The ATA Science Council is an organization operated by science teachers for science teachers to promote, support, and enhance the teaching of science in Alberta, Canada. From organizing conferences to looking after professional concerns, we have always worked hard to keep teachers and students as the most important aspects of our mandate.
James Slattery - President
ATA Science Council
The President is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. The President chairs meetings of the executive, serves as the "face" of the council, and is the point of contact for the council and other ATA subgroups. They are a table officer of the council.
James Slattery is a science teacher currently with Edmonton Catholic Schools. He joined the Science Council Executive in 2017 after attending his first science conference in Banff. He served as Member-at-Large from 2017-2018 and has served as Vice President since 2018. He is the proud dog dad of the council mascot Bruce The Chow.
ATA Science Council
The President is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. The President chairs meetings of the executive, serves as the "face" of the council, and is the point of contact for the council and other ATA subgroups. They are a table officer of the council.
James Slattery is a science teacher currently with Edmonton Catholic Schools. He joined the Science Council Executive in 2017 after attending his first science conference in Banff. He served as Member-at-Large from 2017-2018 and has served as Vice President since 2018. He is the proud dog dad of the council mascot Bruce The Chow.
Carryl Bennett - Past-President
ATA Science Council
Carryl is a junior high Science teacher in St. Albert, Alberta. She enjoys travelling, reading, going to movies, hanging out with friends and family, and walking her senior poodle. She has held the positions of Assistant Conference Director, Conference Director and President.
ATA Science Council
Carryl is a junior high Science teacher in St. Albert, Alberta. She enjoys travelling, reading, going to movies, hanging out with friends and family, and walking her senior poodle. She has held the positions of Assistant Conference Director, Conference Director and President.
Julie Arsenault - Vice President
ATA Science Council
Julie fell in love with teaching while completing her MSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Alberta. She is currently a junior high science lead teacher with Edmonton Public Schools and is passionate about learning and sharing with other talented educators from across the country. Julie is excited to tick off "join ATA Science Council" off her professional bucket list!
The Vice President is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. The Vice President assists the President in the operations of the council. They are responsible for the council policy documents and are a table officer of the council.
ATA Science Council
Julie fell in love with teaching while completing her MSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Alberta. She is currently a junior high science lead teacher with Edmonton Public Schools and is passionate about learning and sharing with other talented educators from across the country. Julie is excited to tick off "join ATA Science Council" off her professional bucket list!
The Vice President is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. The Vice President assists the President in the operations of the council. They are responsible for the council policy documents and are a table officer of the council.
Nate Siler - Vice President
ATA Science Council
The Vice President is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. The Vice President assists the President in the operations of the council. They are responsible for the council policy documents and are a table officer of the council.
ATA Science Council
The Vice President is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. The Vice President assists the President in the operations of the council. They are responsible for the council policy documents and are a table officer of the council.
Michelle Savoie - Secretary
ATA Science Council
The Secretary is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They are responsible for minutes and correspondence of the council and assist the President in the operations of the council. They are a table officer of the council.
Michelle Savoie is a grade 6-9 science teacher at Eleanor Hall School in Clyde, Alberta. She lives in Edmonton with her husband and son. When not spending time with her family, she enjoys advocating for our colleagues as the local president for Pembina Hills Local 22. Michelle is in her second term as secretary on the Science Council.
ATA Science Council
The Secretary is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They are responsible for minutes and correspondence of the council and assist the President in the operations of the council. They are a table officer of the council.
Michelle Savoie is a grade 6-9 science teacher at Eleanor Hall School in Clyde, Alberta. She lives in Edmonton with her husband and son. When not spending time with her family, she enjoys advocating for our colleagues as the local president for Pembina Hills Local 22. Michelle is in her second term as secretary on the Science Council.
Jen Just - Treasurer
ATA Science Council
The Treasurer is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They are responsible for overseeing the finances of the council, releasing monies of the council, and assist the President in the operations of the council. They are a table officer of the council.
ATA Science Council
The Treasurer is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They are responsible for overseeing the finances of the council, releasing monies of the council, and assist the President in the operations of the council. They are a table officer of the council.
Betty Fu - Conference Co-Director
ATA Science Council
The Conference Director is responsible for coordinating the planning and running of the annual conference. They are appointed for a one-year term leading up to their conference. Conference Directors have normally served as an assistant conference director before being appointed director.
Betty is a secondary Science teacher with Edmonton Public Schools. She has been on Science Council for three years and is excited to continue to meet and connect with colleagues all over Alberta.
ATA Science Council
The Conference Director is responsible for coordinating the planning and running of the annual conference. They are appointed for a one-year term leading up to their conference. Conference Directors have normally served as an assistant conference director before being appointed director.
Betty is a secondary Science teacher with Edmonton Public Schools. She has been on Science Council for three years and is excited to continue to meet and connect with colleagues all over Alberta.
Pauline Law - Conference Co-Director
ATA Science Council
The Conference Director is responsible for coordinating the planning and running of the annual conference. They are appointed for a one-year term leading up to their conference. Conference Directors have normally served as an assistant conference director before being appointed director.
Pauline is grade 7-12 Science teacher with Edmonton Public Schools. She has been a part of the ATA Science Council for the past 4 years, first as an Assistant Conference Director (2019) Conference Director (2010-2021), and currently serving as Past Conference Director (2022).
ATA Science Council
The Conference Director is responsible for coordinating the planning and running of the annual conference. They are appointed for a one-year term leading up to their conference. Conference Directors have normally served as an assistant conference director before being appointed director.
Pauline is grade 7-12 Science teacher with Edmonton Public Schools. She has been a part of the ATA Science Council for the past 4 years, first as an Assistant Conference Director (2019) Conference Director (2010-2021), and currently serving as Past Conference Director (2022).
Tara Draper - Assistant Conference Director
ATA Science Council
The Assistant Conference Director assists the Conference director in setting up the conference. Typically, the assistant conference director becomes the Conference Director the year afterwards.
ATA Science Council
The Assistant Conference Director assists the Conference director in setting up the conference. Typically, the assistant conference director becomes the Conference Director the year afterwards.
Monica M. Chahal Ph.D. - Journal Editor
ATA Science Council
The Journal Editor’s responsibilities include collating articles and ensuring a double blind review process of submissions. With the ultimate goal of preparing a yearly volume of the “Alberta Education Journal”. The journal is a peer reviewed journal of scholarly articles focused on the discourse of scientific education. This position is appointed by the council for a one-year term.
Monica wears many hats: teacher, editor, advocate, science-fiction fan, tech luddite and french fry lover. She appreciates the time she has had on executive learning about the struggles and wins we all encounter in sharing our passion for science education.
ATA Science Council
The Journal Editor’s responsibilities include collating articles and ensuring a double blind review process of submissions. With the ultimate goal of preparing a yearly volume of the “Alberta Education Journal”. The journal is a peer reviewed journal of scholarly articles focused on the discourse of scientific education. This position is appointed by the council for a one-year term.
Monica wears many hats: teacher, editor, advocate, science-fiction fan, tech luddite and french fry lover. She appreciates the time she has had on executive learning about the struggles and wins we all encounter in sharing our passion for science education.
Rachel Mount - Newsletter Editor
ATA Science Council
The Newsletter Editor is responsible for collecting articles and preparing “The Alberta Science Teacher” newsletter for production and dissemination to council members. The Newsletter Editor is appointed by the council for a one-year term.
Rachel has a Bachelors in Zoology and a Bachelors in Education. She is currently teaching middle school math and science in Edmonton Public School Division. Her passions include ecology, photography, First Nations culture and worldviews, and creating art sculptures from found objects.
ATA Science Council
The Newsletter Editor is responsible for collecting articles and preparing “The Alberta Science Teacher” newsletter for production and dissemination to council members. The Newsletter Editor is appointed by the council for a one-year term.
Rachel has a Bachelors in Zoology and a Bachelors in Education. She is currently teaching middle school math and science in Edmonton Public School Division. Her passions include ecology, photography, First Nations culture and worldviews, and creating art sculptures from found objects.
Bernice Pui - Communications Director
ATA Science Council
The Communications Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They are responsible for overseeing the council website and social media accounts.
Bernice is a secondary science teacher and has served with the Science Council for six years in various roles. She has her Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Education and absolutely loves learning. She is also a bit of technology fanatic both inside and outside the classroom. Finding ways to inspire students and promote critical thinking is another one of her key passions.
ATA Science Council
The Communications Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They are responsible for overseeing the council website and social media accounts.
Bernice is a secondary science teacher and has served with the Science Council for six years in various roles. She has her Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Education and absolutely loves learning. She is also a bit of technology fanatic both inside and outside the classroom. Finding ways to inspire students and promote critical thinking is another one of her key passions.
Peter Rehak - Elementary Director
ATA Science Council
The Elementary Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of elementary teachers on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include the elementary grade levels.
Peter has been teaching division two and three students in rural and urban locations across Alberta. He began teaching in a three-room school house instructing grades 4 to 6 in the morning and Junior High in the afternoon. Being flexible and proficient in multiple subject areas was a necessary skill to quickly develop. Inspiring and promoting self-discovery have been mainstays of his lessons. Using technology and science in the classroom have helped him identify and develop student passions.
ATA Science Council
The Elementary Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of elementary teachers on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include the elementary grade levels.
Peter has been teaching division two and three students in rural and urban locations across Alberta. He began teaching in a three-room school house instructing grades 4 to 6 in the morning and Junior High in the afternoon. Being flexible and proficient in multiple subject areas was a necessary skill to quickly develop. Inspiring and promoting self-discovery have been mainstays of his lessons. Using technology and science in the classroom have helped him identify and develop student passions.
Amanda Green - Division III Director
The Division III Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of their area on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include the physical sciences.
The Division III Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of their area on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include the physical sciences.
Danika White - Division IV Director (Biological and General Sciences)
ATA Science Council
The Division IV Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of their area on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include biological and general sciences.
Danika has been teaching for the past 10 years primarily in high school Biology, Chemistry, and General Sciences. She is a certified yoga instructor and offers a yoga option for high school students as a locally developed course. As a former entomologist, she shares her love for insects with her students (and anybody else who is too polite to tell her to stop) and tries to incorporate this passion as much as she can into her lessons. She loves gardening and despite her athletic abilities enjoys playing on various recreational sports teams.
ATA Science Council
The Division IV Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of their area on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include biological and general sciences.
Danika has been teaching for the past 10 years primarily in high school Biology, Chemistry, and General Sciences. She is a certified yoga instructor and offers a yoga option for high school students as a locally developed course. As a former entomologist, she shares her love for insects with her students (and anybody else who is too polite to tell her to stop) and tries to incorporate this passion as much as she can into her lessons. She loves gardening and despite her athletic abilities enjoys playing on various recreational sports teams.
Thomas Dykstra - Division IV Director (Physical Sciences)
ATA Science Council
The Division IV Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of their area on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include the physical sciences.
ATA Science Council
The Division IV Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They work to represent the interests of their area on the council, and assist in ensuring resources, conference sessions, and other council activities include the physical sciences.
Leon Lau - External Relations Director
ATA Science Council
The External Relations Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They serve as point of contact between the council and external groups such as "Let's Talk Science", the "National Science Teaching Association", and other groups.
Leon is a high school science teacher in Calgary. He has served in the Science Council in various roles since 2010. He has hosted PD working group sessions and presented to local convention and specialist council conferences.
ATA Science Council
The External Relations Director is elected by the Council at the AGM every two years. They serve as point of contact between the council and external groups such as "Let's Talk Science", the "National Science Teaching Association", and other groups.
Leon is a high school science teacher in Calgary. He has served in the Science Council in various roles since 2010. He has hosted PD working group sessions and presented to local convention and specialist council conferences.
Kerry Rose Ph.D. - Post-Secondary Representative
ATA Science Council
The Post-Secondary Representative is a faculty member from a post-secondary institution in Alberta. They are appointed by the Council Executive for a one-year term. They assist the council and facilitate communication and partnership with post-secondary institutions in the province.
ATA Science Council
The Post-Secondary Representative is a faculty member from a post-secondary institution in Alberta. They are appointed by the Council Executive for a one-year term. They assist the council and facilitate communication and partnership with post-secondary institutions in the province.