The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) gained a new executive staff officer over the summer. Amy Villneff joined the ATA’s Teacher Employment Services (YES) team at Barnett House this August.
Villneff brings more than 20 years of teaching experience from the Northern Gateway School Division.Teaching is something that comes naturally to Villneff, who has fond memories of helping her sister while they were growing up.
“I would read with her and teach her the alphabet and basic math, and we always played school. I was always the teacher. It’s just something that I always thought that I wanted to do.”
Villneff says that she has had many standout moments throughout her teaching career, but cannot single one out.
“I think as teachers, these moments are what we live for, what drive us to keep learning, teaching and remaining in the profession,” Villneff said, “Each significant interaction, discovery, heart-warming or ‘aha!’ moment is more kindling in the fire of our passions for teaching and learning.”
During her career in the profession, Villneff spent six years as assistant principal and another three years as principal at Onoway’s junior/senior high school. As she has moved into each new role, her passion for supporting teachers has grown.
“When I decided to go into administration, the biggest part of that for me was my want to support teachers, to mentor teachers, to help them get really good at the practice of teaching,” Villfneff said.
Her dedication to teachers will be front and centre in her new role with the ATA.
“The fact that I am now in TES, and will be dealing almost exclusively with teachers, supporting them, answering their questions, helping them feel better about what they’re doing, putting them on the right path, or giving the right advice so that they can be better in their job. That’s what’s exciting for me.”
3 More things about Amy
What’s the best way to wind down after a long day?
I love walking my dog.
If somebody wanted to strike up a conversation with you, what’s a good topic?
It would probably be about dogs, or about being a parent to teenagers, or working with teenagers. For the most part of my career I’ve worked with adolescents, so I feel I know them fairly well—and I have two of my own.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to yourself in your first year as a teacher?
Ask lots of questions. Ask for help. People are more than willing to give it to you. You also have to be able to laugh. You’re going to make mistakes. I used to work with an administrator who said, “if you’re not laughing, you’re crying.” Some days, that’s true, and it’s much, much better to laugh. And try not to take things too hard.
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