The Alberta Teachers’ Association

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.

A Big Change is coming

The Day of Big Change will launch on 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.

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. Visit CTF’s website for information: www.ctf-fce.ca.

Visit Juno Beach this year

Every year, the Juno Beach Centre holds a 10-day annual PD program for teachers. The educational tour usually begins in late July or early August and is aimed at all teachers, but especially those teaching high school level Canadian history. This year’s ninth annual tour will be held July 28–August 6, 2013. The deadline for 2013 applications is February 22. To learn more, visit www.junobeach.org/centre/english/education/teacher_trip.htm.

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 https://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.

Download the ATA iPhone app

The ATA’s mobile application connects teachers with personalized information from their professional association. The iOS app is available for download from the Apple App Store for use on iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads. (Download the app by searching “Alberta teachers” in the App Store.) The My Info section of the app connects teachers to their ATA local, teachers’ convention and specialist council. Teachers can also access their collective agreement. Another feature allows teachers to search for ATA events and to download them directly into their phone’s calendar. The News tab contains news from the ATA and headlines on relevant education issues. Next advancements for the app are likely to include greater integration for Association subgroups, conversion to other mobile operating systems (like Android or Blackberry) and optimization for mobile tablets.

Help change the life of a young person

The Wilderness Youth Challenge Program (WYCP) needs volunteers to plan and manage “Call of the Wild,” its annual winter solo camping fundraiser and crime prevention awareness event, which takes place March 15–17, 2013. Various opportunities will focus on solo campers, social media, onsite event participation and more. Individuals and groups are welcome to volunteer. WYCP is a not-for-profit, charitable organization that provides at-risk youth an opportunity to participate in a 10-day backcountry experience centred on a personal 4-day solo camping challenge. For information, contact Paula Fortune at 780-289-2704. Learn more about WYCP at www.wycp.org.

Great actions deserve recognition

The Academy Awards recognize good acting, but the Emerald Awards recognize great actions. For more than 20 years, the Alberta Emerald Foundation has recognized, celebrated and inspired environmental excellence in Alberta. Nominations for the 22nd Annual Emerald Awards are now open. Nominate yourself or someone you know for an Emerald Award. Nomination forms and information about the foundation and its awards program are on the Alberta Emerald Foundation website (www.emeraldfoundation.ca).

Showcasing education graduate student research

“Emerging Possibilities in Teaching and Scholarship” is the theme of a presentation on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The keynote speaker is Dr. Dwayne Donald. The event takes place from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. on the University of Alberta campus, Education South. A call for a poster design and papers closes February 4. For information about submissions, contact Colin Saby, by e-mail at csaby@ualberta.ca. For general information, visit www.secondaryed.ualberta.ca or www.elementaryed.ualberta.ca.

Auto for sale

2010 Mercedes Benz R350—3.5L V6 engine; white with tan leather interior; wood-grain interior finish; 4-matic all-wheel drive; USB MP3 connection; 6-disc CD player; Bluetooth, ­dual-zone climate control; power heated front driver and passenger seats with memory; heated steering wheel; tilt steering wheel with memory; tinted glass; sunroof; 6-passenger seating; rear view camera, full-sized spare tire; Sirius radio; and approximately 120,000 kilometres.Sealed bids for the above vehicle should be marked “Car Bid,” attention Mr. Jeffrey Loke, ATA Business and Facilities Manager, Alberta Teachers’ Association, 11010-142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 2R1. Bids will be accepted until 5 p.m., March 10, 2013.

For more information, contact Mr. Loke. Telephone: 780-447-9458 in Edmonton and area, or 1-800-232-7208 (toll free) from elsewhere in Alberta. The Alberta Teachers’ Association reserves the right to refuse the highest bid if it’s deemed to be inadequate.

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.