Calgary City

Biography

I am CeciI Hall, and I teach Business Studies at Nelson Mandela High School in Northeast Calgary. Locally, I am the high school representative on the executive of Calgary Public Teachers Local No. 38 as well as a member of the Finance Committee. Prior to being elected to the executive, I supported Local No. 38 as a school representative. Provincially, I have contributed as a member of the Status of Racialized Teachers Working Group as well as by serving as the communication director for the Career and Technology Education Council. Additionally, I am an Annual Representative Assembly delegate.

Campaign platform

As a candidate for the Provincial Executive Council, I am committed to representing the incredible teachers of our Calgary City with passion, experience and action. Over the past three years, I’ve been deeply involved in transformative work, including the historic changes to the way ATA dealt with specialist councils and the launch of the Diversity Equity Network initiative. These accomplishments are just the beginning.

With Calgary's growing population, our classrooms are increasingly diverse, presenting challenges that demand innovative solutions. This is a pivotal moment for our Association. We face big decisions ahead, and we must have full member participation. We need more than engagement; we need mobilization.

I know how to get things done. I face the same challenges we all do daily in the classroom, fought for your needs and delivered results. I am one of you and believe in the power of collective action.

Together, we can build a strong, united association that is focused on the future of our students and our profession.

Vote for action. Vote for progress. Let’s lift and pivot to a new future. Vote Cecil.

I am proud to be a teacher. As a classroom teacher, I know the challenges and opportunities we face every day. I experience how teaching and learning conditions change. I understand and empathize with you, my colleagues, as I face these challenges as well.

I am seeking re-election as your district representative (DR) because Calgary City teachers deserve experienced, strong and effective representation. You need knowledgeable representation to advance your concerns at Provincial Executive Council (PEC).

My extensive experience will serve you well as I fulfill the duties of DR. The breadth and depth of my involvement at both the local and provincial levels of our Association reflects my commitment to you over many years. My record proves I have the skill and ability to represent you.

Your views must be clearly articulated and your interests defended. As an incumbent, I have been able to break down barriers and forge alliances to meet common goals and interests at PEC.

I will continue to represent the diverse concerns and opinions of all teachers. I am dedicated to representing the people to whom I am responsible with integrity and forthrightness. I provide a powerful voice for those who feel they do not have a voice. I am committed to providing strong, effective representation.

As your DR, I promise I will continue to advance your interests as part of open, candid and honest discussion and debate at PEC.

Kevin currently teaches at START Outreach (Discovering Choices). During his 36 years of teaching, he has served Calgary teachers on numerous committees at both the provincial and local levels of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, including as vice-president and president of Calgary Public Teachers Local No. 38 and nine terms as DR, Calgary City. 

klkempt@shaw.ca 403-826-2884

I served as a district representative for Calgary City, as an executive staff officer with Calgary Public Teachers Local No. 38 and teacher with the Calgary Board of Education. My entire career, I have always been committed to serving and working with the ATA, dedicated to advocating for teachers and improving their working conditions, their pay and benefits, and their day-to-day lives. I have worked with/on practically every committee that exists at both the provincial level and with locals 38 and 55 (Calgary Separate), specialist councils, and far too many conferences to list. Primarily I worked on Teacher Welfare committees and program areas, focused on bargaining efforts, member representations, etc. I worked with local Teacher Welfare committees, participated in several rounds of negotiations, have obtained the Queen’s University Labour Relations Certificate and bargaining training, and negotiated collective agreements as well.

My time working as a staff officer helped build a fulsome understanding of the tremendous volume of expectations that are being assigned to teachers and school leaders, by their districts and the government, with decreasing supports or understanding of the challenges of class complexities, sizes, curricular changes and expectations. Every day I worked with teachers that were burning out, faced with leaves or requiring workplace restrictions/accommodations, helping put in place barriers because their employer and their government did not respect them or support them.

We have lost ground, we have lost influence, we have lost autonomy, we have lost respect; in short, we are on the wrong track, and it is time to take it back. I am looking for your support in lending my voice and experience to this fight, to be your advocate for what we have lost and what we deserve going forward. I will always fight for what is right for the heart and soul of public education: teachers. Thank you for your consideration.

Biography

I have been a Calgary teacher since 2012. I teach science at Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School, and I have also taught with CBe-learn, the Career and Technology Centre and Queen Elizabeth High School.

My involvement with the ATA began when I became a member of the ATA Science Council executive. I was assistant conference director and progressed to roles with more responsibility, including president and conference director.

Over the past decade, I have supported Calgary teachers through the Teacher Welfare, Professional Development, Women in Leadership, Council of School Representatives and Annual Representative Assembly committees. I have served on the Calgary Public Teachers’ Local No. 38 Executive, first as the senior high representative, and now as one of two vice-presidents.

Platform

Calgary teachers need a strong voice on Provincial Executive Council. As your district representative (DR), I will ensure that your voice is heard loud and clear.

I will be focusing on three strategies as your DR: Advocacy, Awareness and Accountability.

ADVOCACY FOR TEACHERS

Calgary teachers need representatives that will fight for better support, resources and recognition for the work we do. I pledge to

• champion fair compensation and benefits,
• support relevant professional development and
• promote access to classroom resources.

RAISING AWARENESS OF KEY ISSUES

Calgary teachers face many challenges that require collective action. It is crucial to raise awareness and address the issues affecting educators today. When elected, I will

• amplify workload concerns,
• highlight deficits in education funding and
• give voice to marginalized communities.

COMMITMENT TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

It is essential for Calgary teachers to have representatives that are accountable to them. As your DR, I will

• have open and frequent communication,
• push for transparent decision making, and
• be accessible.