the Provincial ers for addition to the Association a personal nature with a high school guilty of five charges of unprofessional Executive Council meeting held Instructors name bank, which is used student, thus failing to treat the student conduct for criticizing the professional Sept. 22–23, 2016, at Barnett as a source of appointments to the with dignity and respect and be con- competence or professional reputation Association Instructors corps as the siderate of the student’s circumstances of a teacher, making comments about House, in Edmonton need arises. and failing to maintain the honour and colleagues and/or engaging in actions dignity of the profession, and by anon- that undermine colleagues, delegating 1. Approved three electoral ballots 10. Received the report of a hearing ymously sending flowers to another responsibilities to educational assis- related to PEC Elections and their ex- committee, which found a teacher student, thus failing to treat the student tants for which the teacher is respon- planatory notes for distribution to the guilty of one charge of unprofessional with dignity and respect and be consid- sible and failing to supervise or direct membership. conduct for failing to treat a pupil with erate of the student’s circumstances. those responsibilities, failing to treat a dignity and respect, by aiding or abet- 2. Approved, in some cases with The hearing committee imposed the pupil or pupils with dignity and respect ting a student to ask another student amendments, recommendations on penalty of a severe letter of reprimand. by making reference to students as out on a date, in front of students and 117 expiring current directives for dis- dumb and/or stupid, and withholding another teacher, contrary to the Code 13. Received the report of a hearing tribution to the membership. forms necessary for student referral of Professional Conduct. The hearing committee, which found a teacher guilty for assessment, thus delaying neces- 3. Approved a statement of Association committee imposed the penalty of a of three charges of unprofessional sary student assessments and thereby program emphases for 2016/17. letter of reprimand. conduct for making racist comments failing to maintain the honour and to another teacher, acting in a manner 4. Approved the Association’s 2016/17 11. Received the report of a hearing dignity of the profession. The hearing that failed to treat another teacher with capital budget. committee, which found a teacher guilty committee imposed the penalty of a dignity and respect and criticizing the of one charge of unprofessional con- severe letter of reprimand and a fine 5. Approved disbursement of the professional competence or profes- duct for engaging in conduct for which of $4,500 to be paid within 90 days of 2016/17 budget for international co-op- sional reputation of another teacher, the teacher was convicted of a summary receipt of written notice. Failure to pay eration for 19 ongoing and new interna- thereby failing to maintain the honour criminal offence. The teacher did, for a the fine would result in suspension tional goals, including the continuation and dignity of the profession. The hear- sexual purpose, touch a person under of the teacher’s membership in the of Project Overseas and the addition of ing committee imposed the penalty of the age of 16 years directly with a part Association. a new international co-operation part- a severe letter of reprimand for each of the teacher’s body and, given the 16. Named field members to serve on ner, Change for Children. charge and two fines: $500 for the first nature of the summary conviction, the Association committees and fill vacan- charge and $300 for the third charge. 6. Directed president Mark Ramsankar teacher was found guilty of unprofes- cies on Association and other external to draft a letter to urge the government sional conduct for failing to treat the 14. Received the report of a hearing committees. ❚

BANFF PRIDE

SUPPLIED The Canadian Rockies Teachers Local No. 59 co-hosted the Banff Pride event on Oct. 1. Pictured are (L-R): Chantal Leclerc, Shane Nizinkevich , Monica Bulas and Gail Patrick. The ATA News, October 11, 2016 ❚ 11

ART SHEA Learning from the land

late September, 93 Grade 10 students from Athabasca’s Edwin Parr In Composite School spent five days learning in a natural setting while staying at a camp at Long Lake. The “land-based learning experience” blend- ed regular curriculum with a variety of outdoor experiences and cultural encounters. Ziplines enabled the students to experience the fundamentals of physics, and mathematics came into play while students measured tipis and figured out different points on the lake. Throughout the week, the students also worked ROSS HUNTER with two First Nations elders who shared traditions and skills such as tipi Student Daylin Richards works on a necklace during a land-based building, jewelry making, locating medicinal herbs and smoking moose meat. ❚ learning trip. Teachers see reduction DID YOU KN W ... in pension contributions

ATA Teacher Welfare Staff ore than 30,000 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada over the past Myear? eachers who reviewed their first pay statement for the 2016–17 school year To help educators meet the needs of Syrian refugees and students from Tmay have noticed that they are paying less in pension contributions. Effec- other Arab countries, Promoting Success with Arab Immigrant Students pro- tive Sept. 1, 2016, contributions to the Alberta Teachers’ Pension Plan have been vides background information on Arab culture, as well as tips and suggested reduced. resources. Included for parents is an orientation guide to Alberta schools, Pension contributions are made up of two parts–payments to fund current ser- written in Arabic. vice as it is earned and contributions to fund any deficiencies in the plan related Produced by the Alberta Teachers’ Association in partnership with the to past service. Pension plans have 15 years in which to make up deficiencies. Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation, this book is one of four re- The reduction to pension contributions, which amounts to 0.78 percentage points sources in a series that supports immigrant and refugee students. for teachers and 0.7 percentage points for the Alberta government, is the result of solid investment returns over the previous four years ending Aug. 31, 2015. The plan saw an annualized average rate of return of 12 per cent over the last four years. As a result of those better-than-average returns, the plan was able to eliminate a portion of its deficiencies sooner than expected, paying off completely the deficiency that would have ended in 2017 and a paying off a large portion of the deficiency ending in 2019. Teachers will now see their average contribution rates drop from 13.46 per cent of their salary to 12.68 per cent. The combined contribution rates that are shared by both government and teachers totals 24.63 per cent of salary. Current service costs are 17.12 per cent of that salary amount while deficiency contributions are 7.51 per cent. Teacher contribution rates to their pension are based on the chart below. Pension contribution rates % of teacher’s salary

Teacher contribution September 2015 September 2016

Salary up $54,900 11.44 10.74

Salary above $54,900 16.34 15.34

$54,900 is the Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings used for 2016 by the Government of Canada for contributions to the Canada Pension Plan. Get a copy Last year, the yearly pension contribution for a first-year teacher with six years of education would have been approximately $8,200, while a first-year teacher in • To download this document, go to www.teachers.ab.ca >Teaching in Alberta> 2016–17 will contribute approximately $7,650. Last year, a teacher at the top of the Diversity, Equity & Human Rights>Resources. grid with six years of university would have contributed approximately $14,000, whereas that same teacher will contribute approximately $13,000 this year. • To order complimentary printed copies, email [email protected]. Teachers cannot assume that these better-than-average returns will continue in the future. The pension plan, like other pensions, continues to see low interest “Did You Know” highlights programs and resources offered by the Alberta rates and low market returns. Pension contribution rates are based on an assumed Teachers’ Association. Watch for instalments in future issues of the ATA long-term return rate, which is 6 per cent in this case. If those return rates are News. not met, contributions would have to increase to cover the deficiency. ❚ 12 ❚ The ATA News, October 11, 2016

the

Theatre!

in Rosebud, Alberta Professional Theatre Training [email protected] RosebudSchooloftheArts.com 403-677-2350

It’s a jungle out there. Let ATA Library be your guide.

[email protected] 780-447-9400 Read the ATA News online at www.teachers.ab.ca

Help your students thrive.

Teacher Support provides you with resources that enhance your classrooms and enrich the overall teaching experience. This customizable package features comprehensive lessons, assessments and exams, grading keys, and much more.

Pension Decisions? ATA INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROGRAM Shaking the Magic 8 Ball Volunteer for the 2017 ATA– Masulita, is not a recommended Uganda Professional Development Project. It’s a professional opportunity for Alberta strategy for planning teachers to coteach with Ugandan educators your future... in a government primary/secondary school in Masulita or within the Street Children’s Project. Open to teachers who have completed three years of full-time teaching in Alberta before the overseas assignment commences. For information, e-mail Jodi Rosvold at [email protected]. We’re here to help. For an application form, visit the ATA website www.teachers.ab.ca, and asulita ganda click on For Members> Programs and ATRF Personal Interviews M , u Services>International Cooperation>2017. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Personal interviews are for plan members who are seeking Masulita, Uganda Professional Development information about their pension amount, increasing their Project. Travel and living expenses of participants are covered by the ATA. pension or preparing for retirement. Application Deadline: December 1, 2016

CALGARY October • November • January • April • May ATA News\Volume 51\Issues 3 and 5 LETHBRIDGE October • April MEDICINE HAT October • April RED DEER November • April Short-Term Exchanges To register go to atrf.com and in the Teachers’ group, click on Meet with Us. Register early as space is limited and for Educators and Administrators appointments book quickly. AUSTRALIA GERMANY SPAIN

Host a teacher or school leader from Australia, Denmark, Spain or Germany for two weeks and get a bird’s-eye view of another education system. You then travel and are hosted by your international counterpart. Exchange dates and duration vary by country. Please visit www.ieep.ca.

® Deadline for applications: early December 2016 Contact [email protected] or 780-392-6901. Treat it Right! IEEP-T-26 Applications at www.ieep.ca Treat it Right!® is a series of teachers’ guides designed to provide Edmonton teachers with IEEP-T-26 short term exchange for educators and administrators.indd lessons, readings, and activities that Substitute Teachers’ Conference 2016 link the storm and wastewater systems to the science curriculum. Ken Valgardson Stand-Up Comedian and Teacher Observations of The program includes: a Polyester-Clad-Chalk-Dust-Encrusted Educator Treat it Right!® Wastewater (Grade 4) Radisson Hotel Edmonton South, 4440 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton, AB (English and French) $40—Early Bird Registration Fee $50 —Regular Registration Fee after September 23, 2016 ® Treat it Right! Storm Water (Grade 5) Fee includes Friday evening light supper and Mix and Mingle, (English and French) Saturday breakfast and lunch

® Register online at https://event-wizard.com/events/2016STC Treat it Right! LID (Grade 7) October 28(eve)–29, 2016 Registration deadline October 24, 2016 ® Friday evening and Saturday Treat it Right! Wastewater (Grade 8) For more information: visit the ATA’s website at www.teachers.ab.ca > ® Upcoming Events or contact Doreen Link, Southern Alberta Regional Treat it Right! Storm Water (Grade 8) Travel allowance available for the first 150 Office (SARO). Phone: 403-265-2672 (Calgary) or 1-800-332-1280; registrants. Contact your local for information [email protected]. ® on the availability of professional Treat it Right! Puppet Show (Grades 2 and 4) development funding. Check available dates at: www.teachers.ab.ca www.treatitrightpuppetshow.ca Contact: Joel Kafka at 780-450-9173 [email protected] Online Professional Development for Educators Treat it Right!® Wetland Field Trip (Grade 5) Contact: Lynne Holzman at Healthy Minds / Healthy Children 780-966-9581 Child & Adolescent Addiction, Mental Health and Psychiatry Program [email protected]

For more information, contact: Janice Dewar at 780-496-5431 NeedeThanked strategiesstrategiestrategst youyourategi to to s [email protected] Suncor Energy r promoting www.edmonton.ca/ forfforo their promotingpromotinpromoting support andstudensstudentt uhelpingdent drainage/education us make these mmodulesmentaltal healthpossible.health?health? Register at: www.hmhc.ca/more.html Phone: 403-220-4310 14 ❚ The ATA News, October 11, 2016 The ATA News, October 11, 2016 ❚ 15

CLASSIFIEDS To Advertise For Advertising Information Travel & Recreation Jordan Kardosh, Cuba, Costa Rica or Nicaragua— Advertising Manager Escorted Travel the Civilized Way! We 1-780-447-9498 direct took the “hurry” out of touring. 1-800-232-7208 toll free Leisurely paced, small groups, unique email: [email protected] moo you News experiences and terrific value moo2you.ca balancing nature, history and culture. Next Deadline 2 www.cubadiscoverytours.com Oct. 17, 2016, 4 p.m. 1-800-417-0250 Monday – Friday. (publication date Oct. 25, 2016) Please Note: Advertisers are encouraged Goods and Services to book their advertisement space One bedroom, English Bay, early—space is limited. Vancouver. January – March. For Grade 4 & 5 Cost Underground parking, heated pool. Classified ads: $1.00 per word Contact Douglas Anderson. 604-559- plus GST ($15.00 minimum) Teachers! 8128 or [email protected] Display ads: Varies according to size • Teacher tested Payment Prepayment is required. We accept • Inquiry based NOTICES VISA, Mastercard, cash or cheque. • Curriculum linked to grade 4 & 5 Circulation: 44,000 social studies/science AND • Teacher ready and easy to use EVENTS Attention teachers • And it’s FREE! Early Childhood Education Council The ATA News advertisements celebrates 50 years of institution programs Former members of the Early Childhood Education Council Advertising by institutions (ECEC) are invited to join in the offering educational programs is council’s upcoming 50th-anniversary accepted by the ATA News on celebration. a commercial basis. There is no Go to Moo2you.ca today Date: Friday, Nov. 4 guarantee that these institutions Place: Fantasyland Hotel, West fulfill the requirements for Edmonton Mall consideration as a recognized Time: 5:30 p.m. following the AGM institution for salary grid purposes. Please RSVP to provincial secretary Jennifer Bridle, [email protected]. Teachers considering enrolling Please include where you are from in educational programs for and what year you served on ECEC. purposes of increasing salary cha ereces 2017/18 Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be levels should consult the Teacher available. Salary Qualifications Board Principles or inquire directly Disclaimer The Alberta Teachers’ Association does not necessarily endorse the products or services to the Teacher Qualifications Full-year and short-term exchanges presented in paid advertisements or in the Notices Service regarding the for educators and administrators. and Events column. acceptability of the program. Travel, refresh and renew your commitment, passion and dedication to education and lifelong learning in a new and exciting environment! Applications now open for educators and school leaders in Alberta. Destinations Australia | UK | Germany | Spain | Other Canadian Provinces November 21–22, 2016 IEEP-T-27 2016 08 Fantasyland Hotel, Edmonton Open to administrators who are in the first two years of their appointment or administrators new to the province of Alberta. There is no registration fee. Space is limited; apply early. Online registration is available at https://atapd.ca/initiative/lea. Grant-in-aid for Association members is available as per Association guidelines.

Applications at www.ieep.ca For further information, please contact Jeff Johnson at Barnett House at 780-447-9473 or 1-800-232-7208 or visit the ATA’s website at www.teachers.ab.ca.

Leave of absence PD-190 Teachers on leave of absence from their school board are still under con- tract to their board and are therefore active members of The Alberta Teachers’ Association. Bylaw 8(2)(b) states that the annual fee for this category of active membership shall be $96. Members qualifying under this category should forward their cheques for the full amount to The Alberta Teachers’ Association, 11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton T5N 2R1 Attention: Membership Assistant Teachers who know of Like us on Facebook: colleagues on leave of absence are asked to notify www.facebook.com/ABteachers them of this bylaw. TALEEND October 11, 2016 Volume 51, Number 4

A healthy start beginning teachers eachers from throughout northern Alberta gathered Tfor Beginning Teachers’ Conference in Edmonton from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. About 530 teachers took part in workshops on a variety of topics, including classroom management, student engagement and cultural diversity. The event shifts to Calgary from Oct. 13 to 15.

Conference attendees engage in an exercise during a wellness session aimed at helping them meet the physical and mental PHOTOS: YUET CHAN challenges they face as first-year teachers.

ince the inception of the Beginning Teachers’ Conference in 1996, the ATA News has regularly sought comments from teachers Swho are embarking on their new careers. This year, the News caught up with two previous contributors and asked for an update. Here are their “then” comments, first published on Oct. 19, 2010, along with their “now” comments from 2016. Then ... Braidy Borris Nazia Hiscock

My first impression of teaching is positive. It Teachers may teach from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but is a high-energy, fun situation where I have the I’m finding out that we actually work from 7 privilege of interacting with a variety of people a.m. to 7 p.m. From all the administrative work, 2010 (students, staff and parents) on a daily basis. I am to coaching volleyball, to planning interactive, What are your first a teacher, guidance counsellor and coach for stu- engaging and exciting lessons, working 12-hour impressions of dents from the age of 5 to 18. My students share stories and dreams shifts has become the norm. University never prepared me for this, teaching? about their lives. I have the privilege of observing my students’ aca- but the students are completely worth it! demic, social and skill development. After my first month of teaching, The long hours are worth it when you have such complete job I am still excited and cannot wait for further wonderful experiences! satisfaction. ... and now Boyle School, Boyle Westview Public School, Fort McMurray

I still love teaching, and overall it’s still a positive experience for me. Every day is a challenge that I am so excited to face. I never As with any job, there are challenges, and days when you feel com- thought that, after six years, I would still love teaching junior high pletely overwhelmed, but there always seems to be that student or that and perhaps even more than ever! It was definitely a steep learning 2016 moment of success that can just turn the day around. I also find that curve at the beginning and, looking at my resources, I am glad that Now that you’ve been teaching keeps me engaged simply because there is so much variety I can continuously work to improve and get better. teaching for a number in the job — whether it’s classroom accomplishments or celebrations, A huge part of my career has been coaching sports and connecting activities planned through the school or extracurricular events, I find with students in extracurricular activities. Having gone through the of years, what is your my job is different every day and I still look forward to coming in to huge natural disaster that affected all of Fort McMurray, evacuating impression of the work every day. an entire city and then coming back to our schools and seeing the profession? impact of teacher support on our students’ lives, I know that this will be my career for the rest of my life.

I honestly can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I see friends I’m not going to lie, I have considered career changes before. I have Why have you stuck it and family members following their varied career paths and I admit continued teaching because of the continuous support of my profes- out when many leave that sometimes what they are doing sounds interesting, but never sional learning community (PLC). Our PLC time in Fort McMurray is within the first five interesting enough to make me consider even for a moment doing among the most plentiful in the province, and the support has been a anything else but teaching. I don’t think there could be any substitute game changer. At my school, it’s the norm for teachers to collaborate years? for the satisfaction that comes with watching students succeed and in order to plan, discuss pedagogical perspectives, improve teaching achieve new goals, sometimes even surprising themselves. practices, assess formal evaluations and share resources.

If you truly have a passion for teaching then stay teaching. Work Find your passion. Whether it’s music, social studies, sports, arts, What advice would through the low and hard times and remember you are there to ben- environmental education or even math, find what makes you pas- you have for efit the students and their future. Also, support from others inside sionate about coming to work every day. There is no better model beginning teachers and outside the school is very important. I was fortunate to be paired for learning for our students than teachers who love what they do. with two amazing mentor teachers that I still lean on when I need it. I firmly believe that passion is infectious. who are starting out Also, find a work-life balance that you can sustain and at the end Ecole McTavish Public Junior High School, Fort McMurray now? of the day take pleasure in the small victories. Edwin Parr Composite High School, Athabasca