PSTA

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.

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.

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 15^th 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.

Notice of PSTA Presidential Election

PSTA members are invited to submit nominations for the office of PSTA President for the term of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022. This is a full time release position.

The PSTA President’s duties are described in PSTA Policy and Guidelines Section 3.5 President. Please forward completed nomination forms to Returning Officer, Cary Pepper-Martens (cary.pepper-martens@spiritsd.ca) by February 21^st at 4:00 pm.

Nominees are encouraged to include a photograph and written statement, which will be posted on psta.ca.

The general membership elect the President through a secret ballot. All members are eligible to vote. The election will be held on February 27^th, 2020.

Please contact Cary Pepper-Martens if you have any questions.

The PSTA Executive encourages every member to consider running for this important position. 

NOMINATION FORM