The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Send information about upcoming events to Raymond Gariépy (e-mail: raymond.gariepy@ata.ab.ca).

Make history

Canada’s History is seeking applications for the 2013 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching. Six recipients will be honoured—each will receive a medal, $2,500 and a trip for two to attend the awards ceremony at Rideau Hall and the Canada’s History Forum in Ottawa. A prize of $1,000 will be awarded to each recipient’s school. For more information on how to nominate a teacher or to apply for the award, visit http://www.canadashistory.ca/Awards. Application deadline is April 1, 2013. The History Award for Excellence in Teaching is supported by TD Bank Group, Department of Canadian Heritage and EF Educational Tours.

Teachers contribute to The Sky was on Fire

The Sky was on Fire: Slave Lake’s Story of Disaster, Exodus, and New Beginnings is a collection of stories, poems and photos about the May 2011 fire that changed the lives of Slave Lake’s residents. Townspeople not only experienced fear and danger, they witnessed the best of the human spirit. Soon after the fire, a group of people wrote a book about the fire and its aftermath. Two members of the group were Len and Nicola Ramsey, teachers in Slave Lake and regular contributors to the Moot Points column of the ATA News. Many stories and images came from teachers, support staff and students. The Sky was on Fire was published with the help of grants from the United Way, Alberta Culture and a donation from the ATA’s English Language Arts Specialist Council. The book can be ordered online at www.stagenorth.org or at Audrey’s Books, in Edmonton, or at the Calgary Firefighters Museum, in Calgary.

A Big Change is coming

“The Day of Big Change” launched March 1. The program is part of Y Act Up, YWCA Canada’s new civic engagement and leadership program for young women between 16 and 29 years of age. Y Act Up provides young women with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills and become agents of change while improving their connection to their communities and Canada. Y Act Up has developed the Think Big/Start Small Campaign to encourage young women to use their voices and work toward social change in areas such as violence against women, economic equality, environmental justice, sexual and reproductive rights, racism and equality and rights of Indigenous people. To learn more, visit www.thinkbigstartsmall.ca.

Celebrating 20 years of excellence in education

Do you know an outstanding educator? Nominate them today for the Prime Minister's Awards. Guidelines and nomination forms for the 20th Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education are now available. Awards are worth up to $5,000 and winners are honoured by the prime minister. Visit www.pma.gc.ca to download the nomination package. For more information, contact Prime Minister's Awards. Telephone: 613-946-0651; e-mail: pma-ppm@ic.gc.ca; website: www.pma.gc.ca. The deadline for receipt of nominations is March 31, 2013.

JUMP for math!

JUMP Math’s national book fund is returning for 2013/14. Are you a teacher or principal who needs support to implement JUMP Math as a key classroom resource? If you work with students from high or special needs communities across Canada, you can apply for free teacher training and books through the National Book Fund. JUMP Math is based on the belief that all children can learn math, all teachers can teach math, and both can enjoy it. The program, using guided discovery, helps teachers motivate children to learn math in a way that develops their self-confidence and leads them to seek new challenges. Information about eligibility, program requirements, evaluation and the application process can be viewed at the JUMP Math website (www.jumpmath.org/cms/book_fund_intro). To learn more about JUMP Math, visit www.jumpmath.org or the JUMP Math YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/JumpMath).

See a saw sawing

Established in 1992, Skills Canada Alberta (SCA) is a not-for-profit provincial association that links employers, educators, labour groups and government to reposition trade and technical careers as a first-choice career option for Alberta’s youth. SCA is part of the national association Skills Canada, which has offices in each territory and province in Canada. SCA hosts thousands of students annually at regional and provincial Skills Canada competitions. The provincial Skills Canada competition features 650 students competing in 44 trade and technology events. Alberta’s biggest skills and career event will be held May 15 and 16, 2013, at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. For more information, visit www.SkillsAlberta.com.

End violence against women

The annual CTF Women’s Issues Symposium is an event where teachers, teacher leaders and community representatives have an opportunity to connect and dialogue and mobilize around a theme developed in cooperation with the host organizations. This year’s theme is “Ending violence against women and girls, for one and for all.” The symposium will be held in Ottawa on April 17 and 18. The theme dovetails with this year’s 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Guest speakers will address this issue from myriad perspectives, including statistical, societal and policy based. For information, visit CTF’s website: www.ctf-fce.ca.

What is a caring, respectful and safe school?

The Alberta Teachers’ Association, Alberta Education and the Society for Safe and Caring Schools & Communities are developing a guidebook to help schools create caring, respectful and safe environments that are free from bullying (as identified in Bill 3, Education Act). Educators are invited to participate in a short survey and share their successes and stories on practices used to create caring, respectful and safe schools. Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/CRSAdmSurvey (the survey takes about 15 minutes to complete). Survey participants will be entered into a draw for a free violence prevention presentation for their school.

Stories and photos wanted

The ATA News is always on the lookout for interesting articles, photos and cartoons. Articles should not exceed 500 words and should be ­accompanied by a short byline, stating where you work and what you teach. Photos of teachers or students participating in interesting activities are welcome, as are cartoons. Don’t forget to include photo captions. Please note: receipt of material does not guarantee its publication. Send your submissions to Managing Editor, The ATA News, 11010–142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 2R1 or submit electronically to raymond.gariepy@ata.ab.ca.