All Alberta teachers must meet the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) throughout their careers. 
To determine whether they are meeting their professional obligations under the TQS, they must 
use their reasoned professional judgment.

Teachers are responsible for delivering curriculum outcomes to students. In most cases, how 
teachers meet those outcomes is within their professional scope of practice. In relation to the 
TQS, teachers have a professional obligation to foster effective relationships; engage in career￾long learning; demonstrate a professional body of knowledge; establish inclusive learning 
environments; apply foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit; and adhere to 
legal frameworks and policies.

Teachers’ workloads are at an all-time high. With significant competing interests and 
expectations, and a finite amount of time and energy, teachers may need to make choices. During
difficult times, they may need to re-evaluate their priorities. In this process, they should 
determine what are must-dos and what are merely nice-to-haves.

An example of a must-do is delivering the curriculum and doing the associated assessments. In 
reviewing their professional practice, a teacher should consider, for example, whether outcomes 
can be addressed with five assessments rather than the seven they are currently using. This type 
of prioritization is critical to managing workload.

An example of a nice-to-have is additional voluntary service. Teachers take on extracurricular 
activities because they enjoy them and are devoted to them. However, giving up free time has an 
impact on all aspects of teachers’ lives. With limited time and potential workload issues, they
may need to re-evaluate their participation in extracurricular activities. There may also be times 
in a teacher’s life or career when they can give more or less of themselves.

Teachers have the power and authority to make choices in many areas, including managing their 
workload. They should not feel guilty about re-evaluating their priorities, as their primary role is  to
provide instruction and assess student learning. While teachers individually make these 
decisions, they should do so with the understanding that it is OK to set boundaries.
​
If you have questions about managing your workload or deciding whether an activity is a must do
or a nice-to-have, contact Teacher Employment Services for advice.

WORTH SHARING
Teacher workload is at an all-time high, and teachers may need to renegotiate their work 
commitments. Setting boundaries and protecting one’s time should be a normalized individual 
decision of teachers. #WEAREATA

AMA and Teachers
 
As reported in the March 12, 2024, issue of the ATA News, the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) have formed a partnership. This enables Association members to access special offers and services through AMA.
 
The partnership involves no administrative cost to the Association or its members. However, AMA does charge an annual fee based on the membership category selected. As AMA members can attest, just one vehicle tow in a year can offset the cost of the membership fee.
 
In addition to AMA’s already vast services to members, its offers to Association members include an exclusive Association white label online booking engine for flights and car rentals, vacation packages, and attractions. Association members can also access an exclusive travel insurance website to purchase insurance related to trip cancellation or interruption, travel medical insurance, and more. Exclusive hotel rates and a special offer for new AMA members are also available.
 
Check out the exclusive Association travel page here.
 
If you are already an AMA member, you know about AMA’s many offerings. Those include payback (reward dollars) on gift card purchases; over 165,000 partners; and full coverage for towing, battery services and other vehicle-related issues.
 
In this world of escalating prices, you cannot go wrong with an AMA membership.
 
WORTH SHARING
 
Teachers should consider taking advantage of amazing travel assistance and many other great offers through the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s new partnership with the Alberta Motor Association (AMA). #WEAREATA
​

The Central Table Bargaining Committee (CTBC) is hosting two Zoom webinars to share aspects of the draft initial proposal for central table bargaining for 2024.
 
Members will receive an overview of the Association’s draft opening position for central table bargaining, information on the development of the finalized initial proposal and an update on where we are in the bargaining process. Members will also have an opportunity to provide feedback.
 
The webinars will be held April 23 and April 24. Members do not need to attend both sessions, as the content will be the same. For members who are unable to attend, one session will be recorded and posted to the Association’s website, in the Bargaining Updates 2024 section.

To stay connected and informed, keep an eye out for Bargaining Updates.
 
WORTH SHARING
The Central Table Bargaining Committee (CTBC) is hosting two Zoom webinars to share aspects of the draft initial proposal for central table bargaining for 2024. The first will be held on Tuesday, April 23, at 4 pm and the second on Wednesday, April 24, at 7 pm. To register, click here for Tuesday or here for Wednesday. Keep an eye out for Bargaining Updates to stay connected and informed. #WEAREATA

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Central Table Bargaining Committee (CTBC) held a telephone town hall (TTH) for members to share the draft goals and priorities from the central table survey. Members received a political overview, information on the role of the CTBC, an update on where we are in the process and an overview of the draft goals and priorities from the survey completed by teachers.
 
Over 5,000 members attended the TTH representing approximately 10 per cent of the membership. Following the meeting, 263 voice messages were left.
 
If you missed the TTH, listen to the recording here.
 
What happens next?
Teacher Employment Services executive staff officers are connecting with the members who had questions in the voice messages they left. A summary of the calls is being shared with the CTBC as they continue with the mandate creation phase, which will culminate with the creation of the central matters initial proposal. The goal is for the initial proposal to be completed and exchanged with the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association before the end of the school year.
 
Those survey respondents indicating interest in participating in focused conversations have been contacted, and the groups are being formulated to ensure a representative and manageable number of participants. The focused conversations are scheduled for April 16–18, 2024.
 
Webcasts are tentatively scheduled for April 23, 2024, at 4 pm and 7 pm, to share more information regarding potential proposals that could appear on the initial proposal. The CTBC will be hosting these sessions to ensure that they understand the aspirations and convictions of members.
 
WORTH SHARING
If you missed the telephone town hall on March 20, 2024, click here to listen. More engagement opportunities are coming later in April where members will be able to provide feedback on potential proposals. It is crucial that members stay connected and have their say so that the initial proposal is reflective of their aspirations and convictions. Keep an eye out for Bargaining Updates to stay connected and informed. #WEAREATA