Alberta Education at tipping point , ATA survey finds

By Lethbridge Herald on January 22, 2026.

By Joe Manio

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter- Lethbridge Herald

Alberta teachers are sounding the alarm about a deepening crisis in education, with a new union survey showing unprecedented stress levels and waning confidence in the future of their profession.

The ATA says increasing classroom complexity and recent controversial government decisions have left educators demoralized and struggling to meet the diverse needs of their students.

The ATA announced the results of its Fall 2025 Pulse Research Study on Wednesday in Edmonton, unveiling the findings at a press conference and media release. The announcement was made by ATA President Jason Schilling.

Conducted Nov. 21 to Dec. 5 in 2025, more than 5,700 members were polled. Ninety-five per cent reported feeling stressed, and more than 94 per cent said they are pessimistic about the future of the teaching profession.

“The use of the notwithstanding clause along with the increasing complexity in classrooms has demoralized teachers and left schools scrambling to meet the diverse needs of their students,” said ATA President Jason Schilling.

The United Conservative Party (UCP) has defended its use of the clause as a necessary measure to assert legislative authority and provide clarity for parents and schools. The party says it is intended to uphold parental rights and ensure consistency in education policy across the province.

The ATA says the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause has effectively halted any collective bargaining negotiations until 2028, leaving teachers to continue working under increasingly complex and challenging conditions.

Eighty per cent of teachers surveyed reported that the diversity and complexity of student needs increased compared to the previous year. These include behavioural challenges, cognitive gaps, language learning needs, social-emotional needs, and the effects of socioeconomic strain.

“Students who require individual supports need 50 per cent more teacher assistance and preparation than typical learners. These complexities add to the already overburdened load of teachers who now have fewer resources than ever,” said Schilling.

The ATA is calling for concrete solutions to address daily classroom challenges. Suggested measures include hiring more teachers to reduce class sizes, increasing the number of educational assistants, ensuring access to counselors in every school, and expanding mental health and other wraparound supports such as speech and physiotherapy services.

“We’ve heard of this before and teachers have been talking about this for years. We’re at the point where what’s indicated within the qualitative answers that you hear from teachers is they are tired of listening to governments saying ‘we hear your concerns’ and ‘we’ve heard your issues.’”

The union says it is time for progress, not empty promises. Three months after the government invoked the notwithstanding clause and ordered teachers back to work the ATA says it has seen no significant action from the UCP.

“The minister and the premier have said it time and time again. We’ve heard the concerns of teachers and we know that we have a complexity problem here within the province and we’re going to address that. And here we are 86 days later, and nothing has happened,” says Schilling.

Despite the pressures, the ATA says teachers continue in their work out of dedication to their profession and their students.

“Teachers are feeling so demoralized at school every day, but there’s one element in there that says that teachers are still finding joy working with their students…and that’s the part that we need to capitalize on. That’s the part that we need to feed. The reality is teachers are committed to kids but we can’t keep doing more with less,” said Schilling.

The ATA is the professional organization representing teachers in the province. It advocates for public education, supports teachers’ professional practice, and represents more than 51,000 members.