As Alberta's first-ever commissioner for the teaching profession, Julia Sproule has been chosen.

A lawyer and senior leader who has knowledge of the education system and experience in workplace conduct, Sproule will be in charge of resolving conduct and competency complaints for all Alberta teachers and teacher leaders.

The new Alberta Teaching Profession Commission, which was unveiled on March 31, 2022, will be led by her, and it will oversee a model for handling teacher and teacher-leader disciplinary cases. The commissioner was chosen in an open and public hiring procedure.

Alberta will now be in step with best practices in other provinces and other regulated professions thanks to this new model. The only jurisdiction at the moment where a teachers union deals with all claims of professional inadequacy and improper behaviour filed against its active members is Alberta.

“The role of the arm’s-length commissioner is integral to the accountability and transparency of the new teacher and teacher leader disciplinary process. The legal expertise and senior leadership capability Ms. Sproule brings to the table, along with her knowledge of the education system, are great assets for this important role,” said the Minister of Education, Adriana LaGrange.

According to Sproule, “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of commissioner, and I look forward to leading the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission in this new model as it undertakes its important and meaningful work.”

The Alberta Teaching Profession Commission will begin addressing complaints on Jan. 1, 2023.

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