ATA questions reasoning over minister’s decision to fire teachers
Posted May 28, 2014 2:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Alberta Teachers Association said it’s willing to work on stiffer penalties for teachers who commit improper conduct, but is questioning the motivation behind a recent decision by the education minister.
An ATA hearing committee recently suggested long-term suspensions for three teachers: one who had sex with a student, one who had cybersex with another and a teacher who yelled and swore at students, injuring one by kicking furniture.
Jeff Johnson decided those penalties weren’t harsh enough and decided to cancel their licences permanently.
It’s the first time an education minister has ever made such a ruling over the ATA.
The association’s executive secretary, Gordon Thomas, points out that teachers who are suspended for unprofessional conduct must reapply for their license and since 1936, only one has ever been readmitted.
“What he’s been doing here is all post the task force for teaching excellence, I just can’t get that out of my head that there could be some politics at play here too,” Thomas said.
Thomas added the hearing committees that make such recommendations don’t just include teachers, but public members named by the minister.
He said if Johnson wants higher penalties in for certain matters, the ATA is there to work with them.
He also said these latest decisions were unique.
