By TERRY PUGH
They’re back in the saddle again.
Several hundred Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) teachers got together on Wednesday, August 27 to lay the groundwork for the upcoming school year.
The annual Prairie Spirit Teachers Association (PSTA) fall assembly at Warman High School (WHS) saw teachers from across the school division gather to talk shop in advance of the beginning of classes September 2.
PSSD Director of Education Tracey Young told the teachers packed into the WHS gym that the school division’s theme for the 2025-26 academic year is ‘this is how we learn together’ – a continuation of the division’s focus from 2024-25.
“We chose to stick to the same theme because it resonates deeply with our school division’s mission, vision, and strategic plan,” said Young in her address to the crowd. (The PSSD mission is ‘inspiring a lifelong love of learning’ and its vision is ‘Learners for life.’) “Learning together is not just a catchy phrase. It’s a lived experience in our classrooms, staff rooms and communities.”
Young said there are many examples of how students learn through “collaboration, innovation and resilience.”
“I was recently in a Grade 12 classroom where students were discussing highly-sensitive, well-researched global issues with passion, and most importantly, a careful concern for differing opinions,” said Young. “There were tensions and disagreements, but they remained civil and kind. They were being taught, and were learning, to discuss ideas in a way that respected other people’s views. This is how we learn together.”
Young said when education professionals work together, they have a greater positive impact on students’ learning.
PSSD Board of Education Chair Kate Kading told the crowd the beginning of a new academic year is an exciting time because it’s filled with optimism. She noted that “teamwork makes the dream work” and encouraged teachers to keep a positive attitude and support each other.
“What people who aren’t involved in education see is the tip of the iceberg,” said Kading. “It is glittery and beautiful on top. But there’s a big part of the iceberg that you don’t see. That part is also beautiful and strong, but it’s also a little bit bumpy and jagged, and in reality it’s made up of things like difficult conversations, and wins and losses. And mostly it’s made up of that positive support that we give each other each and every single day. That’s what education is all about.
“And as we launch into a new school year we have that opportunity to look at the glittering top of the iceberg and give each other a little high-five in the hallway; a little gesture that says teamwork makes the dream work.”
The keynote speaker at the morning session of the PSTA fall assembly was Dr. Alec Couros, professor of educational technology and media at the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education He outlined the emerging benefits and challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom.
Couros noted that Generative AI differs from conventional ‘predictive AI’ in that it creates content rather than simply providing suggestions based on the user’s past preferences. He stated that Generative AI tools and apps are becoming increasingly sophisticated. He encouraged teachers to educate themselves and each other on the technology to be better able to handle its increasing use in coming years.