Follow us on Twitter

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Melissa Murray has joined our executive this year as Communications Chair and we now have a twitter account to share ideas and all the amazing things our teachers are doing in their classrooms. You can find us at @PSTAteachers

Join a PSTA Committee

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The PSTA is currently looking for members to fill a few vacancies on our committees. Our Social Committee has been vacant for a few years and the PSTA Executive would like to appoint someone for this position. We also have two ad hoc committees that are open to all members: the LGBTQ Committee and the Teacher Wellness Committee. If you are interested in joining either of these committees, please contact Scott Woods-Fehr.

2020 (Remote) General Assembly

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Our first remote General Assembly from a technical standpoint was a success but we want to hear from you. Watch for a survey from our PD Committee to hear what you thought about the format and sessions offered.

We had hoped to offer videos of the afternoon presentations for members to view at a later date, but were unable to save and store copies of the presentations.

Women in Leadership – A McDowell Research Project

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Two of our own PSTA Councillors, Amy Korver and Amy Orth have spent the last year researching the experience of female administrators in Saskatchewan. By interviewing female administrators in Prairie Spirit and Prairie South School Division, Korver and Orth were able to better understand the challenges these educational leaders in Saskatchewan face and provide recommendations to address the explicit and implicit gender discrimination from colleagues, parents and students. You can read more about their work in the September STF Bulletin and the read their report on our website when it is available.

STF Launches Member Support Centre

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If you called the STF this September, you have hopefully noticed a more direct and prompt response to your questions as the STF launched the new Member Support Centre to address member concerns. After a 2018 survey found 36% of members identified a need to reduce response times and the number of transfers when calling with an inquiry, the federation began designing a more efficient system of case management and call tracking. After one of the five centre’s representatives collect some information they are now better equipped to connect you with the person best suited to address your questions. When you do have to wait on hold, you are now given the option of a call back.

LINC Update

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Our current Local Agreement expired on Aug 31st, 2020, but will remain in place until we have negotiated and signed a new agreement. Unfortunately, our negations were put on hold with the closure of schools in Spring. With School Board Elections this November, it is likely negotiations will begin after Christmas break.

In addition to the surveys used last year to gather feedback about the current agreement, we want to learn more about how our members’ of the local agreement has been impacted by COVID and Return to School plans. The LINC team will be sending a short survey to SSLs every 2 weeks focused on one section or theme to gather feedback. We want to know how COVID has impacted prep time, supervision, and blended learning.

In the meantime, our LINC is collaborating with PSSD to review implementation of the agreement, identify areas that have been affected by COVID, and address issues that arise. If you have questions or comments related to the Local Agreement, please contact our LINC Chair, Brian Knowles, or PSTA President, Scott Woods-Fehr.

STF School Re-Opening Advisory

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The Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation has put together a document, “School Re-opening Advisory”.

You can find it in your inbox or on the at STF website. The document contains important information about quarantine leave, refusal to work, and duty to accommodate.

If you have any questions or concerns now or in the future, please contact your PSTA President, Scott Woods-Fehr or call the STF Member Support Centre at (306) 373-1660

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.