Former Coaldale teacher re-elected ATA president

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on March 19, 2025.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Jason Schilling has been re-elected to his fourth term as president of the Alberta Teachers Association.

Lethbridge native Schilling taught English and drama for 17 years at Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale and starts his new term on July 1. He now lives in Edmonton.

“My goal as your president has always been to improve the capacity of the ATA and further develop it into a resilient organization valued by all its members. I believe that we fight for what we value, and with your continued support, I will remain a strong voice for you, for all our students and for public education,” said Schilling in a statement on the ATA’s website before the election.

“Our goals are clear. Woven through all the pressures facing education is the shameful lack of funding for our schools. Greater public awareness of the lack of funding around inclusion needs to be a higher focus. We see it every day, so we must continue to engage with partners who also value public education.

“The ATA must continue to engage and strengthen our relationship with members as we address classroom conditions and wages, even after this round of bargaining. We must stress greater teacher involvement in curriculum and assessment design as Grades 7-9 are developed and implemented. The government’s plans to expedite teaching credentials in Alberta is a significant threat we must face as it will undermine our professionalism and the quality of education,” he added.

Alberta teachers cast their ballots from March 10-13 to determine membership of the provincial executive council for the next two years.

The council consists of 20 people who conduct the ATA’s business. It consists of elected representatives of Alberta teachers and the association’s executive secretary.

Schilling received 5,619 of the 11,545 votes cast for president. Two other candidates – who both work in Grande Prairie – were also running for the position.

Katherine Pritchard was acclaimed as the Southwest district representative.

Pritchard is a high school math, science and French teacher with Palliser School Division at Noble Central School. Pritchard, who has taught with Palliser for 27 years, served for eight years as local president and for five years as treasurer of Palliser Local 19.