Discipline Process
In Saskatchewan, there are approximately 12,000 teachers who work in the publicly funded provincial pre-K to 12 education system. In the course of a teaching career, each of these individuals typically works with many students, parents, colleagues, educational assistants, consultants, and others. With such a large number of teachers and so many professional relationships and expectations, it is not surprising that questions or concerns may be raised from time to time about an individual teacher’s conduct or competence.
Most of these kinds of issues are successfully resolved by the individuals involved. In a few cases, however, the questions or concerns may persist and eventually lead to a formal complaint about the teacher. A complaint about an STF member’s professional conduct or competence may be addressed through the procedures of the teaching profession or the employer or both, either at the same time or at different points in time. It is important to keep in mind that these are two distinct sets of expectations and procedures – the profession’s and the employer’s – and that they are not interchangeable.
The procedures used by the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, as the official organization of the teaching profession, are set out in provincial legislation (The Teachers’ Federation Act, 2006) as well as in the bylaws and policies adopted by Council. Boards of education or conseils scolaires have the legislated authority to implement their own personnel policies and procedures regarding their employees’ conduct and competence.
The STF bylaws regarding professional discipline were developed by Saskatchewan teachers and include the Code of Professional Competence and the Code of Professional Ethics. A Code of Conduct Respecting the Collective Interests of Teachers has also been adopted by Council of the Federation and involves a somewhat similar set of procedures for addressing a formal complaint. However, unlike the other two codes, only members of the Federation may submit a complaint with regard to a matter that concerns the teaching profession’s collective interests.
Teachers are expected to be knowledgeable about the work-related expectations and disciplinary procedures of both their professional organization and their employer, respectively. This document outlines the disciplinary procedures for which the STF is responsible. Detailed information as well as advice and assistance are available to members on request from the STF Administrative Staff.