The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Vote on April 23

Alberta’s general election will be held April 23, 2012. On March 17, representatives from each of Alberta’s political parties participated in an ATA panel discussion on issues about public education in Alberta. The ATA’s election forum is available for viewing online at www.teachers.ab.ca.

Technology in FNMI settings focus of webinar

The Learning Network is offering online workshops on technology and innovation in First Nations, Métis and Inuit education. The webinars will be offered April 17 and 24 and May 3 and 8. For more information and to register, visit the Learning Network website (www.learning-network.org).

Are you a CTF Project Overseas participant?

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) invites Project Overseas participants to a reunion in Ottawa, July 3–5. Participants will celebrate the 50th anniversary of CTF’s international programs. For information and to register, visit the CTF website (www.ctf-fce.ca).

Workshops will discuss enhancing productivity with balanced technology

The Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists is presenting four workshops in Edmonton, April 21 and 22. Workshops are designed to enhance productivity with balanced technology management. Parents, teachers, administrators, special education staff, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, counsellors, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and child care providers are invited to attend. The following workshops will be offered. Workshop 1: Sensory Processing—Harnessing Energy: Sensory Tools and Techniques for Responsible Learning; Workshop 2: Fine Motor Development—Back to Basics: Printing Skills—The Forgotten Foundation of Literacy; Workshop 3: Attachment and Addictions—A Cracked Foundation: How Virtual Parenting Is Destroying Our Children; and Workshop 4: Technology Balance—Mixed Signals: Connection to Technology Is Disconnecting Child Development. Participants can register for all four workshops (two days) or for two workshops (one day). For information or to register, visit the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists website (www.saot.ca)

Healthy Interactions Workshops

Relationships are important

Healthy Interactions is a communications and conflict-resolution program offered by the Alberta Teachers’ Association in collaboration with teachers or school jurisdictions. The four-day workshop is available to teachers wishing to receive a certificate as a trained facilitator in the Healthy Interactions program. There is also a two-day workshop that is intended to help individual teachers and principals enhance their ability to deal with conflict concerns. Concepts taught are based on the Healthy Interactions approach. Please visit the ATA website for specific dates and locations. Registration is free to active ATA members and includes all training materials, breakfast and lunch. Participants are responsible for substitute teacher, travel and accommodation costs. Registration forms are available at www.teachers.ab.ca; Hover your cursor over For Members, then click on Healthy Interactions Program in the right hand column. Space is limited. For information, contact Joyce Sherwin at Barnett House, in Edmonton. Telephone: 780-447-9400 in Edmonton and area or 1-800-232-7208 toll free from elsewhere in Alberta. Or Cynthia Malner-Charet and Keith Hadden at SARO, in Calgary. Telephone: 403-265-2672 in Calgary and area or 1-800-332-1280 toll free from elsewhere in Alberta.

Building peaceful communities

­Mahatma ­Gandhi 2012 Summer Institute
July 3–12, 2012,
University of Alberta

The Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta and the ­Mahatma ­Gandhi Foundation for World Peace are sponsoring the Mahatma Gandhi 2012 Summer Institute: Building Peaceful Communities. The ­Centre for Research for Teacher Education and Development is coordinating this institute.

STRUCTURE: There are three separate three-credit graduate level courses organized into an institute format. Each student will enroll in one course. The three courses are Narrative Inquiries as Relational Research Methodology ­Toward a ­Curriculum of Community, and Toward a Gandhian Pedagogy. In addition to the courses, there will be three afternoon lectures (open to the public). All students will attend these events.

For more information and to register, contact Sonia Houle, at sonia.houle@ualberta.ca, or the CRTED, at 780-492-7770. Or visit www.­elementaryed.ualberta.ca/en/Centres/CRTED.aspx and follow the link to the Mahatma Gandhi 2012 Summer ­Institute: Building Peaceful Communities page.

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.