Today the Government of Alberta announced the formation of a new committee, the Minister’s Teacher Advisory Council.
It is the Association’s view that this new committee is unnecessary. The government has already heard continuously from teachers and parents regarding such topics as curriculum and health and safety related to the pandemic. Forming this committee while ignoring other feedback is a signal to teachers and parents that their concerns are not being heard.
The Association has and will continue to offer feedback and suggestions to Alberta Education on emerging topics important to all teachers and students in this province. The 40 committee members for this council will be vetted by the minister and staff, whereas the Association represents over 44,000 teachers across the province from diverse backgrounds and who work in diverse settings. It is an open and democratic organization.
While the Association is disappointed that the minister refuses to work through the profession to gather feedback on matters pertaining to education, the decision is left to the individual teacher to exercise their professional judgment as to whether they wish to put their name forward for this committee.
Those teachers applying should consider the following before putting their names forward to the ministry:
- It is important to carefully read all documentation that is received prior to participation.
- A public profile will be created for each teacher that participates on the committee, which will include name and hometown. This information will be publicly disclosed by the Alberta government through newsletters, news releases, websites and social media accounts to promote and advertise the Minister’s Teacher Advisory Council and its activities.
- The fact sheet released states that the application process will consist of a questionnaire and interview so that the selection committee can gather information regarding interests, identities, background and perspectives.
- Participating teachers should expect to be required to sign a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA). Participants in prior “consultations” have expressed deep dissatisfaction that they have not been allowed to comment on consultations and matters that they had been working on even while misleading statements were being made about their representations and conclusions in public. Some have, in retrospect, described the NDA as a “gag order” that is contrary to fostering constructive public dialogue.
- The NDA used previously has been reviewed by Association legal counsel who advise that participants who sign the document should ensure adherence to it at all times. Due to its legalistic and technical language, participants should request a copy of the NDA in advance and read it very carefully before signing. Questions arising prior to signing may be addressed to Teacher Employment Services. Teachers may wish to make their participation in the consultation conditional on not having to sign the NDA and leave it to government to determine whether they are still invited to engage in the process.
As we have shared numerous times with the minister, we are willing to discuss a plan for a more positive, inclusive and just path for education in this province with the minister, and help in regaining the trust of teachers and the confidence of parents and the public. By working together as a profession, not as a selected few individuals on a committee, we can create the best public-school system for Albertans.