Welcome to www.guidancecouncil.ca

The Guidance Council is a specialist group of the Alberta Teachers’ Association which:

• advocates for school counsellors in Alberta
• facilitates professional development activities for practicing school counsellors and related helping professionals
• publishes current research on topics of interest and concern to school counsellors
• provides input to the Alberta Teachers’ Association and Alberta Education on current educational issues from a guidance and counselling perspective
• supports comprehensive guidance and counseling program plan approach to school counselling

Position Paper on Guidance and Counselling in Alberta Released 

Executive of the ATA Guidance Council have submitted their position paper, A Proposal for Change: Establishing Comprehensive Guidance and Counselling Programs in Every School in Alberta, to Education Minister David Hancock (Letter attached).  Please read and discuss this paper with your colleagues, principal, district office staff, trustees and your MLA.  Please pass it on to people who may not be on the mailing list.  Write to the minister asking what action is being taken.  The paper proposes changes in services and supports provided by the government and our school districts, but also changes in the way school counselling services are offered in schools.  More information about Comprehensive Guidance and Counselling programming will be available through the Counselletter, the Voices of Counselling conference, regional councils and executive members. 

Position Paper

Letter to Minister

:: Upcoming Professional Development ::

• Calgary Regional Guidance Council year end lunch and meeting

Event	Location	Date
Annual Guidance Council Conference		November 19 - 21, 2009

We would like to invite you to attend ATA Guidance Council November 19-21, 2009 in beautiful Banff.   My committee is hard at work planning wonderful speakers on a wide variety of topics such as Transgender, Gangs, Retirement, Career, Depression etc. etc.

We have four wonderful workshops planned Thursday afternoon on Video Gaming addictions, Cognitive Coaching, Self-Harm and Counsellor Wellness.

We have confirmed outstanding Keynote Speakers. 

• Irene Lewis, CEO of SAIT and a Woman of Influence will be our motivational Opening Keynote Speaker.
• Andrew Brash who provided a rescue of a man while attempting to summit Everest will be our Inspiring Closing Keynote Speaker.

We are hoping to provide both new and experienced counsellors with food for thought and growth.   (As well as some delicious meals).   

We hope to Inspire you and provide an opportunity for some solace as well,  enjoying Banff at its winter best,  with roaring fires,  a glass of wine, Yoga,  some art, and time to connect with each other, nature and yourselves.   Please consider joining us for what we hope will be an outstanding conference. 

Brenda Murray
Conference 2009 Chair
ATA Guidance Council

:: Reference Material ::

"Return to Learn" - At Risk Drug Intervention Support (ARDIS) (.pdf)
An in-school suspension and intervention program for students suspended for drug or alcohol possession or consumption while at school Developed by: Melinda McNie, W.P. Wagner School, Edmonton Public School Board