PEC Points: PEC appoints next ATA executive secretary

Highlights of the Provincial Executive Council meeting held May 7–8, 2026, at Barnett House, Edmonton

1. Appointed Robert T. Mazzotta to be the next executive secretary and chief executive officer of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, commencing 2026 09 01.
2. Authorized any local to pay off the remaining balance of the special levy on behalf of its members as of September 2026.
3. Approved for submission to the 2026 Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) three resolutions that 
   (1) oppose the deprofessionalization of teaching through the government’s expedited pathways program; 
   (2) urge the Government of Alberta, in conjunction with school boards and in consultation with the Association, to provide support to school leaders responsible for supervising and supporting teachers who have taken alternative pathways to certification; and 
   (3) in response to Bill 25, An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act, 2026, affirm that:

• Alberta’s public, separate and francophone schools must continue to strive to  provide welcoming and respectful learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self; 
• teachers, exercising their professional judgment and expertise, should ultimately determine how evaluations and interventions can best be used to advance individual student learning;
• it is the responsibility of teachers, exercising their professional judgment, to ensure controversial issues are taught in a manner that is pedagogically and intellectually sound and respectful of legitimate diverse perspectives;
• decisions concerning the display of flags and related symbols and playing of the national anthem are best made by individual school communities and teachers in the spirit of creating generous, inclusive, respectful and safe learning environments for students and staff; and
• the expectation that government will consult with the Association to ensure that procedures, platforms and technologies for managing student evaluation are adequately supported and appropriate for diverse school and classroom situations.

4. Scheduled resolution 3-11/26 for debate at the 2026 ARA. The resolution opposes the use of anthropomorphic AI tools—such as AI companions or systems simulating friendship, counselling or intimate relationships—in Alberta K–12 educational and student support settings.
5. Approved funding to support the ATA Complexity Network online provincial engagement sessions.
6. Referred a letter received from l’Association des enseignantes et des enseignants francophones de l’Alberta regarding financial inequities related to mandatory participation in teachers’ conventions to staff for study and report to the October 2026 meeting of Council. 
7. Approved the recipients of the 2026 Alberta Teachers’ Association Doctoral Fellowships in Education and approved the recipient of the 2026 Nadene M. Thomas Graduate Research Bursary.
8. Amended the administrative guidelines to extend eligibility for the ATA Doctoral Fellowship in Education to members entering or enrolled in any year of full-time study in doctoral programs in education offered by defined “recognized public universities” in Canada.
9. Amended the administrative guidelines concerning the Belairdirect Award for Learning and Leadership and the Nadene M. Thomas Graduate Research Bursary to specify how “recognized public universities in Canada” will be interpreted when determining eligibility for the awards.
10. Amended the Teacher Education and Certification Committee frame of reference to define the size of the scholarship subcommittee and to authorize the subcommittee to determine award recipients and alternates.
11. Amended the administrative guidelines and CTF Committee frame of reference to address the CTF’s international cooperation name change from “Project Overseas” to “Teaching Together.”
12. Approved the Association’s nominees to the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Advisory Committee on the Teaching Profession, Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, Advisory Committee on Diversity and Human Rights, Advisory Committee on Indigenous Education and Advisory Committee on French as a First Language.
13. Amended the administrative guidelines pertaining to the grant available to candidates for campaign-related activities when running for election to Provincial Executive Council.
14. Added an external Provincial Executive Council election review to the 2026/27 program prognoses.
15. Approved Council committee and representation assignments for 2026/27.
    Approved the draft Association calendar for 2026/27 and provisionally approved for finalization by staff the draft Association calendars for 2027/28 and 2028/29.