ATA locals honoured for political engagement and public relations
During the August 9 opening session of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s 62nd annual Summer Conference, teachers honoured locals from across Alberta for excellence in political engagement and public relations.
Sturgeon garners kudos for “Excellence through Collaboration”
Sturgeon Local No. 27 won a Local Public Relations Award for best overall program for its submission “Excellence through Collaboration.” In 2009/10, the local set a goal to increase the profile of teachers through improved communication and collaboration with education stakeholders. Actions taken included increasing the number of school, teacher and community meetings attended by local executives; purchasing advertisements in local newspapers to recognize the contributions of teachers and to publicize Education Week; sponsoring a community wellness fund; organizing mental health workshops; presenting packages to new teachers at induction ceremonies; highlighting the benefits of belonging to the ATA in the local’s monthly report to members; conducting a member survey; creating an e-mail list to keep substitute teachers informed; and revamping the website.
Locals’ “Stop the Cuts” campaigns applauded
Parkland Teachers’ Local No. 10 and Evergreen Catholic Local No. 44 won a Local Political Engagement Award for their “Stop the Cuts” campaign. The campaign protested an anticipated $300 million-plus cut to education funding in the 2010/11 provincial budget. The locals encouraged residents of Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Parkland County to visit the provincial “Stop the Cuts” website and to contact their MLAs about education funding. The locals also collected 750 signatures on a petition that they presented to Minister of Education Dave Hancock, QC, and they staged concurrent public marches that ended at the offices of MLAs Doug Horner and Fred Lindsay.
Fort McMurray Local No. 48 also won a Local Political Engagement Award for its “Stop the Cuts” campaign. The local encouraged teachers, parents, senior administrators and school trustees to sign a Band-Aid to express their concerns about anticipated cuts to education funding. More than 500 signatures were affixed to a “Stop the Cuts” banner, which was presented to MLA Guy Boutilier, who, after affixing his own Band-Aid, presented it to Hancock. To further foster parental engagement in the campaign, the local displayed “Stop the Cuts” banners, set up “Stop the Cuts” kiosks in schools during parent–teacher interviews and distributed “Stop the Cuts” postcards to families.
Calgary Public’s “Experience Teaching First” praised
Calgary Public Teachers Local No. 38 won a Local Political Engagement Award for “Experience Teaching First,” which matched nonteaching professionals with teachers and classrooms on World Teachers’ Day, October 5. Eight professionals, including several MLAs, taught students, did photocopying and participated in meetings, supervision and other extracurricular activities for which their host teachers were responsible. Participants and their host teachers discussed their experiences, celebrated education and sought solutions to teaching and learning challenges.
“Paddling up River: Member Engagement” drew public’s attention
Edmonton Catholic Teachers Local No. 54 won a Local Public Relations Award in the special project category for its submission “Paddling up River: Member Engagement.” The local, participated in the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival, promoted the ATA’s “Healthy Minds, Bright Futures” (HMBF) program, built camaraderie among teachers and increased the local’s profile in the community. Communications featured e-mailing members; organizing social gatherings to promote participation; and staffing an HMBF booth at the Dragon Boat Festival. The successful project, which garnered coverage on CBC Radio, involved teachers from 28 schools and resulted in a high-profile presence at a festival that attracted an estimated 6,000 people, 1,000 of whom entered a contest at the HMBF booth.
“A Public Education” partnership lauded
Holy Spirit Catholic Local No. 5, Lethbridge Public School Local No. 41 and Palliser Local No. 19 won a Local Public Relations Award in the ongoing communication category for their submission “A Public Education.” During the 2009/10 school year, locals partnered with their school boards, the University of Lethbridge and Global TV to produce TV programs about public education. The stories aired on Global and Shaw TV in Lethbridge each month. The project’s objectives were to promote public education and to highlight the great things going on in schools. Topics covered were character education, technology, fine arts, math, literacy and outreach programs. Newsletters and e-mails advertised the TV program and the website. The programs are available online at www.a-public-education.ca.
For more information about Local Political Engagement Awards, contact Dennis Theobald at 780-720-5408. For information about Local Public Relations Awards, contact Jonathan Teghtmeyer at 780-996-4402.
