The Alberta Teachers’ Association

What Is the ATA Educational Trust?

The ATA Educational Trust is a registered charitable organization closely affiliated with the Alberta Teachers' Association. Each year, the Trust offers bursaries and grants to Alberta teachers and educational researchers. Through its bursary program, the Trust encourages teachers to advance their knowledge and teaching skills by enrolling in courses of study. The Trust’s grant program encourages teachers to attend specialist council conferences, and develop resources or undertake research in education that will be of practical value to colleagues.

Since its inception in 1978, the Trust has received ongoing support from the ATA, many of its local associations, the Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association and private individuals. The Trust is managed by a board of seven trustees appointed by the Association.

Trust Objectives

• To encourage and support research and studies about teachers and teaching that advance knowledge of teaching
• To provide funding to help teachers advance their knowledge and skills in teaching 
• To encourage and fund projects to advance public knowledge and interest in education and educationally related matters

In addition, through the University of Alberta, the Trust offers, through the University of Alberta, the Orest and Francina Lazarowich $1,000 Bursary in Technology Education for third-year education students enrolled in the U of A’s CTS program. For information on applying for this bursary click here.

Donating to the Trust

Financial contributions are needed to realize the objects of the Trust. Bequests, personal donations, donations to celebrate a colleague's successful career in education, and donations in memory of a favourite teacher or individual are encouraged. Receipts are issued for income tax purposes. To donate to the Trust, please fill out one of the forms below.

Personal donation form (PDF)

Donations to honour someone special form (PDF)

Continuing Education Bursaries ($600)

Through its bursary program, the Trust encourages teachers to advance their knowledge and teaching skills by taking courses. Bursaries are paid after the recipient has completed the course, submitted proof of the amount paid in tuition fees and proof that the course has been completed.

Each year, the Trust awards a number of bursaries to certificated Alberta teachers wishing to take courses related to their teaching responsibilities. To qualify for a bursary, applicants must be planning to take a course in the upcoming summer or school year.

Applying for a Bursary

To apply for a bursary, follow these steps:

1. Download the application form (PDF). The deadline for the next draw is May 1, 2012. Only one form will be accepted from any applicant in a given year. Applicants should not have received an ATA Educational Trust bursary or grant in the past three years.
2. Mail the completed form, by the May 1 deadline, to The ATA Educational Trust, 11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton AB T5N 2R1. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Selecting Recipients

The name of each eligible person whose application has been received by the May 1 deadline is entered in a draw. All successful applicants are advised of the draw results by mail before the end of June. Recipients will be invited to attend an official award presentation arranged by their ATA local in the fall.

ATA Specialist Council Conference Grants ($400)

Each year, the Trust awards a number of grants to help defray the costs associated with attending an ATA specialist council conference. Eligible expenses include registration, accommodation, fuel and food. Only expenses not covered by other grants will be considered for compensation.

To qualify for a grant, applicants must

• register or plan to register for an ATA specialist council conference.
• take full advantage of other sources of funding available.
• not be a conference organizer.
• not have received a Trust bursary or grant in the past three years.
• have completed and submitted to the ATA Educational Trust by September 30 a Grant Application Form (PDF). (Only one form will be accepted from any applicant.)

In October, the names of all eligible applicants are entered into a draw and a set number of names are selected at random. School jurisdictions, ATA locals and specialist councils are notified of the results. The September 30 deadline is strictly applied. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Successful candidates will receive a claim form in October. Once they have attended the conference, they will need to submit the form along with original receipts for the expenses incurred.

Curriculum or Research Project Grants

Each year, the Trust awards a number of project grants of up to $3,000 to help individuals or groups conduct research or develop practical classroom materials for Alberta teachers. The materials and resources produced through these grants are placed in the ATA library where they can be borrowed by interested teachers.

Any individual or group involved in education and planning to undertake such a project during the next school year is eligible to apply. Submissions in the areas of special education, global and environmental education, languages, Francophone education, native education and early childhood education are of particular interest to the Trust.

Applying for a Project Grant

Grant applicants must submit a detailed proposal, on or before May 1, 2012 that follow the submission guidelines and instructions posted here (PDF).

Applicants should send three signed and dated copies of their proposal to the ATA Educational Trust (11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton AB T5N 2R1). To be considered, applications must be received on or before the close of business on May 1st. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

How Applicants Are Selected and Awarded

After reviewing the applications that meet the eligibility criteria, the Trust board selects those that, in its view, will be of most practical benefit to teachers, parents and/or students in the province. The maximum that the board will allocate to a single project is $3,000.

All applicants are notified in June as to whether or not they were selected to receive a project grant. Successful candidates are asked to confirm in September that they have accepted the amount offered and that they are proceeding with the project. In the fall, ATA locals (or the Trust board, in the case of nonmembers) will organize special events at which successful candidates will receive a framed award certificate. Successful applicants will be sent an advance cheque for a portion of the total amount granted. The remaining grant will be paid (up to a year later) after the recipient has completed the project and submitted the following items:  

1. A detailed statement of the expenses incurred, accompanied by receipts equaling or exceeding the total amount of the grant. (Expenses incurred before the grant was awarded are not eligible.)
2. Two original copies of the final report or teaching resource that has been produced. These materials must acknowledge the financial support of the Trust.
3. Projects must be completed by August 31 of the year following the award.   

Project Grant Recipients 2011/12

Project Grant Recipients 2010/11

Project Reports

The ATA library currently has over 125 teaching resources and project reports funded by the Trust. For a brief description of these resources, download the ATA Educational Trust booklet titled Project Reports (PDF). Interested teachers are encouraged to borrow these materials by phoning the library at 780-447-9400 (in Edmonton) or 1-800-232-7208 (elsewhere in Alberta).

How the Trust Is Managed

The Trust is managed by a board of seven trustees (see below), named by the Association, who meet twice a year. The ATA supports the day-to-day operation of the Trust by providing office space and staff. The Trust operates with complete autonomy and reports once a year to the Provincial Executive Council of the ATA. The Trust's annual report and audited financial statements are presented to the Annual Representative Assembly of the ATA in May of each year.

Board of Trustees for 2011/12

• Chris McCullough (chair), Red Deer Catholic Regional Division No 39
• Donna Armstrong, Medicine Hat School District No 76
• Madeline Fischer, retired teacher representative
• Roxane Holmes, Horizon Local No 4 
• Susan O'Neil, public/parent representative
• Robert McKague, Calgary Separate School Local No 55
• Gaylene Schreiber, Alberta Teachers' Association representative

History of the Trust

Contacting the Trust

Further information about the Trust and its award programs is available from these ATA staff members assigned to the operation of the ATA Education Trust:

• Gaylene Schreiber, ATA Trustee, at 780-447-9447 or 1-800-232-7208, ext 447.
  E-mail: gaylene.schreiber@ata.ab.ca.
• Didi Heer, Trust Controller, at 780-447-9437 or 1-800-232-7208, ext 437.
  E-mail: didi.heer@ata.ab.ca.
• Kim Dewar, Trust Administrator, at 780-447-9436 or 1-800-232-7208 ext 436.
  E-mail: kim.dewar@ata.ab.ca

Renseignements en français (PDF)

Recipients for 2011/12

Continuing Education Bursary Recipients

ATA Specialist Council Conference Grant Recipients