The Alberta Teachers’ Association

A report written in 1959 kick-starts specialist councils

The origins of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s specialist councils are found in a report by then-executive secretary S.C.T. Clarke and ATA Executive Assistant E.J. Ingram.

Special Interest Associations

Development of pressure for the establishment of special interest associations for professional educators has been increasing rapidly during the last few years. School superintendents and inspectors already have their own association. The organization of principals’ associations in most school systems in Alberta and the principals’ leadership courses has hastened the day when principals will wish to organize a provincial association. There is also interest among teachers of the various subject areas in the establishment of subject area associations. The School Act allows for these associations (Section 375) and the increased emphasis we are placing on educational projects and instructional improvement programs is acting as a catalyst in the developmental process.

It is probable that these groups will organize outside the structure of the Alberta Teachers’ Association unless positive action is taken to keep them within, and unless our organizational structure is modified to give them a useful existence within the Association. This probability is imminent in the case of a principals’ association.

The organization of independent associations for professional educators would seriously weaken the unity we now have in the teaching profession and would hamper efforts to bring all educators into one comprehensive organization. A multiplicity of organizations, all working on similar problems, without a central coordinating body could lead to nothing but confusion and weakness throughout the entire teaching profession.

Special interest organizations have many advantages, but must be organized logically within the structure of one comprehensive association if the interests of education are to be properly safeguarded. The Alberta Teachers’ Association, the professional organization for all Alberta teachers, would be the logical parent body for all such groups.

The objectives of special interest groups should be confined to the improvement of instruction, especially as it relates to their specific fields. It would be expected that these organizations would hold annual conventions, sponsor conferences, initiate research and special studies, and publish a bulletin or newsletter.

Our Association must take positive action if we wish to forestall the development of independent associations of educators in special interest areas. A change in our by-laws would probably be necessary to allow for the organization of such groups and to give them a useful and meaningful place within the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Adequate safeguards would have to be established, however, to prevent frivolous groups from organizing under the wing of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and to protect the principles and objectives of our Association.

The Executive Council should establish an ad hoc committee to investigate this matter further.

Respectfully submitted
S.C.T. Clarke
E.J. Ingram