The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Earn a master’s in school counselling

The University of Alberta is now accepting applications for its master’s program in school counselling.

The program prepares teachers to implement individual, group and class/school-based interventions. The objectives of these include promoting students’ personal and social development, enhancing academic achievement and facilitating career decision making.

The program is responsive to teachers working in Edmonton and area schools who are interested in graduate-level training in counselling. The program enables teachers to work full-time while pursuing the degree. It’s a two-year, part-time program with course instruction beginning in summer for six consecutive weeks on campus. Between September and April, fall- and winter-term courses occur every other Saturday.

The deadline for applications is March 1. For a full description of the program, as well as admission criteria and course requirements, please visit the school counselling program website at www.edpsychology.ualberta.ca. Click on Graduate Programs, then School Counselling.

Nominate a deserving group or individual

Nominations are open for the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) 2015 awards of recognition. The awards fall into three categories: School Council Merit, Excellence in Learning Partnerships and Parent of Distinction.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28. More information and nomination forms are available at www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca.

Volunteer Retirement Consultants Needed

The Alberta Teachers’ Association Retirement Consultant Corps exists to provide retirement and pension information to members and assist members in preparing for retirement. Retirement consultants are active teachers who provide this volunteer service to members in their geographic area as required. No specific pension background or knowledge is required. Retirement consultants are appointed for a  three-year term to a maximum of three consecutive terms.

Training consists of seminars at the ATA Summer Conference which take place each August during the first three years of the appointment. Also, two regular Saturday training sessions are held each school year (one in the fall and one in the spring).

Teachers interested in becoming retirement consultants are invited to submit letters of application to:

Chris M Gibbon, Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Welfare
email chris.gibbon@ata.ab.ca or mail to 11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton T5N 2R1

Letters should highlight reasons for applying and any relevant skills.

Deadline for application is February 27, 2015.

2015 Gotcha! Photo Contest

The ATA News invites you to get your ­camera out and start shooting those award-winning ­photographs.

GOTCHA! Contest rules

1. Photos taken by ATA members and associate ­members of ­­education- or school-related activities are eligible. Photos ­depicting action are best.
2. Entries must be submitted by the teachers who took them.
3. The two best photos will receive first- and second-place awards. ­Honourable mentions will also be awarded.
4. Each entrant may submit up to five photos. Prints must not exceed 5 x 7 inches in size. All entries must be unmounted. Don’t send slides or instant photos. Digital photos are welcome. The file size should be about 4 mb or 5 x 7 inches at 300 dpi. Send photos to cory.hare@ata.ab.ca.
5. Photos taken between September 1, 2014, and May 16, 2015, are ­eligible.
6. Each entry must be accompanied by a description of the activity, the names (if possible) of the people in the photo and the date when the photo was taken. Please provide this information on a separate sheet of paper. Do not write on the back of photos or attach anything to the front.
7. Don’t forget to include your name, school, and school and home phone numbers.
8. Send your entry to the ATA News Gotcha! Photo Contest, 11010 142 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1. ­Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on May 16, 2015.
9. A panel of individuals with photography and ­teaching experience will judge the entries.
10. First- and second-place winners will receive certificates of merit. The decision of the judges is final.
11. Winning photographs will be published in the ATA News.
12. Photos may be published in the ATA News, the ATA Magazine or other Association ­publications.
13. Read carefully. Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in ­disqualification.
14. Get snapping and good luck!