The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Teachers from all across the province are involved in the work of the Alberta Teachers’ Association in various capacities. Such volunteer efforts by members are critical to the effective operation of the Association.

Gerald Logan

Retired from Hillside Community School, Grande Prairie

How long did you teach?
36 years

Why did you become a teacher?
I have a passion for working with people, and teaching was one way to live the dream. Where else could I have fun doing what I loved to do and make a living at it too?

Current Association role
Past president, Educational Technology Council

What are your main responsibilities?
I am the sage sober second thought person on the executive. I fail at this because I am not very good at holding the reins in on a team of excited professionals. My role is to mentor the president as he takes on the role, another thing that I love to do.

What do you enjoy most about this work?
I have assumed the role of advocate for the marginalized in the world of technology. Schools are running bring-your-own-device programs, forgetting that there is a large population of children living in poverty. Many parents have a hard time putting food on the table; they cannot put devices on school desks.

What other roles have you held with the Association?
I also love my role as the vice-president of the Mighty Peace Teachers’ Convention Association. Professional development has been a passion of mine as well, which is why I volunteered to become an Association instructor, running workshops in the province. I have also volunteered for Project Overseas, presenting workshops in four countries over five summers.

Why do you do this work? Why is it important?
I enjoy teaching, and this is one way to do that. Developing the young minds of the future is important; mentoring the professionals doing that work is even more important. I think I just love teaching. It might be young students or teachers — doesn’t really matter to me.

How (or why) did you first become involved in Association work?
I started as a member of the professional development committee in my early years as a teacher, went on to be the chair and later the convention representative. I then became involved with the regional leadership council and became the regional president for a number of years. I can’t remember a year that I didn’t have at least one role with the ATA.

What is your favourite ...

Movie?
Blood Diamond, because of my time in Freetown

TV show? The Big Bang Theory

Band/singer? Ian Tyson

Book? Anything by John Grisham

Summer vacation activity?
Cycling and wind surfing

Travel destination?
Just one? Any island.

What super power would you most like to have and why?
I would like to have Inspector ­Gadget’s abilities.

What fictional character are you most like and why?
No one could imagine a character as “unique” as me.

What fictional character would you most like to meet and why?
Mr. D. I have a lot of things that I need to set him straight on — a massive PD/staff improvement plan here. ❚