The Alberta Teachers’ Association

EI online survey: "Education for All"

Education International (EI) is launching a world-wide survey on teaching and learning conditions, with the aim of bridging the gap between policy making and the reality of the classroom. The survey will be accessible online until the end of July, and is part of EI’s assessment of Education for All. The results will be presented to UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, later this year. To complete the survey, visit the Education International website at www.ei-ie.org and select the Education for All survey icon.

Building Peaceful Communities

​The University of Alberta Faculty of Education and the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation for World Peace are sponsoring the Mahatma Gandhi 2014 Summer Institute: Building Peaceful Communities. This summer institute will focus on building peaceful communities and contribute to teachers’ understanding of community building in schools and classrooms; offer an opportunity to engage with other practitioners from across Canada and the US about important considerations in community building in an increasingly diverse society; and be relevant to classroom curriculum across subject areas and grade levels.

Each student will enrol in one of four graduate-level courses: Narrative Inquiries as Relational Research Methodology; Toward a Curriculum of Community; Toward a Gandhian Pedagogy; and Narrative Pedagogy as Social Justice. In addition to the courses, there will be three afternoon lectures open to the public, which all students will attend.

For more information and to register, contact Eliza Pinnegar, at elizapinnegar@gmail.com, or the Centre for Research for Teacher Education and Development (CRTED), at 780-492-7770; or visit www.elementaryed.ualberta.ca/en/centres/CRTED.aspx and follow the link to the Mahatma Gandhi 2014 Summer Institute page.

“Shakespeare Selfie” writing challenge for Canadians

Shakespeare used selfies all the time. But instead of a camera, he used a quill. From April 14 to May 9, Canada Writes will be asking Canadians to take a Shakespearean character, situate him or her in a present-day scenario, and write a new soliloquy (a speech in which the character talks to him/herself) or monologue for that character. 

CHALLENGE DETAILS:

• Word count: 200 to 400 words
• Two categories: ages 12-18 and ages 19+
• Submission period: April 14 to May 9, 2014
• How to enter: online at www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites
• Grand prizes: TWO iPad minis—one for entrants aged 12 to 18; and one for entrants aged 19 and up 

http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2014/03/celebrating-shakespeares-450th-with-new-writing-challenge-and-ya-fiction.html

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 theresa.agnew@ata.ab.ca.