The Alberta Teachers’ Association

CORY HARE

Back row, L-R
Carolyn Freed, IEEP teacher exchange liaison, Alberta Teachers’ Association
Mariemma González, head of special educational needs unit, Junta de Castilla y León
Katherine McGeean, IEEP student exchange liaison, Alberta Teachers’ Association
Sharon Vogrinetz, assistant executive secretary, Alberta Teachers’ Association

Front row, L-R
Beatriz Monje, internationalization section head, Junta de Castilla y León
Pilar Gonzáles, general director for innovation and equity in education, Junta de Castilla y León Alberto Hernández, head of teacher training unit, Junta de Castilla y León

An education delegation from the northwest region of Castilla y León, Spain, visited Alberta from Oct. 15 to 22 to meet with staff from the Alberta Teachers’ Association and Alberta Education to discuss exchanges and to celebrate 15 years of working together. The delegation also visited a number of schools.

The International Education Exchange Program (IEEP) at the ATA has enjoyed many successful student and teacher exchanges in this region of Spain, and these talks will serve to deepen ties, said exchange liaison Carolyn Freed.

This school year, two Alberta teachers are participating in a two-week exchange to Castilla y León and 21 high school students in the province are taking part in a two-month reciprocal exchange.

“These once-in-a-lifetime experiences are a powerful way to show students, administrators and teachers the importance of international initiatives, as well as providing excellent professional development for teachers,” Freed said.

More information on the IEEP program is available at www.ieep.ca.