Another Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) has come and gone, and like so many before it, this year’s ARA demonstrated the dedication and determination teachers bring to improving public education. My deep thanks to the teachers who volunteered their time to attend and to our staff who helped make the Assembly run so smoothly.
Over the weekend, delegates debated issues ranging from bargaining and the use of the notwithstanding clause to Bill 25 and the growing implications of artificial intelligence in our classrooms. While opinions differed on some motions, one thing remained constant: every debate came from a place of care. Teachers care deeply about this profession, about public education and about our students. That commitment was strong throughout the weekend.
Much of our policy responds to challenges we are already facing, but some of it is designed to prepare us for what lies on the horizon. Resolutions on AI focused on concerns surrounding anthropomorphic AI, deepfakes, and the security of student and teacher data. In many ways, the ATA is at the forefront of this conversation, helping shape policy in an area that few education organizations worldwide have addressed. Unsurprisingly, those discussions generated significant media attention over the weekend.
The provincial election in 2028 was also part of many conversations at ARA. While no formal resolutions were passed, delegates made it clear that teachers and the Association must continue keeping public attention focused on the realities facing students and classrooms. Though the election seems far away, the work starts now. It means speaking with current MLAs seeking re-election, connecting with prospective candidates and engaging with them on their support for public education.
As I told the Assembly, our strike was never merely symbolic. It produced real results. It shifted public opinion, influenced political decisions and reasserted the importance of teacher voice in this province. Since then, government officials, including the premier and minister of education, have publicly acknowledged that changes were made because teachers and Albertans demanded them.
As Alberta moves toward the next provincial election, we cannot allow that momentum to fade. Some elected officials may hope Albertans forget the strike and the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end it. We cannot and will not forget. Teachers have credibility, expertise and the trust of the public. Combined with our values and our determination, that makes us a powerful voice for the future of public education.
