Current News - Christian Teachers Association of BC

News for November 2011

Convention October 2012

We will have Tony Campolo as the keynote speaker. He will challenge teachers to consider integrating social injustice and restorative stories into the curriculum. The intent is to sharpen teacher and student perspectives on how teachers can help students “love” their hurting neighbour locally, nationally and globally.

The Convention Planning Committee will have its first planning meeting on November 18. Please send us your input for the convention. Teachers are encouraged to consider leading a workshop at the convention. The CTABC “Professional Development” policy identifies leading other teachers in professional development as credit towards their own PD.

Documenting your Professional Development

Are you documenting the 30 hours of PD activities that you are involved in each year? We are encouraging every teacher to maintain their own PD record card. The CTABC-SCSBC approved model can be found on the website at: www.christianteachers.ca/ctabcprod.cfm

Regional Professional Development Days

Check out the list of topics being presented. There may be an interest in doing or attending a workshop in one of the other regions. Let the CTABC office know and they will forward the request to the organizing committees.

January 20, 2012 Sunshine Coast (Gibsons): Mark Nill, Topic: Restorative Practices

February 10, 2012 Okanagan (Salmon Arm): David Collins (Paradigm Ministries)

February 17, 2012 Vancouver Island (Duncan): David Smith (Kuyers Institute)

February 24, 2012 Lower Mainland: In-school professional development

April 20, 2012 Northern Schools: (Smithers) Topic to be announced.

A New Contract

CTABC has prepared a draft contract that speaks for teachers who qualify for an “indefinite contract” or a “continuous” contract. This contract will form the basis for all other definite or short term contracts and support staff such as special education assistants. The contract has been presented at the CTABC AGM and is being promoted through the CTABC liaisons. The Executive Director will be meeting with principals and liaisons to review the contract. This document will be vetted by the SCSBC “Policy” Committee and the CPABC executive. We hope to have the final copy ready by February 24, 2012 when final attention will be given to all the input. For a copy of the draft contract go to the home page www.christianteachers.ca and check the link on the right corner.

Edu-Deo, formerly known to us as Worldwide Christian Schools, will be the new organization through which CTABC will channel all “Bridging Cultures” and “Walking Together” projects. If you or your school is interested in developing a relationship with a school in a developing culture, check out what this organization can do for you.

As you have no doubt heard in the press, the changes that had been spoken of in the Avison Report last year have translated into legislation. The BC College of Teachers will certainly look different in the future. Until we get the final details, CTABC will hold off saying anything. We will be looking to the Federation of Independent Schools to inform us what will be the new policy. “College operations continue as normal through the transition” is the official statement to date from the college.

The Board will review the minutes of the AGM held on October 7 and welcome Sally Schouten (Agassiz) to the Board. Most of the Board’s attention will focus on the new contract with a special emphasis on “termination” provisions in the contract.

The Board still is looking for an additional member. Anyone interested should check the website and familiarize themselves with the CTABC mission, vision and core values (Home page) and the “Board” link on the website.

Trinity Western is offering a Bible course that meets one of the five course requirements for the Christian perspective course requirements. See: http://www.twu.ca/extension/program/ teachers/spring.html

This course is designed to deepen teachers’ knowledge of the Bible and its use in Christian schools. Participants will consider how to teach Biblical Studies from grades K-12, how to use the Bible as a devotional book, and how the Bible gives direction to the learning-teaching process in all areas of the curriculum.

Invite Peter to come to your school to lead a professional workshop or to work with your employee relations committee. Topics:

• For Teachers new to Christian Education: How to integrate a Christian worldview into the curriculum? (Six hour workshop). This can be adapted for an all school, all day workshop.

• Professional Boundaries: What can one expect in a Christian school? (2 hours)

• Employee Relations Committee: Compensation issues for teachers and support staff. Explaining process and what a fair compensation package will look like. (2 hours)