Call for Nominations for STF Councillor Vacancies

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The PSTA currently has two STF Councillor vacancies. STF Councillors sit on the PSTA Executive 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.

On behalf of the PSTA Nominations/Electoral Committee, I invite any PSTA member interested in joining the PSTA Executive to submit a nomination form for STF Councillor.

Nominations are now open and will close Friday, September 23, 2022 at 4:00PM.

The term will be from Oct 3, 2022-June 30, 2023.

School Staff Liaisons elect the PSTA Executive through a secret ballot. All School Staff Liaisons will receive a ballot through Election Runner when voting opens on September 29th at 8:00AM.

Voting will close September 30th at 4:00PM and the results will be announced Monday, October 3rd.  

2022-2023 PSTA Nomination Form for STF Councillor

PSTA General Assembly Keynote: Chief Cadmus Delorme

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Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cowessess First Nation

Chief Cadmus Delorme, a Cree and Saulteaux, is the Chief of the Cowessess First Nation. Chief Delorme graduated from Cowessess Community Education Centre in 2000. He later moved to Regina to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Certificate in Hospitality, Tourism and Gaming Entertainment Management from the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), and a Master of Public Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. Recently, he has completed an Institute of Corporate Directors designation. 

In 2012, Chief Delorme received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognizing his student leadership and the hospitality he showed to Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, when they visited FNUniv. He was also named one of CBC Saskatchewan’s Future 40, which celebrates the province’s new generation of leaders, builders and change-makers under the age of 40. 

In 2019, Chief Delorme was re-elected to a second term in office. Under his leadership, Cowessess First Nation has focused on economic self-sustainability for its nation and people and has moved forward on renewable energy, agriculture, efficiency in land use initiatives that have created both current and future business opportunities.

This past year, Chief Delorme faced one of the hardest moments as Chief when the Saulteaux and Cree First Nation made international headlines with the discovery of potentially 751 unmarked graves near the former Marieval Indian Residential School. Shortly after, Cowessess made headlines again as the first First Nations community to sign an agreement with Ottawa that returns jurisdiction over children in care to the community. Federal legislation overhauling Indigenous child welfare was passed in 2019 and came into force last year.

Chief Delorme lives with his wife Kimberly, brother-in-law, daughter and two son’s on Cowessess First Nation. 

2022 PSTA Student Scholarship Recipients

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This year the PSTA received 20 applications for the 2022 PSTA Scholarship. Three scholarships of $1,000 were available to all Prairie Spirit students graduating in 2022 who have enrolled in any post-secondary institution and for the first time, the PSTA made the Cindy Clarke Memorial Scholarship of $1,000.00 available to a Prairie Spirit student graduating in 2022, who has enrolled in a post-secondary institution in a Bachelor of Education program. Seven of the twenty applicants were eligible for the Cindy Clarke Memorial Scholarship.

With so many great applications, it was difficult for the committee to decide, but in the end the committee chose Hailey Mayer of Allan Comp, William Buscholl-Pearce of Colonsay and Kayne Schmidt of Aberdeen to each receive a $1000 scholarship to help toward the cost of their post-secondary education.

Kayla Wolfe of Allan Comp is the winner of the newly established Cindy Clarke Memorial Scholarship for a Prairie Spirit graduate entering a Bachelor of Education program.

We wish all of you the best in your future education endeavors!

Call for Presenters for 2022 PSTA General Assembly

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On behalf of the PSTA PD Committee, I would like to extend the opportunity to all members to put forth proposals expressing their interest to present for our membership at the 2022-2023 General Assembly.  After much discussion and taking into consideration membership voice, the committee has decided to host our general assembly online with the intention of returning to in-person GA in 2023. Please keep this in mind if you are interested in presenting a breakout session, as we will be using Microsoft Teams as the platform (can be flexible if need be).

We are looking for sessions on all topics! Hot topics of the past include: assessment, technology, teacher wellness, workshop model, math, writing, cultural responsiveness, trauma informed education, MPSC, parent engagement.  These are just a few ideas, but we are open to anything! 

We have also had some specific requests for sessions.  If you feel you could lead a session in any of the following, please consider being a presenter! Interest topics include: teaching modified classes, supporting students with learning disabilities, teaching music, PAA related, leadership PD, supporting students with anxiety, outdoor education PD, Science of Reading, Teaching Writing Craft gr 7-12, play-based learning from kindergarten to grade 1, mental health. 

If you are interested in presenting, proposals to present a breakout session can be submitted through the attached form. 

As well we are considering bringing back time for subject/grade alike groups, but our thinking is that the time spent will be a bit more structured than it has been in the past.  As well, we will only provide grade/subject alike sessions with groups who have a designated facilitator. This is where we need your help! 

Our thinking is that the committee will create a “format” for the sessions to follow (similar to what staff experience during PSSD PD days), and a facilitator would keep the groups on track and guide the group through the pre-planned session.  If you are interested in facilitating a grade/subject alike session, please complete the attached form indicating the grade/ subject you would like to facilitate.  

Please submit your proposal to lisa.kuchler@spiritsd.ca. We will be in contact with interested parties by the end of May/ early June to confirm proposal.

General Assembly Presenter Proposal Form

2022-2023 PSTA Executive and Standing Committee Call for Nominations

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The nominations for PSTA Executive and Standing Committees for the 2022-2023 year are now open for the term of one year, from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. 

The PSTA Executive and standing committee members work to support teachers in Prairie Spirit and we hope you will consider becoming a member of the executive or one of our standing committees.

The nomination forms can be downloaded from the PSTA website in the Documents & Forms section.

Nominations close from the floor of the May Representative Assembly on May 17th, 2022.

Send Nominations to:

The following positions are open for nominations:

  • Vice President: The Representative Assembly elects one vice-president to preside over general meetings of the membership and assist the president in carrying out the responsibilities of the office and assumes the role of president in representing and chairing meetings in the event the president is unable to attend.
  • STF Councillors: There are ten (10) STF Councillor positions available for 2022-2023. STF Councillors sit on the PSTA Executive 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 2022-2023. LINC members implement, monitor, and negotiate our Local Collective Bargaining Agreement. The PSTA has ratified a LINC Agreement for 2020-2023 so there will not be any negotiation meetings this term but it is a good opportunity to learn the role and prepare for future negotiations.
  • Professional Development Committee: There are five (5) PD Committee positions available for 2022-2023. 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 2022-2023. 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.

PSTA President Nominee Videos

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Last week, the PSTA Exec developed three questions for PSTA president candidates. They were asked to submit videos addressing the following questions:

  1. How have you prepared for the role of president? How do you envision your role as president?  
  2. What are the current, most pressing needs of teachers in Prairie Spirit? What impact you do hope to have on the daily lives of teachers in Prairie Spirit?  
  3. Maintaining trust with the board and school division is a crucial part of the role of president, as is advocating for Prairie Spirit teachers. How might you maintain relationships when our interests diverge? 

Link for Chad Williams’ video
Link for Scott Woods-Fehr’s video

Nomination for PSTA President

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CANDIDATE FOR PSTA PRESIDENT: Scott Woods-Fehr

Scott Woods-Fehr

My name is Scott Woods-Fehr and I am seeking your vote to represent you as PSTA President for another two years.

Two years ago, I submitted my nomination form for the position of PSTA President. After serving as an STF Councillor on the PSTA Executive for 11 years, I felt I had a good understanding of the role of President and I was ready to apply my experience and skills in a new challenging position. With the support of a strong PSTA Executive and my previous experience, I was excited and prepared to represent Prairie Spirit teachers. And then the COVID pandemic changed everything. Previous questions and requests for support around professional and assigned time, prep time, and leaves were ongoing but suddenly a large portion of requests for support focused on new concerns like blended learning, quarantine leave, safety measures, and vaccination policies.

The PSTA Executive has had many successes in the past two years as we transitioned our General Assembly, Executive and Representative Meetings and elections online. And my tech skills and passion for technology have been assets. I have made the operations of the PSTA more efficient with tech features to increase quality of communication and overall transparency including online claim forms and email money transfers to reimburse members and transparent with an updated website where I have posted our governance documents to make them more easily accessible to PSTA members.

Since my term began in July 2020, I have developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for collaboration between the PSTA and PSSD leaders. I am reminded that the only way the PSTA can accomplish our goals and support teachers is through positive collaboration with our Senior Administrative Staff in the division office. When it was apparent teachers would not be using personal leave days for trips and family obligations, I had the opportunity to work with Superintendent of Human Resources, Jon Yellowlees to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to allow teachers to carryover an additional 2 personal leave days to the next year. The number of days a teacher can carryover is outlined in our LINC Agreement so it was an area we have a shared voice with the Division in the direction and implementation of our Agreement. There have also been times when a decision is outside of the responsibilities of the PSTA and we need to lean on the strength of our positive relationship with Prairie Spirit Administrative Staff and the Prairie Spirit School Board.

I have learned that sometimes even with a positive collaborative relationship, the PSTA is unable to do more than investigate, understand the rationale and share the concerns of teachers we represent. The sudden introduction of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation led to a school calendar change to include an unanticipated holiday where requirements for assigned time and instructional time left few options to address the calendar change. The division had to move a day-in-lieu from this spring to accommodate the new holiday and understandably, many teachers were unhappy with the decision. I did my best to help concerned teachers understand the complexities surrounding calendar development. And I shared concerns of teachers with our Director of Education and Human Resources Superintendent so they understood the impact this change had on teachers and how significant the loss of a day-in-lieu after evenings of interviews is to teachers especially in the context of educating in a pandemic.

As PSTA President, I pledge to continue to maintain the positive and open relationship the PSTA has developed with our board and division staff. At the same time, I will continue to 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 has allowed me to understand the different positions and perspectives of teachers across our division.

The work of the PSTA is incredibly important for the future of our profession and I thank you for putting your trust in me as your representative and hope to have the opportunity to continue to represent you locally and provincially. I hope you will consider my name when you vote for PSTA President.

Nomination for PSTA President

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CANDIDATE FOR PSTA PRESIDENT: Chad Williams

My name is Chad Williams and I currently teach grade two at Venture Heights and pre-service teachers in Curriculum Studies at the U of S. I am eager and excited to accept the nomination for Prairie Spirit Teachers’ Association president, and I am seeking your support.

I am currently in my 14th year of teaching, and in my 12th year with Prairie Spirit School Division where I have taught elementary, middle years and high school. I have been fortunate to be a part of K-8, K-12, and 9-12 schools. These experiences are necessary and pivotal in ensuring the president speaks for all teachers in our school division.

In addition to my role as a classroom teacher with PSSD, I currently hold or have held the following positions:

  • PSTA councillor
  • Member of the LINC committee
  • Member of the PD committee
  • Chair of the LGBTQ2S ad hoc committee

I currently sit on the following Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation / Canadian Teachers’ Federation committees:

  • Supporting Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Mathematics Working Committee (STF)
  • Practicum Advisory Committee (U of S – STF)
  • Advisory Committee on Diversity and Human Rights – Alternate (CTF)
  • Professional Growth Network – Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers’ Society – Past-President (STF)

My experience working closely with PSSD and the STF will ensure we maintain positive relationships and productive dialogue, while supporting and advocating for teachers and students.

As we continue to work closely with PSSD over the next two years, I believe we need to focus on the following:

  • Staff and student well-being
  • Teacher intensification with EDSBY roll out
  • Lasting effects of COVID-19 on teaching and learning
  • Data collection to better prepare for next LINC negotiation
  • Better understand the impact of Learning Facilitators

My experience in teaching, committee work, and professional development facilitation has given me the skills, knowledge, and experiences to be the stronger voice for teachers the PSTA needs as president.

If you have any questions regarding my potential leadership as PSTA president, feel free to reach out via email at chad.williams@spiritsd.ca. I would be happy to continue conversations with PSSD teachers around what matters to you.

Regards,
Chad Williams

Notice of PSTA Presidential Election

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PSTA members are invited to submit nominations for the office of PSTA President for the term of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024.

The PSTA President’s duties are described in PSTA Policy and Guidelines Section 3.6 President. Please forward completed nomination forms to Returning Officer, Amy Korver by 4:00 pm on Monday, February 28th.

We encourage you to provide a photograph of yourself and a written statement, which will be posted on the PSTA web site leading up to the election.

Nominees will be given an opportunity to record a video response to questions provided by the Returning Officer. Questions will be made available to nominees on March 1st and posted on the PSTA website on March 6th.

The general membership elect the President through a secret ballot. All PSTA members are eligible to vote.

Voting for the PSTA President election will be facilitated by your School Staff Liaisons and occur using Election Runner on March 9th, 10th and 11th.

Please contact  Amy Korver if you have any questions.

PSTA President Nomination Form

2022-2024 PSTA President Nomination Form
2022-2024 PSTA President Nomination Form
Download Now!

PSTA Meetings to Remain Online

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The PSTA Executive met December 7th and discussed returning to in-person Executive and Representative Assembly meetings. Unfortunately, the STF is not yet allowing outside organizations to meet in Eamer Hall and there are no spaces available to safely accommodate a Representative Meeting with 80 people so we will continue to meet online and reevaluate again before the March 15th Representative Assembly.