Thread by @ATAlocal45

@RajanJSaw Acknowledges the erosion of trust between the government and @albertateachers and looks forward to strengthening this relationship.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz understands that the issues are complex and there are a lot of people at the table that need to be included. "We have to build respect. We have to build trust." On curriculum: "The approach should have been 'we didn't get it right.' [1/2]

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz Expresses that it isn't right, but it would be too late to stop in October. The crowd disagrees - it would not be too late.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer "I do not work for the leader of my party. I work for you. And in that leadership space my door will always be open because I will not get it right. ... I can't do anything without your wisdom and consultation."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen "I agree [the adversarial attitudes] have to stop." Commits to meeting with @albertateachers more and building that relationship. Focuses: 1 - students safety. 2 - bring edu sys back to the top due to GoA. 3 - need for openness and communication.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB "We want the same things for our kids. We just might want to get there a different way." 1 - take the ideology out of our curriculum and make sure it is never there again. 2 - make curriculum a pilot project so teachers can decide if they want to go forward with it.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB Q2: Curriculum - Teachers are expected to implement the new curriculum without resources. How would you consult with teachers to give them a leading role in the process?

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @RajanJSaw Calgary committee did not recommend going forward with this curriculum. "Knowledge rich curriculum involves a lot more than just facts." The changes made were clearly not enough. "I will halt the curriculum." And commits to have the experts at the table and to listen.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @rebeccakschulz Acknowledges the curriculum was not age appropriate and that kids needs to get caught up in math & reading. "We need to stop further development of the curriculum." She commits to listening to stakeholders and teachers in order to rebuild trust in the process.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @LeelaAheer "It's not just about pulling the curriculum. It's about rebuilding a system of trust." Teachers need to be consulted. Acknowledges the privilege she has at the table and that her job is to be a partner to teachers and to work for us. Thanks teachers for resiliency.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @dtloewen Describes the need for a new curriculum, but the development, roll out, piloting & implementation was flawed. He disagrees that it should be entirely thrown out. "I think we need to work together on this, we have an opportunity to fix some of the issues on this."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @BrianJeanAB "We need to listen to the concerns of parents and teachers. ... Let's break it up into chunks and roll it out much more slowly." LA Math PE Wellness would become an optional pilot for the year and allow teachers to reject or accept it. 1/2

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @BrianJeanAB "Teachers can tell us what works, what doesn't and what isn't appropriate." Commits to not doing it that way again. "The ATA @albertateachers should not be the enemy of Alberta, we should be best friends."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith "Are kids getting socially promoted without the foundational skills, such as reading?" Expresses issues with new math - kids can't learn if they don't get the right answer. Mentions how she consults with David Staples. The crows rumbles & groans... 1/2

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith "Respect is a two-way street guys." Someone from the crowd shouts "That is what we have been asking for." Danielle focuses on what she feels is negative messaging being taught in schools.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith Q3 is in regards too funding.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @rebeccakschulz "Fundamentally making sure dollars and cents are flowing to students and classrooms. ... I do think that education is one area where more funding is required. ... More dollars for teachers in the first 30 days of me being Premier." 1/2

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @rebeccakschulz Commits to Minimum of 3500 EAs, increasing the number of teachers in schools, doubling capital. "I do believe in parent choice bust so too does public education and we need to support both."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @LeelaAheer "We are the stewards of your dollars." Emphasis on making sure all charter schools, because they are fully funded, are open and transparent and fully inclusive of all students. "We need to fund to population growth. And enrolment growth. And inflation growth."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @dtloewen "We need to make sure our public education and separate school systems are fully funded." Goes on to include transportation as an area that needs support of funding as well. Communication is key, we need to listen to parents, teachers, school boards & superintendents."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @BrianJeanAB Separate and Public Schools would still be the priority for funding. "The better our education is across the province, the healthier, the happier, and the free-er we are." Model to supplement funding to growing schools. Wants to try this current model before changing

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith Forgive any typos! We are trying!

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @ABDanielleSmith Describes the funding model as an issue more for Edm/Cal & not Rural areas. "In Edmonton you don't have a lot of charter or private school choices. Calgary took a different approach & that is why we have seen a proliferation of public & independent schools. 1/2

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @ABDanielleSmith "As long as you are providing the preferred option for parents, I don't feel there should be any concerns." Parent choice disagreement is largely a rural issue as there aren't other options in rural areas. How can we use alt approaches to incubate good edu?

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @RajanJSaw "We are trying to create world class citizens of the future. ... and we want to make sure everyone has the same access to the equity... Public Edu has to be priority No. 1."

Ah! She was fast!

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith Q4: Alberta Teachers Retirement Fund - Do you believe this was the right decision, to move the retirement fund to AIMCO? Does this relate to the provinces plan?

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @LeelaAheer "If you want to know the deepest disrespect to our teachers, that was it." Apologizes for teachers not being consulted "This will never happen again."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @dtloewen Did ask if what was predicted did come to fruition or not, but is still waiting on answers.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @BrianJeanAB "Not a big fan of centralizing things... Teachers retirement fund was out performing AIMCO year and year. ... Who can come to work with the Govt to help us make the right decisions?" Wants to have teachers at the table in making decision moving forward.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @ABDanielleSmith "Wouldn't everyone like a better return on investments?" Alludes to AIMCO losses being similar situation to what we would have seen under ATRF management... the crowd disagrees.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @RajanJSaw Admits the communication was missing and this lead to an erosion of trust. "It was hurtful ... mean spirited ... Who is talking about who is being impacted?" We need Buy In.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @rebeccakschulz As Conservatives we do look at the numbers and the economy. "I'm here because I care about people." The issue was about the lack of consultation. "When you talk about pensions, people want certainty." The issue is similar to curriculum - "We didn't consult."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @rebeccakschulz Commits to consulting if she is Premier.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @BrianJeanAB "You have the opportunity today to change that party [into what you want it to be]." Comits to Listening & Consulting Albertans. "Teachers should have been amongst the first we offered protection and we got it wrong folks."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @dtloewen There has been a lot of backtracking. "I'm committed to having a Minister of Education that will listen to you." Wants to be honest, open and transparent.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @LeelaAheer Concluding comments were not about her. "It's a love letter to all of you. I just want to say thank you." Wants to look at the curriculum together so no one is left behind. Let us build trust and family. "My deepest appreciation and gratitude."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @rebeccakschulz Thanks us for our time. Thanks @albertateachers for this opportunity. Acknowledges teacher impact in and outside of the classroom. "I want to lead a party that we can be interested in growing the economy ... how we can build more opportunity for Albertans...

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @rebeccakschulz "I know how complex education issues are" We can address things that classroom size and complexity and growth of our province.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @RajanJSaw Mental health supports need to be in schools. "Echo pandemic & we won't know what the results are for 10 years or more." Parents want more supports in the classroom for students. They shouldn't have to worry about the social services that are included in the classroom.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @ABDanielleSmith Compliments @schill_dawg on his advocacy work on our behalf. "Even when the govt wasn't reaching out to you, your executive definitely was. ... If we are going to support inclusivity and diversity... we need to make sure you have the staffing support to do that."

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @schill_dawg Whoa! Thanks to all the candidates.

A few did remind us, and all Albertans, that if we want a say in this race, we all have until the end of the week to purchase a membership with the UCP to do so.

@RajanJSaw @albertateachers @rebeccakschulz @LeelaAheer @dtloewen @BrianJeanAB @ABDanielleSmith @schill_dawg @schill_dawg "Your Party and Your Government has failed them. ... Education needs to be a priority every year. ... It is an investment... it is not an expense. ... I'm hoping that what we heard up here today are things that you believe... we will hold you to account."

@KellyCryderman Big shout out to you for doing such a great job at moderating today’s panels. You make these teachers proud! Way to be a #WomanInLeadership! #WIL #atasumcon