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Question: Do I have to attend my teachers’ convention?
Answer: Yes. It is unprofessional for you to miss teachers’ convention unless you are engaged in an alternative professional development activity approved by the convention board, or unless you are on a leave of absence under the collective agreement. Teachers’ conventions are organized and paid for by teachers and it is every teacher’s professional responsibility to attend convention.
Section 97 of the School Act declares the two days of teachers’ convention to be part of the 200 teaching days for which full-time teachers are paid. Part-time teachers are also paid to attend all or a portion of teachers’ convention. Therefore, teachers who do not attend convention fail to uphold their legal and contractual obligations and their professional obligations. An Association bylaw (section 112) states that “all active members under contract to a school jurisdiction shall attend the annual teachers’ convention of the local association as planned, organized and authorized by the convention association.”
A teacher who fails to maintain the honour and dignity of the teaching profession by not fulfilling professional and employment obligations in regard to teachers’ convention could be found guilty of unprofessional conduct and fined. Unprofessional conduct of this nature undermines the integrity of the convention association, has a detrimental effect on colleagues and calls into question the teacher’s own professional reputation and the professional reputation of all teachers.
Questions for consideration in this column are welcome. Please address them to Gordon Thomas at Barnett House (gordon.thomas@ata.ab.ca).
