Due to severe flooding in July, Barnett House will remain closed until early 2027.
The ATA Library is still open and providing resources to members.
Staff are working from home and continue to serve members online and by phone.
The Southern Alberta Regional Office (SARO) in Calgary is unaffected and conducts business per usual.
Off Script
As a teacher, I have found that the start of the new school year was more like New Year’s than the actual holiday in January. Across the province, teachers and school leaders are experiencing a new start—new students, new schools, and, for some, their very first classroom. A new year can bring a lot of excitement, but it can also be a painful reminder of the past.
The past year was one of the most challenging in recent memory for Alberta’s teachers and public education. There are lessons to learn from both what went well and what did not, but learning from the past does not mean living in it. As teachers, we know it means using those lessons to shape what comes next.
The past year also reminded us of the power of collective action. Teachers stood together, supported by parents, students and members of the public, in a moment that demonstrated what solidarity can achieve. Let us carry that solidarity forward into this school year.
As we have witnessed, the government likes to create noise and distraction, but we cannot afford to chase every issue that dominates the headlines. We must continue to define our priorities when it comes to education. Overcrowded classrooms, increasing complexity, stretched resources and unmet student needs remain urgent concerns. As the government makes decisions about education, it is our collective job to ensure that those commitments translate into meaningful improvements for teachers and students.
As we start another school year, it is important to remain grounded in our values. The year ahead will bring new challenges, including curriculum implementation, new certification pathways, funding and a provincial election. We need to be ready and you, my colleagues, have a critical role to play in this province’s future. As trusted professionals, you understand classroom realities because you live them every day. Your experience, stories and professional expertise must continue to shape public conversation and hold governments and school boards accountable. When we use our voices together, we can influence what comes next.
Coming very quickly is the October referendum. ATA policy is very clear: every child deserves access to education, regardless of their circumstances or immigration status. It is important as teachers that we vote because the referendum could deeply affect public education. Plan to vote and take your time to review closely each question being posed. What are the implications for our students and for our profession? I have already applied for a special paper ballot to ensure that my voice is heard.
As we begin this new school year, let us learn from the past, remain focused on what lies ahead and continue to stand together to shape the future of public education in our province.
