When all is said and done, where will we be?

Let’s fast forward to when schools reopen. The return to classrooms in Alberta will be unlike any other in the province’s history. After weeks of impasse, speculation and uncertainty, teachers will step back into their schools as professionals dedicated to their craft. There will be a mix of relief and exhaustion, the joy of reconnecting with students, and the daunting task of assessing learning gaps and rebuilding classroom routines. The days ahead will demand incredible resilience from teachers and school leaders as they navigate the emotional aftermath of a deeply divisive labour dispute, all while demonstrating the unwavering care their students need.

The path forward will require a focused commitment to what teachers can control: the classroom. Re-establishing the normalcy and stability students have missed will be essential. Teachers will lean on their professionalism and on one another to support students, some of whom may be struggling with anxiety or have fallen behind academically. The long-term effects of this disruption—particularly on vulnerable students—will call for sustained, compassionate effort from every teacher, and, as always, teachers will rise to the challenge. Teachers and school leaders have always known this job action would not be without sacrifice, but they also knew that classrooms remaining “as is” was not sustainable.

The advocacy and public support generated by teachers during this period have been incredible. Throughout the strike, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has put a spotlight on critical issues affecting both student learning and teachers’ working conditions, including class size and the need for more classroom supports. This public campaign, amplified by teachers’ voices, has shifted the narrative, forcing a broader conversation about the future of the public education system. It has clearly signalled to the government, and the public, what teachers consider to be nonnegotiable for a quality education.

As teachers know, the ATA’s function extends beyond the bargaining table. The ATA is a powerful voice for the profession, and will continue to provide guidance and support for teachers navigating a post-strike world. The unity forged during this difficult time will endure; it will strengthen the teaching community and its resolve to advocate for the profession. Teachers’ collective action has reminded everyone that teachers are not simply employees—they are professionals whose working conditions are inseparable from their students’ learning conditions. 

When all is said and done, teachers will know they fought for a more supportive educational environment for all students. Their collective action was a testament to that belief, which will remain a source of strength long after classes resume and a final agreement is signed. 

I welcome your comments. Contact me at kristine.wilkinson@ata.ab.ca.