President's Corner

February 29, 2024

Nurturing Minds, Shaping Futures: A Commitment to Mental Health in Alberta’s Public Schools

As we already finish up the second month of 2024, a year which seems to be moving at great speed, I am compelled to address a matter of paramount importance, which is the mental health of our students. Our commitment to fostering a safe and nurturing environment goes hand in hand with our dedication to promoting and protecting public education in Alberta. In recent years, the conversation around mental health…

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January 31, 2024

New Beginnings and Shared Success! Setting the Course for 2024

As we face the start of a new year, I am honored and humbled to extend my warmest greetings to all PSBAA members. The journey we’ve taken together up until this point has been marked by challenges and triumphs, and as we usher in 2024, I am filled with excitement for what we can achieve this year. The past year tested the resilience of public education in Alberta. Despite the…

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December 15, 2023

Season’s Greetings: PSBAA President’s Reflection on 2023

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I am filled with gratitude and pride as I reflect on 2023 as a whole. This past year has been a testament to the resilience and dedication of our members. Our collective strength and commitment to public education has allowed us to show Alberta we stand strong. Together, we have demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the well-being and education of the…

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November 15, 2023

Embracing Change and Preparing for the Future

Our 2023 Fall Conference and Annual General Meeting brought about some changes to our Board of Directors. We have a new First and Second Director who both come to us with unique perspectives and a long-standing history with the public school system in Alberta. After serving two years with us as First Director, Tasha Oatway-McLay from the Sturgeon School Division stepped down and we welcomed Patrick Grisonich from the Medicine…

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October 13, 2023

Looking ahead to a great Fall Conference and AGM

In just a few days, we will gather in Edmonton for the annual PSBAA Fall Conference and AGM. It has been a year of change, with a spring provincial election and a new Education Minister. We welcomed two new member boards to the Association—Pembina Hills and Peace River—and held wonderful meetings with other potential members. We have taken advantage of numerous opportunities to meet new people and build relationships and…

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September 15, 2023

Looking ahead to a great fall season

Welcome back to the start of the new school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer break, and were able to rest and recreate with friends and family as well as taking some time for yourself. This year, we took August PSBC on the road to Medicine Hat. It was wonderful seeing so many of our members in person. Our professional development and PSBC meetings are second to none,…

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June 23, 2023

We are Stronger Together!

We wrapped up our annual Spring General Assembly earlier this month and it was a wonderful event. The turnout and interactions from the crowd were outstanding as always. To say I had a favorite would be an understatement. Over the duration of the event, we heard about topics covering joy, indigenous perspectives on current affairs, youth participation processes within education, youth in foster care, positive thinking and AI in education.…

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May 15, 2023

Vote For an Excellent, Accessible, Equitable, Education

As we know the importance of democratically elected trustees is vital to the oversight and value provided within the public school system. Voted in by a universal electorate, where everyone is able to vote, trustees work hard to set goals, advocate for public schools, lobby the government and focus on accountability to ensure public schools remain a key pillar in society providing equity to all. As stewards of millions of…

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April 17, 2023

Mental Health and Public School Education

As we are all very aware, mental health issues are on the rise across Alberta and it is the mental health of our students, faculty and staff that is at the forefront of my mind. The last decade in Alberta has added to the complexity of the mental health struggles Albertans were already experiencing. We frequently discuss how the pandemic has affected the Education system, but Alberta has also dealt…

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March 15, 2023

It Must Be an Election Year!

As we all eagerly awaited the 2023 Alberta Budget release earlier this month, I pondered where will Public School Education land as a priority and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Now, the budget did not address all Public School Education needs, but what it did address was that we have the Ministry of Education’s attention, they are listening to us and are willing to work alongside us.…

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