Jason Schilling, Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) president, has issued the following statement in response to the announcement of four new expedited teaching certificates.
“Alberta needs more teachers in our classrooms, and efforts to meet that goal can help address immediate staffing pressures. Expanding pathways into the profession must be a careful balancing act to ensure students continue to benefit from qualified, well-prepared teachers. It is essential that we have the most qualified teachers who have the skills, knowledge and preparation needed to be successful in today’s increasingly complex classrooms. Teachers are professionals and must remain so.
The Association has always advocated for maintaining these high standards. We were successful in ensuring that individuals entering through expedited pathways are required to complete prerequisite coursework and a practicum experience in Alberta schools before taking on full classroom responsibilities. These measures help ensure that new teachers are better prepared to meet the growing demands of the classroom.
Teachers are deeply committed to their students, but many are being pushed to their limits by growing class size, increasing classroom complexity and the loss of their charter rights. We can recruit new teachers, but we won’t retain them unless teaching and learning conditions improve. Recruitment opens the door, but retention keeps teachers in classrooms.
Many details related to the expedited pathways still need to be clarified, and the Association will be watching closely to ensure that implementation maintains high standards and truly supports both educators and students. The ATA will continue to support new teachers as they enter the profession, helping them build the expertise they need to succeed.
When educators are respected, supported and able to focus on teaching, everyone benefits.”
The Alberta Teachers’ Association, as the professional organization of teachers, promotes and advances public education, supports teachers’ professional practice and serves as the advocate for its 51,000 members.