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Julia Sproule named Alberta’s first-ever teaching profession commissioner

Sep 22, 2022 | 11:12 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The Government of Alberta has appointed its first-ever teaching profession commissioner. Julia Sproule will take on the new position and will be in charge of resolving conduct and competency complaints for all Alberta teachers and teacher leaders.

Sproule is a lawyer and senior leader who has experience in workplace conduct. Under her leadership, the new Alberta Teaching Profession Commission will oversee a model for teacher and teacher leader disciplinary matters. The commission was announced on March 31, 2022.

READ MORE: Province proposes hiring commissioner to oversee complaints regarding teachers

The province stated that the new model will bring Alberta in line with best practices in other provinces and other regulated professions.

Currently, Alberta is the only province where a teachers union handles all complaints of alleged unprofessional conduct and professional competence made against its active members.

Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange said, “The role of the arm’s-length commissioner is integral to the accountability and transparency of the new teacher and teacher leader disciplinary process.”

LaGrange added, “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.”

Sproule’s term is for five years. Other positions within the commission, such as investigators and administrative professionals, are being recruited this fall.

Sproule said, “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 start addressing complaints on January 1, 2023.

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