Submitted
Executive members of Sturgeon ATA Local No. 27 accepted four provincial awards this year at the annual Alberta Teachers’ Association Summer Conference in Banff (Aug. 13 – 17). Four Public Relations and Political Engagement Awards are awarded to teacher locals across the province for their ability to engage members and communicate the importance of public education. Sturgeon ATA Local was awarded the Local Political Engagement Award, Best Program Award of Excellence in Local Public Relations, Ongoing Communications Award of Excellence and a Merit Award for Special Projects.
These awards recognize Sturgeon teachers as provincial leaders in two main areas: a focus on increasing awareness regarding the mental health of children and youth and a focus on increasing teacher communication. Award entries were judged by an independent panel of communications professionals with their decisions based on the criteria of work quality, clarity of goals and evidence of imagination and innovation.
Among many of the programs and activities organized this past year, the highlights included a Pool and Darts evening called “Taking Aim at Mental Health” and a softball tournament “Pitching Mental Health Stereotypes, both of which raised money for the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Sturgeon teachers also sponsored scholarships for graduating students working on education degrees and funds supporting Sturgeon families in need. Sturgeon teachers strongly believe in the importance of quality educators in the classroom and active citizens in their communities.
Above: From left – Thomas Holmes (VP Sturgeon ATA Local), Sherri Devolder (VP Sturgeon ATA Local), Iain Jamieson (Sturgeon ATA Local Professional Development Chair)
