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Fulfilling dual role provides positive contribution to public education
The Alberta Teachers’ Association is mandated to carry out both professional and union functions, each of which is important to the advancement of the teaching profession.
Under the Teaching Profession Act, the Association is charged with ensuring that its member teachers uphold the code of professional conduct as well as maintain high standards for their teaching practice. Consequently, the Association undertakes many activities to enhance teachers’ professional development, including the establishment of specialist councils, conducting research that is helpful for practicing teachers and providing support for teachers to continue their academic studies.
As well, the Association works with other education stakeholders to bolster the aims of public education. For example, the Association provides representation to help develop the program of studies. In addition, the Association provides representation on provincial committees comprised of representatives of the provincial government, school boards and other stakeholders to examine what sorts of standards of competence teachers and administrators should be held to. Finally, the Association works with the universities in Alberta to provide support to programs and students enrolled in preservice teacher preparation.
Another aspect of the Association’s professional function is to safeguard the public interest by dealing with complaints about teacher conduct. When this occurs, the Association investigates and, when the situation warrants, orders a hearing. Hearings take place in front of a committee of the teacher’s peers and, in many circumstances, a member of the public.
When a teacher is found guilty of a breach of the code of conduct, penalties may range from a letter of reprimand to the loss of Association membership (and a recommendation to the education minister that the member’s teaching certificate be cancelled).
When a teacher is found to be lacking competence, as measured against the Teaching Quality Standard, the penalties assessed are suspension or cancellation of Association membership and a recommendation to the education minister that the member’s teaching certificate be suspended or cancelled.
In addition to its professional function, under the Labour Relations Code the Association is responsible for a union function. All teachers employed by public, separate and francophone school jurisdictions in the province are covered by collective agreements negotiated between the Association and employer school boards. These documents outline teachers’ compensation, leaves, benefits, professional development supports and conditions of practice.
In addition, the Association provides teachers with advice about their collective agreements and assistance with accessing their entitlements. It also helps members who are being disciplined or terminated by their employers to ensure these teachers are treated fairly.
Through policies established at its Annual Representative Assembly, the Association aspires to improve conditions for both teachers and students. Meanwhile, collective bargaining continues to improve teachers’ working lives and can help build a stronger profession.
Taken together, the union and professional functions form the pillars upon which the Association rests, and both are important. As executive secretary Gordon Thomas wrote in the April 8, 2008 issue of the ATA News, “In the context of union membership, the teacher’s rights are protected and efforts are made to improve the teacher’s situation. In the context of professional membership, the ATA seeks to protect the interests of the profession and the public.”
For teachers, the Association offers multiple avenues for involvement and the exercise of their professional voice, be it through attendance at Association-sponsored conferences, volunteering for their locals, participating in research projects or voting for Provincial Executive Council, to name just a few examples. Ultimately, through its advocacy for public education, engagement with practicing teachers, enforcement and support of high professional standards and a robust union function, the Association strives to serve its members, uphold the public good and make positive contributions to public education.
Lisa Everitt is an executive staff officer in the Teacher Welfare program area of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
