Sherwood Park teacher wins Edmonton District by-election

Deneen Zielke has won the 2024 Edmonton District by-election.

Born in Viking, Alberta, Zielke’s teaching career began in Sherwood Park, where she currently lives and teaches.

Deneen Zielke takes on district rep role.

“I have taught elementary school ranging from grades 1 to 5 and am currently teaching grade 3. I taught physical education to ECS one day a week a few years ago, and that was the longest half hour of my teaching career!”

Soon after starting her teaching career, Zielke became a school representative and has been involved in the work of the ATA since then.

As Teacher Board Advisory Committee chair, she met the superintendent to discuss teachers’ concerns. This led to a role on Teacher Welfare Committee and becoming Negotiating Subcommittee chair, leading teachers as they negotiated at the local level. At the provincial level, in addition to supporting her local executive at their scheduled seminars, Zielke was selected to serve on the provincial Committee on Coordinating Communications to Members to support member engagement.

“As local president, I am so proud of the work our local has accomplished,” Zielke said. “Our executive is an amazing group of professionals. Supporting these local leaders and our school representatives in the work they do is key to our success.”

About her win and what it means to her personally and professionally, Zielke said, “I am very excited to begin this new chapter. My mentor, Paul Froese, was an extremely engaged and supportive district representative, and with his passing there was a huge void to fill in Edmonton District. I felt that, with my experience, I could support these locals through this difficult year and the challenges to come, as well be their voice on Provincial Executive Council. I’m looking forward to the work ahead.”

Voting for the by-election took place from December 9 to 12, 2024. The results were announced on December 13, 2024.

About Edmonton District

The Alberta Teachers’ Association organizes the province into 11 geographic districts, of which Edmonton District is one. It is represented on the Association’s Provincial Executive Council by one district representative. The more than 3,100 teachers of Edmonton District are employed by a total of five school jurisdictions and belong to five correlating ATA locals. ❚

Role of a District Representative

District representatives (DRs) are elected members of Provincial Executive Council and responsible for

attending Council meetings and the Annual Representative Assembly;
ascertaining the views and issues of teachers in their district;
sharing at Council meetings the views and issues of teachers in their district;
familiarizing themselves with all aspects of Association business in order to
act as a resource person to the ATA locals in their district;
participate in Council decision making; and,
continuing their professional development.

School Jurisdiction	ATA Local
Elk Island Public Elk Island Catholic St. Albert Public St. Albert Catholic Sturgeon	Elk Island Local No. 28 Elk Island Catholic Teachers Local No. 21 St. Albert Public Teachers Local No. 73 Greater St. Albert Catholic Local No. 23 Sturgeon Local No. 27