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2019 Highlighted resolutions See pages 8 – 9. This … ARA from ATA President Greg Jeffery Reflections on ARA Read This … by ATA president Greg Jeffery. ATANEWS Page 5. May 28, 2019 Volume 53, Number 14 News Publication of The Alberta Teachers’ Association CORY HARE A contractor works to complete a walkway and landscaping around a new statue that was installed at Barnett House last fall. Entitled On Her Shoulders, the four-metre tall bronze statue commemorates the ATA’s 100th anniversary. 4 Teachers debate mandatory sex education 5 Education minister pledges co-operation ARA 6 President urges teachers to fight for what is right | ATA prepares for uncertain future 7 Former table officers awarded honorary memberships 8–9 Highlighted resolutions 2019 10 Budget passes with 1.9% fee increase 11 Former minister Gene Zwozdesky honoured 16 Tale End: ARA features fond farewells Rural schools desperately need New critic more support NDP opposition Complexity rather than size a names Sarah Hoffman growing problem in rural classrooms. education critic. Read Jonathan Teghtmeyer’s editorial See story on page 13. on page 2. Viewpoints Education minister ATAeNEWS Adriana LaGrange vows to work with teachers. Get the ATA News delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe today: bit.ly/2Subscribe_Now. See page 3. 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: Jen Janzen | [email protected] | 780-447-9417 May 28, 2019 Volume 53, Number 14 Designers: ATA Design Staff Copy Editors: ATA Editorial Staff Rural schools desperately need more support computer, cosmetology, food studies, EDITORIAL construction and mechanics programs. The only reason rural schools are viable right now is that As much as possible, although not every Jonathan Teghtmeyer year, the school would also offer art, they are being propped up on the overworked backs of ATA News Editor-in-Chief drama and other options. However, like every other school in teachers and other staff. the province, we were funded primari- ly through per-pupil funding from the number of students, not the programs,” funding challenges, and the common eside my desk, on the ledge in front province. This current funding model said the teacher, noting that her tiny K–12 way to deal with them is to add more of my office window, sits a relatively B is not working for schools of 2,000 stu- school of 86 students lacked resources students to existing classes. Fortu- small, unassuming brass hand bell. It is dents, let alone those of 200 students. and the teachers lacked prep time. nately for rural schools, the classes are one of the items in my office that brings That is why, over the past few years, I “I’m exhausted, I’m burnt out starting out small. Unfortunately, when me the most pride. have heard regularly from teachers in and I have [the] expectations of my students are added, they too often come I received it at the end of my first rural areas who say that they have been Bio 30 kids, who are going to be writing with a different course assignment. year of teaching, when my school less able to identify with Association the diploma exam, when they have had This is another policy piece where division nominated me for the Edwin messaging on class size — their prob- nine minutes of teaching time per hour the Association has agreement with the Parr Award for outstanding first-year lems are more about class complexity. because I have four other courses to new United Conservative Party govern- teacher. I was blessed in my first year to have teach at the same time,” she said. ment. The UCP platform promises a The trustees committee overseeing very few combined courses. But, over “It’s almost like third-world educa- review of the funding formula to “en- the award were impressed by the list of time and despite my protestations, sure that rural schools have adequate courses that I taught that school year: these increased. tion,” she added. “And if you don’t be- lieve me, I would love you to come out resources to deliver programs in an Pure Math 10, 20 and 30; Math 31; Math In a neighbouring school, a colleague equitable way.” and do my job for the day, because I just 33; Physics 20; and Phys Ed 10. I also taught all of the junior high students in Given the base of support for the UCP want a prep period that week.” served as students’ union staff advisor one classroom at the same time. He had in rural areas, this should be a very ARA delegates heard a number of and senior boys’ basketball coach. to prepare for more than 20 programs positive, overdue move. However, in an stories about the struggles faced by As a beginning teacher, I knew this of study each year. environment of cost containment, I am was demanding, but it did not look A delegate at this year’s Annual rural schools in the debate over a res- leery about how these improvements much different from what my col- Representative Assembly talked about olution calling for the development of will be achieved without additional leagues were doing. having combined courses in each of a new rural education strategy. investments. The Grades 7 – 12 school I taught her assigned classes last year, including The truth is, the only reason rural Rural schools need a new strategy in for eight years, Breton High, had one class with students learning four schools are viable right now is that and a renewed funding formula. We about 200 students (although fewer different courses, and another that had they are being propped up on the over- can’t do more with less. ❚ now) but still offered the full set of three courses, two students with severe worked backs of teachers and other core courses (including Math 31 and all special needs and no EA support. staff. I welcome your comments—contact three sciences) and had well-equipped “Funding for students is based on the Rural and urban schools both face me at [email protected]. Policing the profession is our responsibility FOR THE RECORD indication of their increased complexity. • increases in the size of the student Q & A In accordance with the Teaching Pro- and teacher populations, resulting fession Act, every misconduct complaint in more complaints in total; must be investigated, and hearings, Dennis Theobald • tensions arising out of the inclusion when ordered, as well as appeals must My government will ATA Executive of students with special learning and Secretary take place within strict timelines. So further improve there is little flexibility around manag- behavioural needs in the classroom; ing case loads. Question: Why is the Association • growing public awareness of the Alberta’s education Furthermore, the policing of teacher hiring yet another Member Services Association’s professional conduct professional conduct is a legislated staff officer? processes; system by presenting responsibility of the Association that • escalating parental demands to- Answer: The budget passed by del- cannot be put aside because it is incon- the Choice in Education venient or expensive, or because we do gether with diminished deference egates of the 2019 Annual Representa- to teachers’ professional judgment; tive Assembly includes funding to hire not have sufficient staff resources in Act. It will renew the an additional executive staff officer as place. While the Association’s profes- • a growing tendency for complainants well as an additional professional staff sional conduct processes are intended to name multiple teachers in the Alberta advantage in officer in the Member Services pro- primarily to protect the public interest, same or related complaints; and gram area. The request for these new the ability to complete an investigation education by restoring • the use of professional discipline positions was driven by substantially and undertake, if necessary, a hearing processes by employers to augment increased demand for Member Services or an invitation in a timely manner is and expanding the employment-related sanctions. support generally and, in particular, a also a service to teachers. Being the choices available to significant increase in the number and subject of a complaint is highly stressful Delegates at the 2019 ARA appreciat- complexity of discipline cases. and the best the Association can do for ed this emerging reality and provided parents and children. This increase in demand is not a members who find themselves in this the Association with the resources we temporary spike. The number of calls position is to bring the process to a con- need to respond. ❚ to Member Services for assistance has clusion as swiftly and fairly as possible. consistently grown by 10 per cent, year There seem to be a number of factors Questions for consideration in this column are welcome. Please address over year, for at least the last three that are driving growth in demand, — Throne speech delivered years. In the last school year alone, the including them to Dennis Theobald at Barnett House ([email protected]). May 22 by Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell number of investigations ordered in • threats to teachers’ employment on behalf of the response to complaints has more than status and declining classroom con- UCP government doubled, and the number of ongoing in- ditions relating to financial pressures vestigations has increased five-fold, an facing school boards; www.teachers.ab.ca www.facebook.com/ABteachers abteachers @albertateachers Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No.