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The value of public education extends far beyond teaching fundamental knowledge to children.
This was the message shared by Ray Martin, former teacher, NDP MLA, opposition leader and school board trustee, in accepting the Public Education Award from the Alberta Teachers’ Association. ATA president Jason Schilling and past president Greg Jeffery presented the award to Martin at Barnett House on June 23.
In his acceptance speech, Martin emphasized his view of the true value of education.
“Education is more than the three Rs. Public education is also the greatest social initiative that you can make,” he said.
Martin held up a photo of himself surrounded by students during one of the many school visits he made during his tenure as a trustee on the board of Edmonton Public Schools.
“This is why this award means so much to me. It would mean a lot anyhow, but to me this is the future, these kids,” he said.
In his introduction, Schilling noted that Martin started his schooling in a one-room school in Delia, northeast of Drumheller. While he described himself as a lazy student, by the end of Grade 12 he’d decided to become a physical education teacher — mostly due to his love of sports and of coaching.
Martin earned his BEd from the University of Alberta, taught and coached in high schools in Calgary and Sherwood Park and later obtained a masters in education from the University of Calgary.
Entering the political arena
By the early 1980s, Martin was becoming disillusioned with the rhetoric and policies of the conservative government in Alberta, and in 1982 he ran and was elected as a New Democrat in the provincial election. He and Grant Notley were the only two members of the New Democrats elected that year, so after Notley died in a plane crash in 1984, Martin became the party leader.
In 1986 Martin lead the party to an astonishing 16 seats in the legislature, becoming the leader of the official opposition. The same result occurred in 1989 but in 1993 the party suffered a crushing defeat when none of its candidates was elected.
In 1994 Martin left provincial politics and went on to serve two terms as trustee for Edmonton Public Schools. He returned to the legislature in 2004, and it was during this second tenure in provincial politics that he became known as a champion of public education, often sparring with the education minister as he advocated for teachers.
“He continually held the minister’s feet to the fire regarding the teachers’ unfunded pension liability,” Schilling said, adding that Martin was especially known for his fierce stance on the need to fund full-day kindergarten and advocating for funding to help vulnerable families overcome the challenges of poverty.
“This brief speech cannot begin to totally capture the dedication to teachers and students exhibited by Mr. Martin over his long and illustrious career. He truly exemplifies the adage ‘once a teacher, always a teacher’ as even in retirement he continues to advocate for public education,” Schilling said.
The Association’s Public Education Award is offered occasionally to an individual or a group that has given outstanding support to public education in Alberta other than through teaching. Provincial Executive Council identified Martin as a deserving recipient in 2020. The presentation was delayed due to the disruption of last year’s Annual Representative Assembly, which is the usual venue for handing out the award.
In concluding his own speech, Martin thanked teachers, principals and the Association for all the important work they do.
“Your work is so appreciated and, if I may say so, any time you need me, please free to call because I so strongly believe in what the ATA is doing and also the work that the people on the ground are doing,” he said.
“These kids are important. They’re very important. They need all the help they can get and they’re getting it from the ATA members.”
