6 ❚ The ATA News , February 3, 2026
ATA event connects, supports school leaders at every stage
Chris Gonsalvez ATA News Staff S chool leaders from across the province gathered on January 19 and 20 for Leadership Essentials and the Educational Leadership Academy, a professional development event hosted by the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Designed for both school- based and central office leaders, the conference provided a vital space for professional learning and collaboration. This event was uniquely structured to support educational leaders at every career stage. It featured two distinct streams: Leadership Essentials was for those new to administrative roles, and the Educational Leadership Academy offered experienced leaders the opportunity to deepen their practice. While sessions covered a wide range of operational strategies, the
conference focused on the well-being of the people behind the titles. Keynote sessions centered on compassionate leadership and leader mental health, acknowledging the significant emotional weight carried by school leaders in today’s educational climate. During the event, participants were also able to customize their experience through a diverse selection of breakout sessions tailored to specific leadership challenges. The event balanced intensive learning with intentional community building, creating an opportunity for participants to connect with and learn from fellow leaders across Alberta. As these leaders return to their schools and offices, they bring with them new frameworks for leading with empathy and refreshed strategies for maintaining healthy, sustainable school environments for staff and students alike.
CHRIS GONSALVEZ
Leadership Essentials participants learning together in a breakout session
New ad campaign calls for progress, not promises
Don’t click the bait
Lindsay Yakimyshyn ATA News Managing Editor It’s time for real, measurable improvements in Alberta classrooms. That’s the core message of a new advertising campaign that the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has launched. Titled “Progress, not promises,” the ads will be appearing on radio, television, movie theatre screens, social media and billboards. “For years, teachers have heard promises about new schools, more teachers and additional supports for students,” said Chris Gonsalvez, the ATA staff officer who oversaw the ad’s creative development. “But now it is time for accountability.What is actually being done to help Alberta students succeed?” The campaign highlights concrete outcomes that teachers want to see. These include tangible and observable reductions in class size, meaningful wraparound supports for students and
active strategies to address classroom complexity. Also being called for is transparent and sufficient funding, with per-student spending that at least matches the national average. “Progress isn’t about announcements; it’s about what students experience every day,” said Gonsalvez. “This campaign calls for progress to ensure that Alberta’s public education system is no longer the least funded per student.” Designed to spark public discussion and hold policymakers accountable for translating promises into tangible results, the campaign aims for the government to prioritize resources and examine practices to make a meaningful difference for teachers and students. “The government has expressed promises and commitments to students and education in this province,” said Gonsalvez. “We hope that this campaign brings attention to the need for progress through tangible actions and policies to reflect those promises.”
S ince the strike, teachers across the province are increasingly becoming targets of online harassment campaigns driven by bloggers and podcasters who falsely accuse educators of “indoctrination” for doing nothing more than teaching the mandated curriculum. These groups attempt to manufacture outrage and personal attacks. I know this from experience, as I am often the target of such posts. The goal is not accountability or transparency, but intimidation: to make teachers fearful of doing their jobs. The word “indoctrination” is used to stir anger, not to describe what is actually happening in classrooms. Teachers are required by law to follow the curriculum set by the government. They do not decide what students must learn.When a teacher explains history, health or social issues that appear in the curriculum, conspiracy bloggers turn that into proof of wrongdoing. They take lessons out of context and spread false stories to attract attention and clicks. Even more troubling is the minister of education and the premier choosing to publicly weigh in on individual classroom situations. When elected government officials intervene in matters involving a single teacher, they blur the line between political
theatre and professional oversight. This is not leadership; it is escalation. By repeating or amplifying claims originating from partisan bloggers known for misinformation, they lend institutional legitimacy to stories that should have been dismissed outright or left to legitimate processes that school boards have in place to investigate alleged incidents. This amplification effect is powerful. When the province’s highest offices echo allegations rooted in distortion and speculation, those allegations gain traction regardless of their accuracy. What might begin as fringe commentary suddenly carries the weight of authority. Speaking from experience, the result is reputational damage and increased harassment. It also creates a chilling effect on classrooms where teachers should feel safe to teach openly and students should feel safe to learn. Elected public officials have a responsibility to protect the integrity of public education, not undermine it for political advantage. Teachers deserve due process, professional respect and freedom from mob-style scrutiny driven by online outrage. Conspiracy theories thrive in environments where facts are ignored and fear is rewarded. Governments should not be feeding that cycle.
STORIES AND PHOTOS WANTED If something newsworthy is going on in your school, district or local, please let us know. We will also consider articles, photos and cartoons. Please email tips and submissions to managing editor Lindsay Yakimyshyn: lindsay.yakimyshyn@ata.ab.ca.
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator