Substitute Teachers

Substitute teachers are fully qualified, certificated teachers employed by school boards to replace regular classroom teachers when necessary. Substitute teachers are active members of the Association from the first day of employment in a school year until the end of June or until they are no longer on the substitute teacher roster.

One per cent of earnings in each month for active members employed as substitutes is deducted by the employing board and submitted to the Association as ATA fees. A substitute teacher is considered to be a member of the local to which they contribute the most fees.

As active members of the Association, substitute teachers are eligible to receive both direct and indirect services. Some of the direct services provided include

• access to the ATA News and the ATA Magazine, as well as copies of ATA monographs and pamphlets;
• access to the Member's Diary through their local association;
• use of the ATA library;
• advice and consultation on issues related to employment;
• advice and consultation on issues related to membership in the Association;
• opportunity to attend the annual Substitute Teachers’ Conference;
• consultation regarding employment insurance and assistance with appeals; and
• legal advice and assistance if criminal charges are brought against them as a result of incidents that occur while they are providing service as a member.

Indirect services include

• eligibility for participation in specialist councils, annual teachers’ conventions and local professional development activities;
• access to Association scholarships and fellowships;
• representation through the collective bargaining process;
• eligibility to represent the local at ARA and Summer Conference and to serve on local committees as determined by the local; and
• eligibility to be nominated for provincial Association committees, instructor corps, consultant corps and Association positions on Alberta Education committees.

The interests of substitute teachers are served through the standing Substitute Teachers’ Committee of the Association, which serves as an advisory committee to Provincial Executive Council.