A teacher was facing a frivolous complaint from a parent. The Alberta Teaching Profession Commission (ATPC) did not gather information from the teacher during the mandatory preliminary inquiry stage. Unfortunately, without the teacher’s perspective and account of the matter, the ATPC launched a lengthy investigation into the complaint. It dragged on for nearly two years—two years to deal with a frivolous complaint.
When the process finally concluded and correspondence arrived from the commissioner, the teacher asked me to be with her as she opened the email. She asked me to read the results. She wanted support for whatever came next. When I read aloud the wonderful words, “no further action,” she was so overcome with joy and relief that she broke down and wept. The weight of prolonged anxiety and stress finally lifted. She said through tears that she was “finally free to live her life.”
It was a bittersweet moment.
Over the course of the complaint process, I had witnessed our member change dramatically. She went from being a vibrant, enthusiastic person to someone who struggled to get out of bed, clouded by self-doubt and anxiety. The experience took a visible toll on her mental and emotional well-being.
Facing a regulatory complaint can be daunting and dispiriting, especially for those unfamiliar with the procedures involved. Whether a complaint stems from a conflict with a parent, colleague or community member, it often triggers feelings of shock, anger, distrust and even grief. These reactions are not unusual; they are a response to a process that is stressful and deeply personal.
Should you find yourself the subject of a complaint, we advise you to first, call the ATA’s Regulatory Affairs team, and second, look after yourself.
It is critically important to attend to both your physical and emotional well-being. That may mean leaning on friends, family or pets for comfort, or seeking more formal supports such as counselling or therapy, which are often available through your collective agreement. In some cases, the impact is so significant that medical treatment or a leave of absence may become necessary, and these are supported by entitlements under your collective agreement. ATA staff in Teacher Employment Membership Support are available to help you understand what services and protections are available. Having accurate information empowers you to take care of yourself.
No matter where you are in your career—whether you are a first-year teacher, a seasoned administrator or somewhere in between—you should never ignore the emotional toll of this process. As a wise mentor once told me, “You could be gone tomorrow, and they will have a replacement by the end of the day. It’s up to you to look after yourself.”
On a more hopeful note, I recently received a holiday card from the teacher whose journey I have just described. Surrounded by family and pets was the vibrant, passionate teacher I had first met. She had taken care of herself—and it showed.
If you have received a complaint from the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission, contact the ATA’s Regulatory Affairs unit for support as soon as possible by calling 1-800-232-7208 or emailing regulatoryaffairs@ata.ab.ca.
Representation Officer
