World Teachers' Day

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WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

2012.10.05 Premier Alison Redford’s favourite teacher [Jean Czaja’s encouragement] allowed me to think an awful lot about who I wanted to be when I grew up. She certainly made us all believe that everything we wanted to do was possible.”

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lberta premier Alison Redford’s favourite teacher told her she could accomplish anything she set her mind to.

Jean Czaja, Redford’s Grade 6 teacher at Maple Ridge Elementary School in Calgary, “was a very interesting woman,” Redford recalls. “She was very distinguished. She always dressed beautifully and impeccably.

She used to hold us to a very high standard—she always expected more from us. And she was always supportive.”

Redford appreciated that support from her first teacher in Canada. “I had been overseas [and] she seemed to understand it was going to be a tough situation for me.”

Czaja “had a tremendous ability to identify our strengths, to support us and to really get us thinking about what our futures would be,” says Redford. When the class was discussing future careers, “someone stood up and said, ‘When I grow up, I’d like to be this kind of a person.’ Mrs Czaja looked at us all and said, ‘You can already be that kind of a person.’” Redford’s former classmates still talk with one another about their teacher, who got them “to be accountable for our actions and to start thinking about how we wanted to form our future.” Czaja’s encouragement, says Redford, “allowed me to think an awful lot about who I wanted to be when I grew up. She certainly made us all believe that everything we wanted to do was possible.”

Czaja’s professionalism was also a model for Redford. “I was in Grade 6 in 1976. That was a different time,” she recalls. “That was still a time when you could look at a woman who was in a profession, and learn that women could be professionals. … In terms of her professional conduct, the way that she worked, [Mrs Czaja] was someone that I looked up to, because she was an incredibly capable professional

Altario’s finest Five decades of service to Alberta’s students B y E a r l J Wo o d s

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ttilia Baier—affectionately called Tilly by her friends and colleagues—concluded 52 years of science and mathematics teaching this summer. Of those years, 45 were spent at Altario School in east-central Alberta, just this side of the border with her native Saskatchewan.

Born in Macklin, Saskatchewan, in the late 1930s, Baier has had first-hand experience of decades of evolution in education.

But it didn’t always come easy. She attended a one-room school for her first nine grades and found the transition to high school dif-

PHOTO: government of alberta

alberta Premier Alison Redford

woman.”

Czaja, who retired in 1990, remembers Redford as “a brilliant young woman and wise beyond her years.” She says, “[Alison] was really intelligent, self-motivated and a go-getter. She held fairly strong opinions on things. I remember the political ideas she had, which were unusual in one so young.

She had aspirations politically—she wanted to be a leader.”

If there’s anything Czaja (who taught in Calgary, Winnipeg, New Orleans and Mississauga) wanted to impart to Redford and her many other students, it was a love of learning. “If you love what you do, success will come easily,” says Czaja, who has stayed busy since her retirement as the founder and artistic director of Westside Children’s Choir in Calgary.

It seems that Redford has taken her former teacher’s advice to heart. A human rights lawyer, she has been active in both provincial and national politics since the 1980s, and she encourages political engagement from students, parents and all Albertans.

“One of the things that’s been so much fun for me in the past year has been to see so many kids who have been engaged in watching the political process. It’s been a lot of fun to go to schools and community events, and see parents and students engaged and thinking about the future.”

ficult. She was failing Grade 10 until the principal took her under his wing. He even personally registered Baier at the University of Saskatchewan, where she earned her education degree.

According to Baier, “His encouragement placed an onus on me to do everything I can for any student who will accept assistance.”

Since the dawn of her teaching career in 1958, Baier has done exactly that—in many cases, mentoring three generations of Altario families. And she’s seen profound changes during her five decades of teaching—from advancing technology to shifting cultural attitudes.

“I just entered the teaching profession around the time that more and more students began to complete high school in rural areas instead of quitting in Grade 11 or 12,” Baier explains. “Lots of kids left school before graduating because they could get a good job at the bank, for example, with just their Grade 11.”

Now even a high school diploma isn’t enough, Baier says. These days a postsecondary education is almost essential for most students—a phenomenon that has led, in her mind, to greater social equality.

“When I started, teachers were looked on

World Teachers’ Day:

what’s it all about?

Since its inception in 1994 , World Teachers’ Day has been recognized across the globe through activities ranging from students writing letters to their favourite teachers to national holidays in some countries – the world community has been showing its appreciation for the vital contributions that teachers make to society.

On October 5, 1966, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Labour Organization signed the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers. In 1993, to commemorate the importance of the recommendation, UNESCO designated October 5 as World Teachers’ Day. On World Teachers’ Day, it is also important to recognize how fortunate we are to have one of the best public education systems in the world. Unfortunately, in some countries, children are still being denied basic schooling and teachers are working in trying circumstances. That’s why Alberta’s teachers provide international assistance and send teachers every summer to share their skills and knowledge with teachers in less fortunate situations.

This year, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation selected the theme, “Take a Stand for Teachers” as a call to society and policy makers to support and respect teachers in these times of austerity measures which, in many cases, have taken a toll on public education, students and teachers around the world.

Today the world celebrates the accomplishments and the important work teachers do every day in classrooms.

Say “thanks” to a teacher who has made a difference in your life or in the lives of your children, or visit www.5oct.org to send a World Teachers’ Day e-card.

with more respect and that information on the esteem; I might have been Web is correct, and it’s the second or third person just as important not to in town with a degree. overburden students Nowadays you’re just with too much informaanother human being as tion,” she notes. far as people are conThough she has cerned, and I think that’s retired to her ranch near change for the better. No Altario, Baier still stands matter where you are these ready to mentor studays, there are a lot of welldents and young teachPHOTO: taylor forrester educated people, and ers (as long as doing so Tilly Baier retired this summer after teachers are just regular won’t take work from 52 years of teaching science and mathematics. folks like anyone else.” substitute teachers). She Classroom tools have says, “There are so many also changed. The blackboard and chalk, things to be grateful for. I think of the parpotent symbols of public education, have ents and students who supported me uncongiven way to Smart Boards, interactive ditionally and gave me their respect, [and] whiteboards that would have seemed like my coworkers, administrators and board something out of a science fiction novel ear- members who treated me kindly and with lier in Baier’s career. encouragement. I had the best students in Perhaps the biggest change has been the the world and very good parents. I owe a treease with which teachers and students can mendous debt to all who allowed me to access information. Baier remembers how touch their lives.” she and her fellow teachers agonized over The thousands of math and science stuwhether the school’s budget had room for dents who benefited from Tilly Baier’s menencyclopedias; now, she says, everything is at torship surely consider that debt paid in full, your fingertips. with interest. May she enjoy a long, happy “Of course, you want to make sure that all and rewarding retirement.

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Take a stand for teachers WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

2012.10.05

Alberta teacher volunteers in program to assist African counterparts

“Wilde” math class has outstanding results

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n Doug Wilde’s classroom, math is lively and loud.

A veteran math teacher at Calgary’s Western Canada High School, Wilde believes that today’s students need two things: “One is the ability to be somewhat active. The other is that they are really visual learners. They need to see something in front of them to really be engaged in what they’re doing.” Most important, students need to “become part of the learning. They can’t just be sitting there receiving information—they’ve got to be able to generate a lot of that information themselves.”

Wilde’s classroom reflects his beliefs about student learning. “Kids in my classroom are used to constantly moving around the room discussing a problem. The model really supports collaborative learning.”

Technology plays an important role in how Wilde presents his lessons. A tablet computer, for instance, allows him to randomize the class seating plan. “With the click of a button I can have the whole class sitting with a new learning group.”

The learning groups are key. There are four students per learning group, and they work together to come up with solutions to the day’s objectives, such as an activity sheet, a question with a real-world application or an algebraic problem. Wilde asks students to move several times, not just during one class period but also during one problem set. This way, students get “a perspective from a completely different group, with three new

Doug Wilde (second from right) teaches math at Calgary’s Western Canada High School using a collaborative and active approach to problem solving.

people.” Usually, two or three students “have an in-depth knowledge” of what is being taught. Through moving those students around the room, that knowledge goes “viral,” as Wilde puts it.

Technology also allows Wilde to record lessons. “If I’m doing an example or a series of examples, I can upload [them] onto the Internet,” he says. “Kids that miss my class or that want to review a lesson can access any of these on a computer at home, on a smartphone or on a tablet. It’s really handy.” When some of his students went to Los Angeles on a band trip, they were able to jump onto the Internet at their hotel and watch a math lesson they had missed. When they returned to Calgary, they fit seamlessly back into the class.

Wilde, who has been teaching math for 23 years, has used this unorthodox method in his classroom for the past six years. “I have a bias here—I would say the results are outstanding,” he says. “Low performers generally perform higher than they otherwise would, and high performers perform at or above the level achieved previously.”

At the same time, Wilde doesn’t want to imply that a traditional teaching style is not as effective. “We as teachers at Western Canada High School teach in all sorts of ways, and they are all tremendously effective,” he says.

www.epsb.ca

Celebrate World Teachers’ Day October 5

Solutions at Work Proud lawyers for the Alberta Teachers’ Association

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We believe that our District’s most crucial work happens in the classroom.

Every day, Edmonton Public Schools’ teachers help students develop the ability, passion and imagination to pursue their dreams.

hile Alberta schools are increasingly equipped with modern technologies such as interactive whiteboards and laptops, some classrooms in developing countries consist of nothing more than the shade beneath a tree and a shared textbook.

Seeing the conditions under which her counterparts in Africa teach has inspired Millet junior high school teacher Charlene Saunders to return for a fourth summer as a volunteer with Project Overseas, a program of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF).

“They face so many difficulties and struggles—lack of resources, lack of training, poor living conditions, very large classrooms,” Saunders says. “Some haven’t even been paid in a while.”

Project Overseas sends Canadian teachers to provide professional assistance to fellow teachers in developing countries.

Travel and living expenses are covered by contributions from CTF members, includ-

The challenge for us is to remember what they’re doing without.

Some have a tree to teach under and that’s about it.” charlene saunders

ing the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

Saunders, who teaches science and physical education at Griffiths-Scott Middle School, has spent two summers in Nigeria and one in Uganda working with teachers in those countries who then train other teachers in their areas. This summer, Saunders is returning to Uganda, where she will have the opportunity to follow up with the teachers she helped train last summer.

“The challenge for us is to remember what they’re doing without. Some have a tree to teach under and that’s about it. contin u ed on pag e 3

PHOTO: charlene saunders

Charlene Saunders (in back) has spent two summers in Nigeria and one in Uganda working with local teachers. Project Overseas sends Canadian teachers to provide professional assistance to fellow teachers in developing countries.

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Take a stand for teachers WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

The 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award recipients Twenty-three of Alberta’s top educators were honoured with 2012 Excellence in Teaching Awards in Calgary on May 26

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PHOTO: ALBERTA EDUCATION

Back row (L-R): Pamela Bates, Dean Hawkins, Jason Rasmussen, Valerie Gondek, Gayle Monsma, Gayla Moore, Kenneth Garinger, Gary Thoreson Middle row (L-R): Kristy Martens, Danielle Spencer, Gilles Robert, Laura Tapson, Jennifer Turner, Judith McIntyre, Lynelle Pierzchalski, Colette Pedde, David Khatib Front row (L-R): Douglas Romanchuk, Darlene Kusick, Chad Elford (SMART Technologies), Christine Cusanelli, Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation (representing Minister of Education, Jeff Johnson), Jason Orbaugh (SMART Technologies), Susanna Nigro-Vecchio, Aaron Dublenko and Colin Veldkamp.

Missing: Stephanie Bennett.

2012 provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards recipients Pamela Bates – Saddle Ridge School, Calgary Kristy Martens – Westmount Charter School, Calgary Lynelle Pierzchalski – F.E. Osborne School, Calgary Danielle Spencer – Westmount Charter School, Calgary Gary Thoreson – Bishop Grandin High School, Calgary Stephanie Bennett – Cochrane High School, Cochrane Jason Rasmussen – Drumheller Valley Secondary School, Drumheller Aaron Dublenko – Queen Elizabeth School, Edmonton Susanna Nigro-Vecchio – St. Paul Catholic School, Edmonton Doug Romanchuk – M.E. LaZerte School, Edmonton Valerie Gondek – Thickwood Heights School, Fort McMurray Laura Tapson – Mother Teresa Catholic School, Grande Prairie

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Forget about copiers and other equipment we take for granted. Some of our technology, such as whiteboards, is way beyond what they’ve heard of. There is little computer use, and frequent problems with electricity.”

While her work is primarily with teachers, Saunders says the opportunity to interact with students is a highlight of each trip. “Unfortunately, a lot of children are not in school. Teachers are trying to get education to all, but it’s still a struggle. Fees pose a problem. Considering families often have many children, they sometimes have to choose which of their children get educated.”

There can be as many as 80 students of widely varying ages in a class, Saunders says. The students are equipped with notebooks and pencils, but a whole class may have to share a single textbook.

Gayle Monsma – Covenant Christian School, Leduc Dean Hawkins – Galbraith School, Lethbridge Darlene Kusick – École Olds Elementary School, Olds Gayla Moore – Olds High School, Olds David Khatib – St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School, Red Deer Colette Pedde – Mattie McCullough Elementary School, Red Deer Judith McIntyre – Our Lady of the Rosary School, Sylvan Lake Kenneth Garinger – County Central High School, Vulcan

SMART Technologies Innovative Use of Technology Awards recipients Jennifer Turner – Sir John A. Macdonald School, Calgary Gilles Robert – École Notre-Dame des Monts, Canmore Colin Veldkamp – Harry Ainlay High School, Edmonton

“Being involved with Project Overseas is an amazing experience,” Saunders says. “It teaches us a lot about education and teaching, and about perseverance and making do with what you have.”

The primary goal of the program is to provide the tools and training that will enable host organizations— usually local teachers’ unions—to continue their own training and professional development programs, Saunders says.

“Our focus is on empowering them so that once we leave they can continue on their own.”

Host organizations are very appreciative. “They welcome us with open arms and take good care of us. It’s very heartwarming.”

Saunders says the program provides teachers with an opportunity not only to experience another culture but also to get to know teachers from other parts of Canada. This year she is working as leader of a team of four teachers—two from Alberta, one from Ontario and one from Newfoundland.

Celebrating World Teachers’ Day October 5 The College of Alberta School Superintendents salutes Alberta teachers for enabling students to become engaged thinkers and ethical citizens with an entrepreneurial spirit!

Thank you for helping to make Alberta’s education system one of the best in the world. CASS looks forward to continuing to explore new ways of working and learning together for the benefit of all students.

College of Alberta School Superintendents

algary-Buffalo MLA Kent Hehr is well suited to his long-time role as education critic for the Alberta Liberals.

“I loved public school,” Hehr says. “Most of the students in my neighbourhood walked to school together, building a great sense of community. We came from various backgrounds and histories, but our teachers always ensured that we played and shared and learned together.”

One of those teachers was Rick Noble, Hehr’s Grade 8 English teacher at Calgary’s F. E. Osborne Junior High.

“Back in those days I was a little PHOTO: alberta liberal caucus rambunctious,” Kent Hehr is an MLA for Hehr admits. “In Calgary-Buffalo and education fact, I could be a critic for the Alberta Liberals. bit of a pain in the behind for my teachers. But Mr. Noble kept me in line without losing his temper. ‘Take it easy, Kent,’ or ‘Kent, you’re better than that,’ he’d say. He challenged me to do better, and I respected the way he never lost his cool.”

Hehr describes Noble as engaging and funny and a man who always kept the best interest of the students at heart.

“He’d open up conversations by asking how I was doing outside school, how I was performing on the hockey or baseball team. And then he’d quickly pivot to the classroom— ‘How’s that homework coming along?’ I discovered that I didn’t want to let him down.”

Hehr says that thanks to Noble he learned a great deal about becoming a better writer and reader, and about his fellow students.

“Mr. Noble treated everyone with respect.

He helped us understand that we students weren’t all alike, but we were in it together,” Hehr says. “That’s the glory of the public school system—the way it celebrates diversity and builds communities at the same time.”

When asked to summarize his feelings about Noble, Hehr responded succinctly: “He was an average guy doing an extraordinary job in the classroom. I’m very grateful for his impact on my life.”

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Take a stand for teachers WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

Brick by brick How one Edmonton teacher uses Lego to build knowledge B y E a r l J Wo o d s

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hildren today have a seemingly innate ability to use the technology that surrounds them, often outstripping their parents’ skills when it comes to navigating smartphones, tablets, PVRs and computers. To many adults, it often seems as though kids know more about cutting-edge technology than we do. How can today’s teachers connect with children who are growing up in the digital era?

According to Mike Somkuti, a young teacher of science and career and technology studies (CTS) at Monsignor Fee Otterson Elementary/Junior High School in Edmonton, you connect by building bridges—in his case, bridges made from plastic Lego bricks.

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For Somkuti, it’s not enough that students know how to use technology; he’s teaching them how technology works.

And to accomplish that mission, he’s using a beloved child’s toy not only to help students understand technology but also to help them discover their own talents and aptitudes.

Somkuti’s tools include Lego Mindstorms robotics kits, which he uses to teach problem solving and the logic of computer programming to Grades 7 and 8 students. Students first assemble the kits—with or without the instruction booklet, depending on their aptitude and the complexity of the kit— and then experiment with the associated software to program the finished robots to perform simple tasks.

“The software, a graphic programming language, helps students understand how computers think,” Somkuti explains. “They learn the logic of if-then statements, for example. If they program something and they try the robot out, they see that robot do the thing they programmed in the real world, which is much more gratifying than just seeing a line of code change.”

Somkuti describes Lego as the window he uses to introduce students to the fundamentals of technology, but it doesn’t stop there; he also teaches students to use more sophisticated programming languages, such as Kodu, which is used to program Microsoft’s Xbox video game system. One assignment challenges students to achieve certain goals in virtual amusement parks while working within Kodu’s limitations, and Somkuti has been delightfully surprised by the results: “Sometimes they even surpass the teacher. I remember one girl who initially showed no interest in computers. She made this extremely sophisticated, multilevelled program where one character would walk through this magical kingdom and then she’d disappear and end up somewhere else. . . . I don’t know how she did it, but she did. It was really, really neat to see.”

How do students respond to the robotics kits and programming exercises? CTS is a mandatory class at Monsignor Fee Otterson, Somkuti explains, so naturally some students love it while others

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view our video tribute to teachers at cbe.ab.ca

2012.10.05

PHOTO: mike somkuti

Kids that struggle in other classes can excel in Lego robotics, and they can become leaders. They can really shine in these classes.” mike somkuti, teacher monsignor fee otterson elementary/ junior high school

are less enthusiastic.

“Kids that struggle in other classes can excel in Lego robotics, and they can become leaders,” Somkuti says. “They can really shine in these classes.” And he notes that the student who programmed a magical kingdom in Kodu may have never discovered her aptitude for computers had CTS not been mandatory.

Somkuti’s methods work at younger grade levels, as well.

He relates the tale of a Grade 4 student working with a standard, non-robotic Lego kit: “This kid—who can barely write a sentence, who has struggles expressing his learning in that way—tells me how he’s building an elastic band car, and how this car was going to convert potential energy that’s stored in the elastic band into kinetic energy to make the car move. He used those words! That’s the power of giving a student the right tools to show their learning.”

“It’s awesome to see kids who struggle in other subjects light up and become leaders in their own classrooms,” Somkuti adds.

Ultimately, Lego is merely a tool Somkuti uses to achieve his primary goal.

“My job as a teacher is to prepare students for the world and their future,” Somkuti says. “That’s why I want them to understand how this technology works. Ultimately, my goal is to make them less passive users of technology and more active users of technology. I’m giving them tools that they’re going to be able to use for the rest of their lives.”

Can we talk?

Some students carry a heavy load—and it’s not always the books in their backpacks.

One in five students in Alberta are affected by mental illness. Their success depends on support and having people to talk to.

Alberta’s teachers understand that they, along with students’ friends and family, are part of that support system. Teachers know that students’ health needs must be met before they can learn.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Canadian Mental Health Association are working together to raise awareness and funds to support children’s mental health.

We’re ready to talk and we hope you are too.

Together, we can help lighten hten the load.

Working g together for children children’ss mental health

www.canwetalk.ca

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2012.10.05

Pairing students with seniors a winning strategy Innovative school program links generations B y Jacq u e l i n e Lo u i e

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riendship. Laughter. Building bridges between generations.

That’s what one high school program in Calgary is all about.

Through SKIP (Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Program), 35 students from Western Canada High School have been paired with 17 residents of the Fountains of Mission Retirement Residence. SKIP was created three years ago by Dev Drysdale, the high school’s guidance counsellor.

“Our students embraced the idea of giving back to the community,” explains teacher and off-campus learning leader Liza Bennett, who oversees and coordinates SKIP. Bennett has taught with the Calgary Board of Education since 1974. She took over SKIP’s directorship two years ago, after Drysdale retired. SKIP is “a win-win situation,” she says, adding: “We

need to have young people getting close to older people, because it restores a sense of community. It’s not only about kids making a difference in seniors’ lives. The seniors, with their experience and wisdom, have taught so many things to our kids.” Seniors and students participate in many collaborative and fun activities coordinated by Bennett and Jo Parker, the Fountains of Mission activity director.

Activities include watching and discussing movies, doing crafts, and going for walks and out to restaurants. The seniors have taught the students strategy games and card games, including bridge.

“We all need to make connections,” Bennett says. SKIP “adds to longevity for the seniors, and to greater appreciation for the teens.

We have formed really great friendships. At SKIP, we laugh a lot. You know the kids are in the building.

Everybody, from staff to residents, says: ‘It’s our lovely kids from Western.’ Everybody comes up feeling really joyful, including me. I can’t wait to get over there!”

Ben Pantony, 18, and Hunter

same experience that we’ve had.

I’ve enjoyed this program so much.”

Brett is heading to the University of Calgary this fall, where he will study geology and play varsity soccer. He plans to continue visiting Grayson “to keep that bond with her. She is such an amazing person.

She gives back so much to everyone around her, with her wisdom, knowledge and warm personality.

Everyone around her is always in a good mood.”

Brett, Pantony and the many students who participate in SKIP “will always remember this experience,” Bennett says. “Our kids have compassionate hearts that go beyond their own self-interest. And that’s what I love about intergenerational programs—everybody wins. The students learn so much from the people who have gone before them.”

“I find it extremely rewarding and touching. When I see the affection and the love that is born of this relationship, I just beam. These are the best extracurriculars I’ve ever done.”

PHOTO: liza bennett

Magdalena, Ben and Hunter enjoy time together through SKIP (Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Program).

Brett, 17, who graduated from Western Canada High School in June, began volunteering with SKIP last fall. They visited Fountains of Mission every second Friday, spending time with Magdalena Grayson, who turned 100 this spring.

“I wanted to learn from other peoples’ lifestyles and expand my horizons. I wanted to give back to

Creating classrooms where indigenous children belong T Photo: Rod Leland

Faculty members from the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education and the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate Regional Division teachers work together to ensure the integration of FNMI content and perspective across curriculum.

the community,” says Pantony, who has his sights set on playing rugby and studying to become a pilot at the Royal Military College of Canada, in Kingston. “SKIP has really taught me there are many different stages in life, and they are all just as enjoyable.”

Brett says, “It’s such a great program that should continue on for many years. Kids should have the

Many of us, including indigenous peoples, do not have a firm understanding of First Nations history and culture.” dr. cathy campbell, faculty member, university of lethbridge

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he communities of the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education and the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate Regional Division are equally blessed. Both are characterized by strong leadership, a desire to understand the current barriers to educational success for First Nations Metis and Inuit (FNMI) students, and a commitment to facilitating necessary change.

With 13 per cent of Holy Spirit’s student population coming from the Kainai and Piikani communities, “it is critical that our classrooms become places where indigenous children feel they belong,” explains Chris Smeaton, Superintendent of Schools.

In fact, the integration of FNMI content and perspective across curriculum has been under discussion for a decade within the context of Alberta Education’s FNMI Policy contin u ed on pag e 6

Grade 6 teacher Brian Jackson of Airdrie was one of 20 teachers across Alberta to receive a 2012 APEGA Teacher Award.

Give a teacher recognition.

Give a school $2,000.

Here in Alberta there are teachers who ignite a life-long passion for science and math among their students. APEGA wants to thank them for fostering the next generation of potential Professional Engineers and Geoscientists.

Nominate an outstanding teacher in your community for one of the 20 APEGA Teacher Awards presented annually.

Each recipient of an APEGA Teacher Award gets to spend $2,000 for further science and math education at their school.

Submit your nomination online today at www.apega.ca/ members/Awards/taward.html. Deadline for nominations is March 31, 2013.

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

www.apega.ca

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Indigenous children contin u ed from pag e 5

Framework (2002) and, most recently, the Memorandum of Agreement For First Nations Education in Alberta (2010).

“Many of us, including indigenous peoples, do not have a firm understanding of First Nations history and culture,” says faculty member, Dr. Cathy Campbell. “For this reason, FNMI content must be included in subjects across all grade levels so that another whole generation of Albertans doesn’t grow up without this knowledge.”

Under the leadership of Mary Anne Murphy, (MEd ‘05), FNMI division principal and Jamie Medicine Crane (BEd ‘04), lead teacher, Holy Spirit teachers have been actively involved in professional development opportunities enabling them to build rela-

tionships with students and families. In addition to learning about the history and culture of the Blackfoot peoples, “we are learning to respond appropriately to the needs of our students,” says Murphy.

During the course of laying the groundwork for these initiatives, Holy Spirit was offered a grant by Alberta Education, enabling them to further explore strategies that would enable teachers to more fully meet the varied needs of FNMI learners. As a result, senior administrators and principals visited the Kainai reserve and toured the schools. “We met with teachers and Kainai Board of Education representatives and spoke about the unique challenges facing our students,” Medicine Crane explains. With the Piikani nation, Holy Spirit collaboratively planned the Building Bridges Conference which took place on the reserve and welcomed parents and educators together as partners in education.

Our ASEBP team is

committed to providing the best in health services and benefits to those who make a difference to the growth of Alberta’s youth. We join education workers in celebrating World Teachers’ Day.

A L B E R TA S C H O O L E M P L O Y E E B E N E F I T P L A N

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2012.10.05

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit By caroline zentner

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I don’t expect to change the

s a kindergarten world, but I hope to make a student, Kelli McLarty remembers difference in one child’s life or be a going home crying, role model. I think going up north is “Mom, they say I’m not where I’ll be most influential.”

Inuk; I don’t get it.”

Living in the small Kelli McLarty town of Rankin Inlet McLarty grew up surrounded by Inuit culture.

She later came to understand that, even though she wasn’t born Inuk, she could still embrace the culture around her. She speaks Inuktitut, throat sings with other Inuk women, wears seal skin boots and is proud to be from Nunavut.

McLarty says she’s wanted to be a teacher ever since she was in kindergarten. She admired her teacher and wanted PHOTO courtesy kelli mclarty to be just like her when Kelli McLarty grew up in the small town of Rankin Inlet, she grew up. surrounded by Inuit culture. In her final year of studies at the University of Lethbridge, she is eager to teach and Now in her final year make a difference in the lives of her future students. of studies at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Education, ential. I can relate to every challenge the McLarty is working on a combined degree youth may face because I’ve been there, in education and kinesiology. She’s eager to too.” begin her career teaching youth in Nunavut.

McLarty strongly supports the Nunavut In high school McLarty saw the issues her government implementation of Inuit Qaujifriends faced. Some took their own lives, majatuqangit (IQ) values. Respect for the some became pregnant at a young age and land, sharing with others, and a strong sense others abused tobacco or alcohol. Her desire of community are all backbones of life in to make a difference in their lives led her the north – all reflected in these IQ values. straight to the U of L for education studies.

“It really means traditional Inuit know“I’ll definitely be a teacher as well as a ledge. We focus on principles like generoscoach,” she says. “I don’t expect to change ity, family, patience, strength, teamwork and the world, but I hope to make a difference being resourceful,” she says. in one child’s life or be a role model. I think Visit: gov.nu.ca/hr/site/beliefsystem.htm going up north is where I’ll be most influ-

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Take a stand for teachers WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

2012.10.05

Passionate teacher inspires Calgary poet and musician B y jacq u e l i n e lo u i e

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algary’s first Poet Laureate, Kris Demeanor, credits his favorite teacher for inspiring his lifelong love of music and performance.

Mr. Ferby — his Grade 4 home room teacher at Nellie McClung Elementary School in Calgary — gave Demeanor his first exposure to singing and performing.

“He displayed just so much passion and commitment to what he was doing,” says

Poem for Mr. Ferby,

Grade 4, Nellie McClung Elementary — Kris Demeanor — If in his favour, a child would become acquainted with the bowl of white mints If not — if a joker, disturbance, or even somewhat unlucky in character or acheivement, The prospect was more likely becoming familiar with the sting of the blue ruler that lurked at the back of the slide out shelf. Four smacks on the open hand I, a strong, respectful student, only questionable thing maybe the uneven cut of my bangs

Demeanor, 42, a born and raised Calgarian who has been a working singer-songwriter for about 15 years.

When teaching music, Ferby “would pound away at the piano as we sang along.

He really got the kids excited,” recalls Demeanor, who has performed around the world and is a fixture in Calgary’s spoken word, theatre and music scenes.

Ferby “affected me more than any other teacher, in a positive way. I liked the fact that he was so driven, and you felt this responsibility to do well because you wanted to please him. A teacher who can do that, is unique. He was able to focus my creative energy in a place where I was able to see a result that pleased me and that made me happy.”

PHOTO: adina currie

Kris Demeanor, Calgary’s Poet Laureate,credits his grade 4 teacher for inspiring him in his career as a singersongwriter.

Was on the receiving end of not only candy, but pineapple smelly stickers, and plum roles in school musicals I had never seen someone so purposefully punishing a piano- standing, bench pushed back, pounding like Jerry Lee, preacher like: Live goes on! Bra! La la, how the life goes on!

The young choir matching his energy and attack with volume- more shouting than singing, a punk rock Finally facing my Waterloo!

A new, visceral blast, this union of musical skill and abandon- in the future, I would relive the same kick of adrenalin going 200 km/hr on the Autobahn, smashing a cinder block with a sledge hammer, arguing with my spouse about the World Bank His God-backed passion shook my pantheism, the reverence in the way he showed us so carefully and respectfully how to break in our new red Bibles so the binding could be warmed up and cracked after being stacked compactly in a box “First in the middle- open and bend back the two halves. Now at the quarter point in the book. Quarter, Scott.......quarter. Now again at the three quarter part. Open and bend back.”

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednigo / Lived in Judah a long time ago They had funny names and they lived far away / But they set an example we can follow today.

I was Meshach, and we proud Jews would not bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol- we would only worhip our Lord. And as we were thrown into the fire, seven times hotter than normal, angels grabbed us before we burned to reward us for our faith in Him. This was where melody and discipline met, where I realized that music was what came out of the valve when necessity said ‘release the sanctimony and rage within’

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Since our year together in the open air circle of a very Seventies concept school, where oranges, browns and yellows mixed with light moss greens, I too have stomped and sweat for those who don’t know why they’re here.

Religion I look on still with fascination and horror But have not bowed to golden idols I am protected Even a little righteous And have, for the most part, dodged the ruler and gorged on mints.

To music, music teacher!

Thank you

for your dedication…

To commemorate World Teachers’ Day on October 5, the Calgary Catholic School District would like to celebrate and honour all district staff who, through their work, support the education of our students.

This year, our ATA Local 55 is celebrating a special milestone. For the past 75 years, the ATA has supported Calgary Catholic teachers and we would like to thank them for their work in cultivating a positive relationship between the district and our teachers.

For over 100 years Alberta’s Catholic Schools have been a fundamental and vital part of the publicly-funded education system in Alberta.

Educating over 143,000 students in over 375 schools in a faith-based setting, students in Alberta’s Catholic schools receive: • • • • •

Excellence in programming and educational options using the Program of Studies laid out by Alberta Education Academic excellence in provincial and national award winning schools Diverse and inclusive education Focus on Gospel values and Sacramental life Whole student education (academic, physical, and spiritual)

All of our employees can take pride in knowing that they have personally helped shape students’ lives and futures through their service and by their actions. It is the high expectations, professionalism and caring of each and every employee in the district that inspires excellence in our students and makes our district one of the top performers in the province.

From the school environment, to the curriculum, to extra-curricular activities, Catholic schools bring faith to life.

For more information on Catholic schools in your area, please contact your local Catholic school board office.

www.acsta.ab.ca

Living and Learning in our Catholic Faith www.cssd.ab.ca

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EDMON TON JOU R NA L edmontonjournal .com

Take a stand for teachers WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

Taking a stand for mental health

The Vermilion Elementary School “Superheroes” team participated in an Amazing Teacher Activity Race and wore hats in support of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s Hats on for Mental Health initiative.

2012.10.05

Sturgeon teachers host a dodgeball tournament called “Don’t dodge the truth on mental health” to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health.

Sturgeon Local teachers challenged colleagues to games of pool, darts and trivia to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

Triathlon troupers Timberline teachers volunteer in the Drayton Valley Triathlon in May while sporting colourful swim caps.

“On World Teachers’ Day we’re proud to recognize the thousands of Alberta teachers who are committed to inspiring a love for learning in every child. Each day, our teachers accept the responsibility of shaping the future of this province.”

ATA President Carol Henderson

Download the ATA app now by scanning the QR code