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Buski and Hjelter on the marquis for doubleheader
Laura Harris
ATA News Staff
Dr. Julius Buski and Earl Hjelter have diligently, thoughtfully and dynamically provided service to the teaching profession over the course of decades. Through outstanding work and high ethical standards both have earned their admission to the rank of Honorary Membership and will have the Association’s highest honour bestowed upon them May 22 at the Annual Representative Assembly, in Calgary.
Up first will be Buski.
Buski, a former executive secretary with the Association, began his notable career as a teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) in 1959. He rose through the ranks to become a school administrator and was elected president of the Edmonton Public Teachers’ local and the Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention Association. Buski stayed with EPSB until 1976, when he left to take on the challenging position of deputy superintendent with the Camrose School District.
In 1980, Buski joined the Association as an executive staff officer with the Professional Development program area; he became the ATA’s executive secretary in 1988. During his 10 years at the top post, which included a rocky ride through the Klein-era cuts, his leadership, commitment and genuine passion for public education were invaluable.
After retiring from the Association in 1998, Buski undertook work with Rotary International until 2001, when he was appointed secretary general of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF). With CTF, an organization that in1999 had presented him with its Special Recognition Award, Buski worked tirelessly on a number of international committees and on promoting public education. He retired from CTF in 2006. Buski has returned to his local district of Rotary International and serves as chair of one of its committees, one of its foundations, and as a secretary of one of its societies.
Up second, Hjelter.
Hjelter began his career as a teacher at the Board of Education of Beaver County in 1971.
Hjelter joined the Association in 1986, in the Teacher Welfare program area. In 2000, he became the coordinator of Teacher Welfare, then in 2002 was appointed the Association’s associate executive secretary, a position he held until his retirement in 2008. He also served as an Economic Policy Committee member and chair for 5 of the 13 years he was a teacher with Alberta’s largest school board (Calgary Board of Education). Hjelter still can be found, albeit intermittently, at Barnett House working on various special projects. His expertise in the areas of labour relations, collective bargaining, employee benefits and facilitation are still valuable to the ATA.
Hjelter also served for more than a decade as secretary to the Association discipline committees. As well, he served as vice-chair of the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan and a board member with World Skills Calgary 2009.
Hjelter continues to hike, canoe and fly around the globe when the Association is not in pursuit of his many talents.
Honorary membership, the Association’s highest award, is reserved for members of the Association or other persons who have given meritorious service to the teaching profession or to the advancement of education.
