The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Way to go!

Sarah Feutl, a Grade 12 student at Victoria School of the Arts, in Edmonton, is this year’s winner of the Alberta Press Council’s essay competition. For her efforts, she picked up $2,000 toward studies at the University of Alberta. Feutl’s essay, "Access Denied: Alberta’s Secrecy with Public Information and the Implications for the Press," addressed the question: "Are privacy laws being abused to keep information of public interest from the press?" In addition to winning essay contests, Feutl is a member of her school’s social justice committee and captain of her school and community soccer teams. In 2010, she cofounded an after-school drama program for elementary students. Next year, she plans to attend the U of A.

Teaching about democracy is full of surprises

Cambrian Heights School, in Calgary, was used as a polling station during the recent federal election, writes teacher Kaaren Finlay. "Students came into the gym to watch the process unfolding live. Some took data on the characteristics of arriving ­voters. We witnessed our students ­developing opinions and discussing issues with one another as well as their families. … It was a surprise to hear that out of my class of 22 Grade 6 students, five students’ parents were voting for the first time ever and three families saw a parent vote in the municipal and federal elections for the first time ever. Two others used their newly minted Canadian citizenship to vote in 2011. For me, teaching this grade for the first time this year, I had an exciting yet sober reflection. ­During my teaching, I had known that the most important part of the unit I could impart to my students wasn’t arcane ­government facts, but an appreciation of democracy and an excitement and positive attitude toward actual participation. I knew that as their first school teacher to work through this topic, I would make an initial impression. What I hadn’t fathomed at the time was the idea of this learning being so far-reaching that students would influence their families, and influence them to action. What a wonderful outcome!"

Bullying video grabs media attention

English students at Lord ­Beaverbrook High School, in Calgary, are producing a video about bullying. Global TV visited the school, interviewed students and ran a spot on its news program. To view the media coverage, visit www.globaltvcalgary.com/video/index.html and go to the May 22 episode of the News Hour.
—Story courtesy of Jeff Turner and Dale Wallace, Lord Beaverbrook High School, Calgary