Page Content
When you think about the central role of public education in contributing to the future of Alberta in the next ten years, what potential promise do you see? What potential perils?
Here are answers from a cross-section of Alberta leaders.
When I wrote some years ago about the constitutional origins of Alberta’s public and separate schools1, I had no idea that this example of a great political compromise which made their establishment as a comprehensive public education system possible would be even more significant today. That’s because times are now truly perilous for democracies—certainly for the one south of us—due to a loss of that ability to compromise, to listen respectfully to the views of others in the public arena, to cherish wisdom, discernment, competence, merit and diversity over the narrow-mindedness with which manipulators of public discourse are tearing our societies apart.
What does the ability to compromise in the public arena, as exemplified in our school system, have to do with shaping public education in the next 10 years? As one of the diminishing number of surviving institutions in traditional democracies committed to giving all its members breathing room to grow and to be themselves, while cherishing the right of others to be different selves, public education is vital to combatting those who would have it otherwise.
In short, the very framework of our public schools embodies a time-tested bulwark against the dark forces now menacingly unleashed in the world. Every day, teachers in those schools pass on the values we need to survive into the future. More than ever, they deserve our sustained and wholehearted support.
Sandra M. Anderson
Labour and privacy lawyer, counsel for the ATA (retired), former Calgary Board of Education trustee chair
Our public education system has a critical role to play in the future of Alberta. Schools, teachers and the education system in general are essential to growing the leaders that will shape
Alberta’s tomorrow and allow our province to continue to thrive.
I believe investing in youth is a direct investment in our collective future. Specifically, education plays a key role in developing critical, independent thinking, fostering a strong work ethic, building community spirit and citizenship, and a culture of collaboration—all of which have the potential to have a lasting, positive impact on Alberta both socially and economically.
Engaged, healthy young people become contributing adults, and quality education is the foundation on which they can build, create, innovate and continually learn in order to advance themselves and our province.
Conversely, if we aren’t giving our young people this supportive foundation we are doing them and ourselves a huge disservice, and we will be faced with the consequences of having Albertans ill prepared to meet the demands of a dynamic marketplace and a disruptive economy.
Kelly Blackshaw
Business development leader, Inliv Inc.
Vice-chair, Alberta Sport Connection
Member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
I am hard-pressed to think of even one important influencer who is not stating, with assurance, that we are entering a period of dramatic and disruptive change. What do we do? How can we face this unknown future?
In Alberta, our resource base will continue to provide a foundation, but it is not enough. Our only hope is in building a human resource pool that is skilled, adaptable and cognitively in tune with the ambiguity of a changing world. We also need to recognize that we are not alone, nor are we ahead of others, but instead that we are entering this uncertain world with intense regional, national and global competition.
We need to be running like mad just to be in the race. Truly, our only hope is to build massive human resource capacity through our public education system. More than at any other time in Alberta’s entire history, we need to be intentional and purposeful in building and leveraging our public education system to create, not be handed, our future.
Passive followership is at best risky. Bold leadership that promotes an abundance of collaboration, communication, entrepreneurial thinking and ethical leadership will ensure a flexible and adaptable human resource base that will generate a valuable contribution in a changing world.
Jim Dewald
Dean, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary
Alberta is truly at a crossroads when it comes to education policy in the province. Increasingly, through the marketization of education, Alberta is drifting away from the true principles of universal public education: to create intelligent, engaged, inquiring and diverse citizens who are able to participate and protect a strong democracy, irrespective of their socio-economic status, faith, ability or culture.
Public schools are the practicums for all the discovery, acceptance and innovation every society requires to thrive. However, it is relatively easy for Albertans to take this foundational democratic muscle for granted. Throughout the past few decades, prosperity has blinded us to the slow boil by which privatization has, by design, undermined our public system. If we can recommit and redefine public education as a foundational, democratic muscle that must be cared for, exercised and challenged, one that is equitable and accessible to all children, we will be investing in a diverse, multi-talented, resilient future for Alberta.
Alberta has a unique opportunity now to learn from other systems, to build a system rooted in equity. It is an opportunity to chart a different course for Alberta students away from the structures and ways of the past. This vision must be based on those fundamental principles of equitable public education, and then fiercely protected.
Barbara Silva
Communication director, Support Our Schools
I’m a pediatrician and sports medicine physician, and a father who (along with my wife) raised two sons and a daughter in Alberta. They benefitted immeasurably from 12 years of public education, and I’m proud that, as responsible adults, they now look after themselves and their loved ones, and contribute positively to society.
When I think about the future of public education in our province, I consider it from the perspective of a physician and the unique position we’re in, as physician leaders, to influence and improve the health of school communities. Five years ago, in partnership with Ever Active Schools, we started doing just that when we introduced the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Youth Run Club. Now in place in almost 500 schools throughout the province, the Youth Run Club follows a comprehensive school health approach, supporting student well-being through physical activity, healthy eating, and positive, inclusive social environments.
Ideally, 10 years down the road, I see programs such as the AMA Youth Run Club having played a vital role in improving the health of Alberta’s young adults and their families, as they continue the healthy habits they learned in school.
Neil Cooper, MD
President, Alberta Medical Association
In the next ten years, public education will play a critical role in contributing to the future of Alberta. The entrepreneurs needed to promote growth and keep Alberta in the forefront of desirable places to live are being inspired by their teachers today. The leaders of tomorrow will be fostered by the opportunities presented to them in their school careers. The community-minded stewards of our future will be created in classrooms across Alberta.
The power of education to inspire and create critical thinkers can be enhanced by integrating the arts throughout the curriculum. With a focus on truth and reconciliation starting in our school systems, the arts are necessary to maintain cultural heritage. The arts provide a path for students to connect with each other and the world beyond their classrooms.
In an article on ascd.org about arts-based education entitled “A Vision for the Future of Education,” the authors state, “Rather than provide simply a break for minds, we envision that the arts can help form minds,” and that “arts-based education can offer specific practices for accomplishing the central goals of education.”
As Alberta Education strives to provide learning that is equitable, inclusive and accessible, promoting creativity will enable teachers and students to engage in impactful, lasting and meaningful experiences.
Liana Wheeldon
Executive director, Arts Council Wood Buffalo
Public education is instrumental in our journey towards reconciliation and a renewed relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Alberta.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has created an incredible amount of awareness about the history and legacy of the residential school system in Canada. The commission continues to have a profound impact on many and has provoked a huge momentum to engage in First Nations, Métis and Inuit education, culture and language, prompting many personal and professional commitments towards reconciliation.
While this new awareness and engagement hold much promise, it is crucial that the education system foster and develop relationships with local Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers, cultural advisors, families and communities. Without positive and effective relationships built on trust and understanding, the authenticity and integrity of our learning about Indigenous education will be in peril.
Many teachers have already started the journey towards reconciliation and have contributed toward positive change. Teachers need to continue to embrace opportunities to learn about multiple Indigenous perspectives and experiences, and continue to ask questions to support learning for everyone. We also need to continue to inspire others to engage in Indigenous education, culture and language to maintain the authenticity and integrity of our elders and knowledge keepers as we move toward changes in professional practice, standards and curriculum.
Melissa Purcell
Executive staff officer, Indigenous education, Alberta Teachers’ Association
