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Attention substitute teachers
The Alberta Teachers’ Association is conducting a survey on the worklife experiences of substitute teachers. The survey is available online at substitutesurvey.ca until December 17, 2010. All substitute teachers in Alberta are urged to participate. This survey is a follow-up to one that the Association conducted in 2008 in collaboration with the Substitute Teachers Committee. For information, contact Kurt Moench or Doreen Link at the Southern Alberta Regional Office (SARO). Telephone: 403-265-2672 (Calgary) or toll free at 1-800-332-1280 from elsewhere in Alberta. E-mail: kurt.moench@ata.ab.ca or doreen.link@ata.ab.ca.
Teach and live in another culture
The Teacher Exchange Program, housed at Barnett House, in Edmonton, offers teachers the opportunity to swap jobs with other teachers for a year. Eligible participants choose from Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and other provinces in Canada. Participants continue to be employed by their Alberta school jurisdictions. Application deadline is December 31, 2010. For information, contact Sara Coumantarakis, Teacher Exchange Program. Telephone: 780-447-9400, extension 628; e-mail: sara.coumantarakis@ata.ab.ca; website: www.EducationExchangeAlberta.ca.
Has someone in your school been touched by cancer?
The Youth Relay for Life Program is a Canadian Cancer Society initiative giving students an opportunity to join with their families and friends in celebrating cancer survivors, remembering loved ones touched by cancer and raising awareness about preventing and curing cancer. Schools are invited to host a Relay for Life event. It is a chance for staff and students to participate in fun activities and honour those who have survived cancer and/or who have died from cancer. It is also an educational opportunity to learn more about cancer, its early detection, screening and prevention. For information, visit www.cancer.ca/albertayouthrelay or contact Colin Edington. Telephone: 403-303-3519; e-mail: relayforlifeyouth@cancer.ab.ca.
ATA publications are informative and timely
The Alberta Teachers’ Association has published three new publications. We Are Teachers. Teaching is Our Profession is designed to inform, educate and engage members. The brochure reinforces the value and importance of the core work of the Association and highlights the Association’s principal programs and services. The Courage to Choose: Emerging Trends and Strategic Possibilities for Informed Transformation in Alberta Schools: 2010–2011 draws on Association research and attempts to answer the question: “What kind of society do we want to create in Alberta and what kind of teaching and learning will get us there?” Here Comes Everyone is designed to help school staff establish educational practices that honour and reflect intercultural perspectives. The publication features practical advice for teachers, tips for administrators and a list of community resources. To order your copy, contact Distribution at Barnett House, in Edmonton (e-mail: distribution@ata.ab.ca)
Creative music program hits the right chord
XM Canada, a digital audio and content provider, in collaboration with S’Cool Life Fund, has launched the XM Instrument Fund—a $100,000 fund to encourage the artistic growth of Canada’s next generation of performers and musicians. The fund will support eligible elementary schools across Canada by refreshing schools’ existing music programs and developing new programming for students. Funding will be provided for instruments, sheet music, instrument supplies and uniforms. Grant applications for the 2010/11 school year are available online until January 31, 2011. Schools can apply for one grant per school per calendar year; S’Cool Life Fund applicants who have already applied for a music grant for 2011 will be considered for the new funding. Recipients will be selected in spring 2011. To apply or to learn more, visit the S’Cool Life Fund website (www.scoollifefund.ca) or visit XM Canada’s website (www.xmradio.ca/ccd).
Association offers Healthy Interactions facilitator training workshop
Healthy Interactions facilitator training workshop is a communications and conflict-resolution program offered by the Alberta Teachers’ Association in collaboration with teachers or school jurisdictions. The redesigned four-day workshop is available to teachers wishing to receive a certificate as a trained facilitator in the Healthy Interactions program. The workshop is being offered three times in 2010/11. Registration for this workshop is free to active members and includes all training materials, breakfast and lunch. Participants are responsible for substitute teacher costs, travel and accommodation costs if needed. The Edmonton workshops are held at Barnett House, 11010-142 Street. The Calgary workshop will be held at the Glenmore Inn & Convention Centre, 2720 Glenmore Trail, SE. Space is limited. For information, contact Joyce Sherwin or Brian Andrais at 780 447 9400 or 1 800 232 7208.
Essential ABCs
ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization working to inspire Canadians to increase their literacy skills. The organization mobilizes business, government and communities to support lifelong learning and achieve its goals through leadership in programs, communications and partnerships. For information on adult literacy, visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca; follow on Twitter (@Life_Literacy) or on Facebook.
>Read the Learning Team
The Learning Team, published four times a year by the Alberta Teachers’ Association, is distributed to school councils across Alberta. The Learning Team is a valuable source of information for parents and teachers working together for children’s education. School principals are encouraged to reprint feature articles and teaching and/or parent tips featured in the publication. For information, contact Raymond Gariepy, managing editor, Learning Team. Telephone: 780-447-9438; e-mail: raymond.gariepy@ata.ab.ca.
Volunteer overseas with Canadian Crossroads International
Do you want to change the world? Put your skills to use for social change and gain valuable work experience by volunteering with Canadian Crossroads International. Crossroads is recruiting volunteers (under the age of 30) with experience in database design, systems management, information and communications technologies and more. If you want to help bridge the digital divide and expand your horizons abroad, join Crossroads in fighting for a more just and equitable world. Details about current openings are posted on the Crossroad’s website at www.cciorg.ca or by contacting the organization by e-mail at vol@cciorg.ca.
Act now to activate your specialist council membership
Active members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association are entitled to a complimentary membership in the specialist council of their choice. Teachers must activate their membership each year. To activate your membership, log in to TNET by clicking on the login link in the blue bar at the top of the Association’s web page, then follow the Specialist Council Membership link under Your ATA Tools.
Bring the world to your classroom
BRIDGES: Student Speakers for Global Awareness is a free educational program operated by University of Alberta International. The BRIDGES program, now in its 18th year, links the valuable resource pool of UofA international students from around the world with grade schools to enhance the prescribed curriculum or to broaden students’ horizons. Schools and communities receive firsthand perspectives on countries and global issues. The volunteers, who have come from around the world to study at the university, share their experience and knowledge of life in other cultures and countries. The program is relevant to the Alberta Social Studies curriculum and is also an excellent resource for second language classes, food studies, religious studies and other programs. For information, contact BRIDGES by e-mail: Bridges@international.ualberta.ca.
WOW! ATA workshops are only $100!
ATA workshop fees are only $100 per workshop. For information, visit the Alberta Teachers’ Association website (www.teachers.ab.ca) and under the heading Professional Development, click on Workshops, Courses and Presentations to obtain information. Book a workshop by contacting Barnett House, in Edmonton. Telephone: 780-447-9417 (in Edmonton and area) or call toll-free in Alberta at 1-800-232-7208 or by e-mail at pdworkshops@ata.ab.ca. Please book workshops six weeks in advance.
