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Race is on in Calgary District byelection

October 15, 2019

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Nominations for the 2019 Calgary District byelection closed Oct. 3. Running for the position of district representative are two candidates: Kerri-Ann Brauner and Karen Nakaska. The successful candidate will represent their colleagues employed by Canadian Rockies Public Schools, Christ the Redeemer Public Schools, Foothills School Division and Rocky View Schools.

Visit www.teachers.ab.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Voting opens Oct. 21 at 8 a.m. and runs to Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.

 

Kerri-Ann Brauner

As teachers, we are in a time of uncertainty and hardship. We are getting paid less and less each year as the cost of living rises and our income stays stagnant. We are being asked to do more and more work without time being provided and, as a result, kids are getting tired, and overworked teachers are doing the very best they can to support growth in education. Teachers are a force. We will persevere through anything for the children we teach. It is time we are recognized as the society makers, culture changers and professionals that we are. My fight for this starts now.

I have been a teacher for 19 years in many types of schools, including very rural schools, urban schools, reserve schools and Métis settlements. I have taught behaviour programs and everything from Grade 2 health to high school CALM and English 10-1. Currently I am a teacher in a middle school in High River teaching grades 6 and 8, along with running our school cheer team and a figure skating club in Calgary. In the midst of all of this, I also started my master’s in education through the University of Calgary’s online program. You know what they say, if you want something done, give it to a busy person. I do everything I do with full fervour and vigour, and I am really looking forward to this new challenge.

I am currently the TW chair for my district, and I jumped into that role with both feet. I have learned a lot over the last little while, and I will keep learning. I look forward to serving you on this journey we face and serving you well as your representative.

 

Karen Nakaska

As a proud Alberta teacher and a passionate supporter of public education, I am honoured to stand as a candidate for the position of district representative in Calgary District.

Throughout my career, I have taught students at a variety of grade levels, working in traditional and alternative schools, gaining extensive experience in both rural and urban settings. I have held a number of leadership roles within my school division and while working with Alberta Education. I have also served my ATA local in various leadership capacities and held similar positions in service groups within the communities in which I have lived. My widely varying experiences have contributed to a unique perspective from which I view our province and our profession.

Over the course of a three-decade career, I have watched the workloads and stressors on my colleagues increase continuously. Alberta’s teachers truly are the heartbeat of education, and they deserve strong and effective district representation. Advocating for those teachers and their working conditions is, undoubtedly, advocating for our students and their learning conditions. With the many challenges currently facing teachers, it is vital that we remain united and optimistic in promoting the cause of public education in Alberta, as that public education is necessary for a just and equitable society. In the years ahead, I will work tirelessly to champion our students, our teachers and our profession. ❚

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