The ATA News , October 14, 2025 ❚ 5
Teacher–parent navigates strike action
Lindsay Yakimyshyn ATA News Managing Editor F or Oralia Hernandez, October 6 was a heavy day. It was the first day of the teachers’ strike, one she faced not only as a teacher, but also as a parent. Hernandez was already feeling the weight of uncertainty that has affected teachers, parents and students since the strike notice was issued in September. But the first day of job action was hard. “It just feels so surreal,” said Hernandez, a junior high teacher with 17 years of experience. “It was also hard to say goodbye to my students. My kids were having to say goodbye to their friends.” The strike carries added tension for Hernandez’s family. Her daughter, a Grade 12 student, is beginning her postsecondary applications, and the uncertainty of school closures has her worried. “She’s worried about her diplomas, what impact this will have,” Hernandez said. “She’s asking about what’s going to happen next.” Hernandez knows that school provides not only academic and extracurricular activities, but also stability for many students. “It’s heartbreaking because we know that a lot of these kids need those connections. School is their safe place,” she said. Despite seeing the pressures the strike is placing on students and families, including her own, Hernandez says teachers did not make this decision lightly. It was a last resort. She reflected on years of deteriorating conditions, growing class sizes and mounting pressures on teachers. “Teachers are committed to their students, and this is why we’re in this
Edmonton teacher Oralia Hernandez
YOUR VIEWS Teachers shared the little (and big!) ways they’re showing up for their colleagues during the strike to stay connected.
place now, why we chose to exercise job action,” she said. “We want to be there for all of our students, your kids. But it’s just not sustainable.The system has deteriorated to the point where we had no choice.” Having taught overseas, Hernandez has long been proud of Alberta’s public education system, and it worries her to see its erosion. For Hernandez, this strike is about more than policy or contracts. It is about standing up for the future of public education, for her students and for her own children. Despite the challenges of being part of this historical moment, Hernandez remains hopeful and wants students to know they are and will be supported to ensure they are not left behind. “The public is supporting teachers, people are behind us and our kids will be okay,” she said. “At the end of the day, we will all be there to help and support our students.”
Natasha Gillman-Oltmanns I am hosting an Epic Star Wars Night for all of my teacher colleagues’ kids, my “nieces and nephews”. I feel their knowledge of the Force is woefully lacking, and it is my duty to educate them. Tracy Evelyn Breakfast this morning and a visit to our strike office in town. Leah Durrant Our staff is very connected at all times! Many of us have worked together for over 15 years. We have open communication and offer each other safe spaces. We share memes, recipes and inspiration. Zan Pinsky Went for a walk with my coworkers today! Lee Porath Spending way too much time on social media and talking with everyone. Dave Thiara Going to MLA office on Wednesday to forward the plight of education...also, making the phone call to Premier Smith tomorrow (missed chance today).
Lindsay Elizabeth Organizing hangouts and texting in our group chat! A few teacher friends and I are having pizza and movie nights. Chelsea Wassing School staff WhatsApp group. Sharing pics and updates. Andrea Ellis Daily team check ins! Social get togethers! Audra Schneider Meeting with my MLA. Caleb Koning We are intentional about getting together.Time for sharing stories even though we don’t have school. Lisa Whitson Organizing activities with coworkers so we feel community but are not spending money. Landen Blize Started a D&D club for my colleagues. Kate Hiller We had lunch together today at a coworker’s house! Everyone brought something.
Research confirms Alberta teachers are experiencing high workload, stress
Phil McRae, ATA Associate Coordinator, Research
TALIS results also show that teachers are needing to spend an increasing amount of instructional time addressing behavioural issues in the classroom. Other data from the study signal that teachers in the province have experienced a sharp decline in how they feel valued by policymakers. Only 13 per cent of Alberta respondents felt their views are respected by the government. Further analysis of the TALIS report will be shared with members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association and policymakers over the coming weeks to paint a picture of what teachers are experiencing in Alberta. TALIS is the largest international educator survey in the world, surveying over 280,000 teachers and school leaders across 55 education systems. Alberta is the only Canadian jurisdiction that participated in TALIS 2024, and Alberta’s results reflect a sampling of 1,800 participants. TALIS 2024 noted lower participation rates in Alberta this year, so the results must be interpreted with this in mind.
Lisa Everitt, ATA Executive Staff Officer R ecently released results from the 2024 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) confirm what teachers are saying: the profession in Alberta is under pressure. The results from the most recent iteration of the TALIS show that Alberta teachers are experiencing the highest levels of occupational stress out of the 50 participating countries. Forty-two per cent of Alberta teachers report experiencing high levels of work-related stress, with the global average at just 19 per cent. Alberta teachers also rank near the top in the world for highest weekly work hours. The data show that Alberta teachers work 47 hours per week, which is behind only Japan, New Zealand and Singapore and is, on average, five hours more per week than all other countries.
FOR THE RECORD Investing in Alberta’s future means we invest in the classrooms that support the majority of Alberta’s students, and taking public dollars away from them to fund private institutions is a disingenuous use of taxpayer funds. — Meagan Parisian, vice-president of the Alberta School Councils’ Association, to Postmedia on a petition regarding public funding for private schools
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