The ATA News , October 28, 2025 ❚ 5
YOUR VIEWS Teachers shared what has been the most meaningful way someone has shown up for them during the strike.
Alison Veldkamp A stranger asked if they could give me a hug in the grocery store because I was wearing my Red for Ed sweatshirt. Lee Bannister The most meaningful thing someone has done is my wife has let me game for hours without giving me a to-do list. Odessa Nguyen My neighbour and friends checking in on me and asking what they can do to help. Also, seeing parents and nonteachers at walks and rallies is really heartwarming. Jennifer Chow Friends checking in on me and the family. When I told someone I missed the students and missed work, a random stranger in the store, in conversation, replied “they miss you too. Just don’t give in and settle.” Public support is amazing. Katrina Elizabeth Community support has been incredible. Shoutout and thank you to all businesses, from gyms to restaurants to therapists, who have provided free or discounted items or sessions. Tanis Veronica My mom braved the crowds to join me at the McDougall Centre Rally in Calgary! Quinn Shelton A retired teacher in her 80s stopped me at advanced polls because she saw my ATA pin and gave me some money for groceries next month. Also told me to not back down and that we need to keep fighting until we get everything we’re asking for. To put it politely, she said that TEBA and our government need to get their eyes and ears checked because they have no clue what the reality is when it comes to our classrooms.
Nicole Frances Seeing our support staff all wearing red last week in solidarity. Julie Haynes-Kawchuk Our school’s parent community organized a teacher gathering at a park last week.They served us refreshments and sent us all home with lots of homemade meals and treats! Caleb Koning Parents of students I taught in the past who said, “you’re a good teacher, my kids loved you.” Katieeshay A grocery gift card from a family I taught 5 years ago. Teresaricc25 For me, it has been being able to pray together and attend mass with my fellow Catholic educators. Penny.like.the.coin My assistant principal texted to check in. Karli.n.bc Seeing support for us visibly has made such a huge difference for mental health. Lexigross Colleagues from other provinces showing support. Brianne Messing My neighbour who messaged me and asked me how she, as a parent, could support teachers. We are still getting to know one another, but it meant so much that she was willing to put in the work to support the strike too. It’s been a tough fight, but I’m grateful to have so many people coming together for me, and fight alongside all of us. Nina__divina Friends going for dinner and buying me dinner... and free movement classes at the gym! Kennfletcher Parents, without a doubt.
Rally sends a clear message as legislature resumes LINDSAY YAKIMYSHYN
Lindsay Yakimyshyn ATA News Managing Editor T ens of thousands of Alberta teachers, parents and community members from across the province gathered at the Alberta legislature grounds in Edmonton on Oct. 23 to send a clear message: public education matters and teachers’voices cannot be ignored. This rally—organized by Edmonton Public and Edmonton Catholic ATA locals—took place during the third week of the provincewide teachers’ strike, just as the government was opening the fall sitting of the legislature. The event featured powerful speeches, signs and chants that emphasized the urgent need to support Alberta’s public education system, teachers and students. During the rally, ATA president Jason Schilling said that teachers care too deeply about what is happening to public education to stay silent any longer. “What we’re doing here isn’t easy. Speaking truth to power rarely is,” he
said. “But sometimes you must stand up for what you believe in and for what’s right.And that moment is now.“ Since the strike action began, teachers have continued to demonstrate solidarity, stay connected and remain visible by gathering in locations across the province for rallies, wellness walks and other events. With the government signalling back-to-work legislation was forthcoming, the rally highlighted teachers’ determination to be heard and their commitment to ensuring that Alberta students have the resources and support they need to thrive. “That is what we are doing here today,” said Schilling. “We are reminding government and every school board that Alberta’s teachers will not be silenced, ignored or divided.” For Schilling—and many others participating—the event was both a statement of solidarity and a call for lasting change in the education system. “Alberta’s teachers and school leaders are standing up.We’re fighting for our students, for our classrooms and for one another,” he said.
LINDSAY YAKIMYSHYN
FOR THE RECORD
Premier Smith seems to be negotiating out of the ‘how-not-to-negotiate’ handbook.
— Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi in a livestream on Oct. 22 during which he and his caucus outlined NDP priorities for the fall sitting
Opinions expressed on this page represent the views of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online