Role of the school leader
As a school leader, your roles are many and varied. One moment you may be called upon to assist a teacher with a parent concern, the next you may need to make an administrative decision for the safe operation of the school. You are looked upon as a knowledge base and mentor for those around you, and an advocate for your school and public education.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association is here to help you in all of these areas and more. We have resources, events, collaborative partnerships and assistance for any situation you may face.
Advice on administrative and personnel concerns
The Association has a dedicated executive staff officer, Konni deGoeij, the associate coordinator, Teacher Employment Services—School Leader Assistance, to provide school leaders with advice on procedural issues related to discipline, transfers and terminations and to help school leaders resolve internal disputes within their school staff.
In addition to helping school leaders resolve difficulties related to their own employment, the Association also provides school leaders with advice concerning their role in personnel and/or legal matters involving their staff members.
Konni deGoeij can be contacted at 780-447-9400 (in Edmonton) or 1-800-232-7208 (toll free from elsewhere in Alberta). School leaders in southern Alberta can contact Keith Hadden, who works at the Southern Alberta Regional Office and can be reached at 403-265-2672 (in Calgary) or 1-800-332-1280 (toll free from elsewhere in Alberta).
In addition, all Teacher Employment Services executive staff are able to provide advice to individual school leaders about their particular concerns.
Mentorship
Support your new teachers and help your existing teachers pass on their skills by creating a mentorship program in your school
Learn moreEvents
Conferences, Workshops and Presentations
The Association values its school leaders and their professional development. We offer a variety of conferences, workshops and presentations in multiple formats designed to help school leaders be fully knowledgeable and effective in their leadership of frontline teachers and school employees.
Additionally, each year several organizations in Canada and the United States sponsor conferences specifically tailored to address the needs of school leaders. For further information, consult the Association’s Events Calendar.
Check out all our current and future professional development opportunities for school leaders here: www.tiny.cc/ATALeadersPD.
Professional development
Council for School Leadership
The Association has 21 specialist councils, which foster the professional development of teachers with common interests in different curriculum areas.
The Council for School Leadership sponsors a range of programs and activities specific to school leaders, including the annual uLead Conference. Further information about the Council for School Leadership and how you can be involved is available from Chris Gonsalvez or Tanya Thiessen, who can be contacted by telephone (toll-free in Alberta) at 1-800-232-7208 or by e-mail at chris.gonsalvez@ata.ab.ca or tanya.thiessen@ata.ab.ca.
The ATA Library
The ATA Library holds a wealth of information for school leaders School leaders are encouraged to use the Association’s extensive professional library, which has materials in both English and French. Library staff will research topics, gather information and send library materials to members upon request. Library staff can be contacted at library@teachers.ab.ca.
Publications
The Association has produced several publications that may be of interest to school leaders. Click here for a complete listing of Association publications. For publications specific to school leaders, click here.
