Teacher Fitz Sherman is set to share his voice on a national level. For the next two years, he will be representing Alberta teachers on the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Human Rights of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE).
Serving on a committee is not new to Sherman, who has served on provincial Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) committees for years. He was a member of the School Leaders Issues and Concerns Committee, the Professional Conduct Committee and the Professional Conduct Appeal Committee and, most recently, co-chair of the ATA’s Status of Racialized Teachers Working Group. For him, sharing his voice and experience with the CTF/FCE’s advisory committee is a natural next step.
“I am excited because it is something new, something different, and I want to be able to contribute to the work at this level,” Sherman said.
Sherman’s new role on the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Human Rights will allow him to connect with colleagues from other parts of the country to discuss diversity-related matters and then, together, provide advice, guidance and their first-hand perspectives to the CTF/FCE executive. This advice can make a real impact for Canadian teachers, leading to national initiatives related to advocacy, resources, events and programs.
“Having teachers from the field on CTF/FCE Advisory Committees is very important to ensure the Federation receives regular input and guidance from a diverse group of practicing teachers,” a statement from the CTF/FCE reads. “As a federation of provincial and territorial organizations, the CTF/FCE is strengthened by this grassroots engagement.”
The CTF/FCE currently has five advisory committees: Advisory Committee on Diversity and Human Rights, Advisory Committee on French as a First Language, Advisory Committee on Indigenous Education, Advisory Committee on the Status of Women and Advisory Committee on the Teaching Profession. With nominations submitted by teacher associations across Canada, Sherman is the sole ATA field member named to one of these advisory committees this year.
Before applying to serve on the committee, Sherman, currently athletic director at Gus Wetter School in Castor, was aware of some of the CTF/FCE’s current diversity initiatives, including a program to support diverse members interested in the organization’s election process. With a seat at the table now, Sherman sees the CTF/FCE advisory committee as a way to learn more about diversity initiatives being undertaken not only in Ottawa but also across Canada.
“I look forward to seeing how the other associations are working to promote diversity, and to bring back the national perspective to the ATA here,” Sherman said. “I also look forward to bringing to this committee and its work my perspective and the perspective of Alberta teachers.”
