A new teacher advisory council that the government promised while legislating the end to October’s teachers’ strike has now opened and closed its intake for applications, and ATA president Jason Schilling isn’t enthused about the initiative.
The council will bring together up to 15 educators from a range of school settings to share practical insights and ideas that will help shape government policies with the aim of meeting the needs of students, teachers and schools, said Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides while announcing the opening of the application period on February 2.
Nicolaides said teacher involvement on the council, whose members he will be appointing, is essential to addressing class size and classroom complexity.
“Teachers understand the realities of today’s classrooms,” he said. “The Teacher Advisory Council ensures teachers have a direct voice as we work together to strengthen education for Alberta students.”
Following the announcement, Schilling said there is already an organization that speaks for the province’s 51,000 teachers: the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
“We are confident that classroom teachers who might participate in this council will reiterate what the Association has been saying, clearly and consistently, for years,” Schilling said. “Before, during and after the largest strike in this province’s history, this message has been communicated persistently: overcrowded and complex classrooms are unsustainable; they prevent students’ needs from being met and contribute directly to teacher burnout.”
Members of the advisory council will serve terms of up to 18 months and may be eligible for reappointment. Members will attend online meetings outside of school hours. Council appointments are unpaid and voluntary.
