Here’s to 65 years of ongoing, specialized professional learning for Alberta teachers!
ATA specialist councils celebrated 65 years during the ATA’s spring Professional
Development Conference (PDC), held April 17–18 in Edmonton. Attending the conference were more than 120 teachers from across the province, including local professional development chairs, convention association leaders, specialist council presidents and members of Provincial Executive Council.
The opening of the conference on Friday evening highlighted the 65th anniversary, with representatives from 18 of the Association’s 20 specialist councils on hand to help celebrate. The event also featured remarks from ATA President Jason Schilling and from Executive Secretary Dennis Theobald, followed by a look back at the history and impact of specialist councils.
The ATA’s 20 specialist councils play a central role in advancing teacher expertise across Alberta. Organized around subject areas such as science, math and the arts, as well as leadership roles, professional practice competencies and pedagogical contexts, the councils provide targeted opportunities for professional growth.
Beyond the anniversary celebration, the PDC featured a provincial update and plenary sessions focused on classroom complexity and planning for transfer. The program also showcased ATA library makerspace kits and offered more than a dozen breakout sessions on topics including artificial intelligence in assessment, design thinking and visual journaling.
As the conference wrapped up, the specialist councils’ anniversary celebration served as a reminder of how these subgroups play a key role in maintaining the professional identity of teachers in Alberta. Specialist councils continue to connect teachers and deepen professional practice—even after 65 years.
In honour of the 65th anniversary of specialist councils, Belairdirect provided a $650 gift card to one specialist council member. Out of 19,947 eligible members, Shameen A. (Calgary Public Teachers Local No 38) was the recipient.
All active, student, associate and life members of the Association are eligible to join specialist councils. Learn more at abteach.cc/specialist-councils.
