Brian Knowles

PSTA Executive & Committee Elections

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Nominations for PSTA Executive and standing committees (2020-2021) are now open.

Becoming involved in the PSTA is an excellent way to support teachers, influence positive change in education, and contribute to teaching and learning in Prairie Spirit. Please consider running for one of the following positions:

Vice President

The Vice President assists the president by carrying out responsibilities designated to the office by the president and/or executive, presides over general meetings of membership, collaborates with the professional development committee to organize general assemblies, and assumes the role of president in the event that the president is unable to carry out their duties.

STF Councillors

There are ten (10) STF Councillor positions available for 2020-2021. STF Councillors sit on the PSTA Executive, support the work of PSTA committees, and represent teachers within the STF. They also attend annual meetings of Council where they learn about educational issues in Saskatchewan, elect the STF Executive, and discuss and debate resolutions to guide the Federation.

Local Implementation and Negotiation Committee

There are six (6) LINC positions available for 2020-2021. LINC members implement, monitor, and negotiate our Local Collective Bargaining Agreement. 2020 – 2021 will be a negotiation year.

Professional Development Committee

There are five (5) PD Committee positions available for 2020-2021. The PD committee consults and collaborates with PSSD to help meet the professional learning needs of PSTA members. They also plan the PSTA General Assembly, and work to ensure that all provisions related to professional development/adult learning contained within LINC are implemented.

Communications Committee

There are three (3) Communications Committee positions available for 2020-2021. The Communications Committee works to enhance communication within the PSTA, and with our education partners and communities. They also work to promote the PSTA and enhance the image of the teaching profession. The PSTA will need this committee to manage our social media accounts and website starting in August 2020.

Nominations will close from the virtual floor of the representative assembly on May 12th, 2020.

PSTA Nomination Form for 2020-2021 – all officesDownload

All executive members and standing committee chairs receive an honorarium.

Presidential Candidate Videos

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The PSTA Executive invited both presidential candidates to answers three questions in a short video to share with members. We hope this helps to inform your decision.

Scott Woods-Fehr

Nomination for PSTA President

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Scott Woods-Fehr, PSTA Presidential Candidate

CANDIDATE FOR PSTA PRESIDENT

My name is Scott Woods-Fehr and I am seeking your support to become President of the Prairie Spirit Teachers’ Association (PSTA).

I have been teaching since 2002 and have a variety of experience including teaching middle years and high school at Chief Poundmaker School and six years at Hanley Composite in the role of K-12 Special Education Resource Teacher. Currently, I am in my fifth year teaching grade 7 at Warman Community Middle School. I believe that my range of experience allows me to truly speak for all teachers in our school division.

My partner Andrea is a teacher and works as a special education consultant. We live in Saskatoon with our kids Liam (age 10) and Jonah (age 8) and our dog Sam (age 13!). I am passionate about computers and technology, and I enjoy BMX racing, family bike rides, and playing beach volleyball with friends. 

I have over 11 years of experience with the PSTA. As a substitute teacher, I started attending School Staff Liaison meetings to better understand the roles of the STF and local associations.  In 2009 I was elected as STF councillor and have served in that role to date. This year I am also serving as Councillor Chair.  Since I joined the PSTA Executive, we transitioned to a new provincial funding model for education which has changed the shared work of the Board, Division Office, and PSTA Executive. As a councillor, I have met with our school board to share members’ concerns and discuss ways the board can best support teachers and students.

I am proud to say our relationship with the PSSD board and senior administration is positive. Board members consistently seek to understand teacher working and student learning conditions and we enjoy an open flow of communication. However, there have been times in previous years when we were obliged to engage in difficult conversations with the director and senior administration to discuss emerging and challenging issues on behalf of Prairie Spirit teachers.

As PSTA President, I pledge to maintain the positive and open relationship past presidents have developed with our board and division staff. At the same time, I will advocate for the needs of teachers with a strong voice. My experience in a variety of K-12 classroom settings, as a special education teacher, and in small and large schools allows me to understand the different positions and perspectives of teachers across our division. Teachers are the experts in what our students need to thrive as learners however, we continue to face numerous challenges that contribute to the intensification of teacher workload including underfunding, a lack mental health supports for students, and increasing class complexity.

The work of the PSTA is incredibly important for the future of our profession and I look forward to the opportunity to represent you locally and provincially. Thank you for your support.

Nominations for PSTA President

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CANDIDATE FOR PSTA PRESIDENT

Hello Colleagues, my name is Matt Linner, and I have accepted a nomination to run for PSTA President.  I am in my 15th year of teaching:  3 in Sun-West School Division and the last 12 in Prairie Spirit working at Warman High School. 

In my career I have coached multiple sports in every year I have taught, and I’ve been lucky enough to get to know many PSTA teachers from across the division.  Most recently I have been head coach of Warman High’s wrestling team and track and field team.  In all 15 years of my career, I have directed Remembrance Day Ceremonies at my schools. 

I have Commissioned Provincial Championships, coached athletes and teams who have won multiple Provincial Championships, been a Social Studies Department Head, and taken part in many school division PD’s and initiatives, and I’ve piloted the Storefront Program at Warman High which is an outreach program for students struggling to function within regular classes.

As a candidate for PSTA President, I have extensive knowledge and experience within both the PSTA and the STF.  In my first 3 years of teaching in Eatonia, I was elected as an STF Councillor for Sun West Teachers Association.  When I arrived at Warman High, I was an SSL for a year, and then served as Councillor between 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for the PSTA. 

These experiences helped me gain a strong understanding of the duties of the PSTA, how the STF functions, how resolutions are drafted, debated, and passed, and made many contacts within the STF and other local teacher associations.

As President, I would seek to continue the positive and honest relationships PSTA has with the local board and the senior administration at PSSD.  Moving forward, our partnerships need to be strong as we continue on in a difficult financial climate.  I look forward to representing all PSTA teachers to the best of my ability.

Education Bursary

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Our Local Collective Bargaining Agreement contains an education bursary to provide financial assistance toward the costs of tuition, courses, and learning programs. PSTA members may apply for up to $500 or 65% of the cost of each course successfully completed between Sept 1, 2018 to Aug 31, 2019. The amount of $45,000.00 plus the 2018-2019 carry-over of $11,407.49 is available for education bursaries. The total amount available will be divided by the total eligible claims within the priority areas to determine the amount of each bursary. Once the priority area applications have been awarded, remaining bursary funds will be distributed to eligible applicants in non-priority areas.

EDUCATION BURSARIES Application 2019-2020Download

Thank You for Celebrating World Teachers’ Day!

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The Honorable Gord Wyant, Minister of Education addresses teachers and supporters on World Teachers’ Day in front of the Provincial Legislature.

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate World Teachers’ Day in Regina! We heard messages in support of teachers from STF Vice-President, Samantha Becotte; the Honorable Gord Wyant, Minister of Education; Domenic Scuglia, member of LEADS; Lori Johb, President, Saskatchewan Federation of Labour; Leah Andrews, Parent; Ryan Meili, Leader of the Opposition; Merah Gasmo, student; and Patrick Maze, STF President . The common theme: teachers make critical and immeasurable contributions to the well-being of children, communities, and our province. Thank you for everything you do!

Come out and show your PRIDE!

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Join members of the PSTA, students, families and friends on Sunday, June 23rd and take part in the Saskatoon PRIDE Parade 2019! The PSTA works to create safe and caring schools for LGBTQ2S students and staff. Taking an active part in celebrating Pride month is just one way we can show our support!

We will gather on the west side of the University Bridge around 11:30am. There will be a group photo taken at 11:45. Hope to see you there!

What’s the best thing about teaching?

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The 20 Most Surprising, All-Around Best Things About Teaching

What are the best things about teaching? Here’s what the WeAreTeachers community has to say.

Elizabeth Mulvahill on January 4, 2017

Best Things About Teaching

What is it about this crazy, demanding, exhausting job that keeps us motivated and forever digging deeper to make an impact?

We asked our amazing group of teachers on Facebook to fill in the blank: The best thing about being a teacher is______. and the answers came pouring in! Enjoy the best of these sincere, heartfelt, and inspiring answers!

1.

down-time

2.

“Knowing that you can’t change the world for them, so you set about trying to equip them for what it has in store for them. And sometimes, they want to give you the time of day when they have left you. They still want you to watch over them.”—Claire A.

3.

“I love showing students that learning can be fun and they can trust me. Nothing beats the feeling of having a “difficult” student work hard for you and want to come to school because of you!” —Sandra D.

4.

“The best thing about being a teacher is the fact that I can have a positive impact on how a student identifies. By constantly reinforcing and recognizing their efforts to learn, they will identify as learners.” —Sheila K.

5.

“The satisfaction you get from being able to educate your students to see them make something of themselves. That, and the fond memories you build alongside your colleagues.” —Ismael P.

6.

honor

7.

“Knowing that even though what you chose to do may not bring great monetary riches, what’s better than seeing a child proud of him or herself?” —Patricia G.

8.

“When the class breaks out in spontaneous laughter together. It feels like family.” —Mei-Ling U.

9.

“Recess! It’s when they really open up and you get to know them!” —Chelle N.

10.

“Knowing you must be doing something right when they are always excited to see you.” —Rebecca C.

11.

“Building relationships with my kids and watching them learn and grow as great little people. They make me laugh every day.” —Lori K.

12.

family

13.

“Being someone’s best part of their day. Where they are safe and loved.” —Leigh I.

14.

“Going to work every day and experiencing something new.” —Dianne E. 

15.

“The kids of course! Their laughter, smiles, that moment when they learn something new, their hugs.” —Je H.

16.

“A fresh start for students as well as myself every year.” —Suzanne B.

17.

aha

18.

“The best part of being a teacher is the positive impact, sharing memories, laughing together.” —Alma E.

19.

“Hearing the children laugh, watching the children learn and seeing them smile because they are having fun.” —Megan B.

20.

“New beginnings and never-ending learning (both students and teacher).” —Jan B.

What would you add to the list?