Member Services

 

Member Services assists teachers with professional problems and employment issues.  Staff at Barnett House (1-800-232-7208) and the Southern Alberta Regional Office (265-2672) respond to teachers facing such problems as transfer, termination and professional relations with colleagues, and provide legal advice and assistance.  Member Services staff are also responsible for monitoring the professional conduct of members in accordance with the Discipline Bylaws.  As well, they provide organizational assistance to locals and operate training programs for local officials and school representatives.

Termination, Suspension, Transfer, Evaluation

Teachers who are dissatisfied with a proposed transfer or who are threatened with suspension from their duties or termination of either an administrative designation or a contract of employment have certain rights under The School Act.  Member Services staff will provide explanations of these rights and will assist to ensure that contractual rights are not violated. Any developing problems that teachers perceive, including threats of legal action, should be discussed with a Staff Officer in Member Services as soon as possible and before the teacher agrees to any course of action.  The publication, Teachers' Rights, Responsibilities and Legal Liabilities, is recommended reading for all members.

Teachers are also encouraged to seek advice concerning problems related to practice review. These may arise from the evaluation policies and procedures of school boards or from a complaint submitted to the registrar of the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards. (see the Practice Review of Teachers Regulation in the Legislation Handbook.)

Professional Relations

Members may call upon the Association for assistance with problems with fellow members, school boards, parents and/or the community.  Assistance may take for form of a workshop (Working Together), conciliation, direct intervention, a professional relations review, or, possibly, a professional relations commission.  Staff will help provide access to these services.  Requests for investigations must be received the Executive Secretary no later than April 15.

Discipline of Members

All teachers are expected to abide by the Code of Professional Conduct.  Alleged breaches may be reported to the Association by members or by non-members.  Member Services is responsible for conducting investigations into possible unprofessional conduct and for presenting information about possible instances of unprofessional conduct to a hearing by members of the Professional Conduct Committee.  More information about these procedures is available in the Orientation Handbook or by contacting the Coordinator of Member Services.  Members should also refer to the Code of Professional Conduct and the Discipline Bylaws of the Association.