What Is Unprofessional Conduct?

As defined in Section 23 of the Teaching Profession Act, unprofessional conduct is conduct by an ATA member that exhibits any of the following characteristics:

• Is detrimental to the best interests of students, the public or the teaching profession.
• Contravenes the Teaching Profession Act or the Code of Professional Conduct.
• Harms or tends to harm the standing of teachers generally.
• Leads to a conviction on an indictable offence.

A member who refuses to cooperate with an investigator appointed by the executive secretary may also be charged with unprofessional conduct.

Section 23(3) of the Teaching Profession Act prohibits the ATA from disciplining members for conduct related to collective bargaining, the administration of a collective agreement, any matter under the jurisdiction of the Labour Relations Board or any matter that arises under the employment clauses (Sections 77 to 85 and 92[1]) of the School Act.

Nor can the ATA discipline members for incompetence, a matter that falls under the authority of the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards (COATS). Information on COATS can be obtained from Marc Prefontaine, Director and Registrar, Teacher Development and Certification, Alberta Education, 44 Capital Boulevard, 10044 108 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6; tel: 422-6982; fax: 422-4199; e-mail: marc.prefontaine@gov.ab.ca.