From Substitute Teachers: Professional Replacements - Integration into the School System 

The Alberta Teachers’ Association encourages all locals to make provision for a substitute teachers group within the local. The following clause is from the section “Standard Local Constitution with Local Council”. For more details please contact Teacher Employment Services. 

25(1) At the request of ten or more substitute teacher members, this local shall organize a substitute teacher group. 

(2) Those eligible for participation in the group shall be members who substituted for one of the employing jurisdictions included in the local for at least one day during the previous twelve-month period. 

(3) An appropriate budget for the group shall be established. 

(4) The frame of reference for the group shall be as follows: 

(a) Its objects shall be to advance the professional skills and knowledge unique to substitute teaching and to advance within the local the special interests of substitute teachers. 

(b) It shall have at least one general meeting per year. 

(c) It shall elect a chair, a vice-chair, a secretary-treasurer and two members-at-large to an executive which shall be responsible for organizing activities to promote the objects of the group. 

(d) Its executive shall present to the local an annual report of its activities and of the disbursement of its funds. 

Many local substitute teachers groups have been formed. Although their structure may vary according to the specific situation, it is important that each group be officially recognized as part of the local association. 

Why a Local Substitute Teachers Group? 

The creation of a local substitute teachers group offers many advantages. A substitute teachers group can 

1. act as a focus group to deal with the unique problems, concerns and needs of substitute teachers; 

2. provide advice to the local council on substitute teacher matters; 

3. become a communications channel for two-way communications with the provincial level of the Alberta Teachers’ Association; 

4. provide input into local negotiations; 

5. provide a voice for substitute teachers at the policy development level through input to the teacher–board advisory committee; 

6. plan and organize professional development activities; 

7. collaborate with the local and/or the jurisdiction on orientation programs for its members; 

8. manage the budget allocated to it by the local and/or the jurisdiction; 

9. liaise with convention associations regarding appropriate sessions for its members; 

10. facilitate or sponsor members’ attendance at the annual provincial substitute teachers’ conference; 

11. raise the profile of substitute teachers within the jurisdiction and the local; 

12. provide spokespeople to deal with individual and/or collective concerns at the jurisdiction or local level; 

13. provide a network and support group for its members; 

14. organize social activities; 

15. help produce useful publications; and 

16. liaise with other organized substitute teacher groups throughout the province.