Alberta Eyes Law to End Teachers’ Strike Amid Student Stress
As Alberta’s teachers’ strike enters its third week, the government is preparing back-to-work legislation that could send 51,000 teachers and 750,000 students back to class — but not necessarily back to normal.
Premier Danielle Smith has called the ongoing strike an “intolerable hardship” for families, signaling that her government could introduce legislation as early as next week to end the provincewide walkout.
For many teachers, the return would be bittersweet.
“I’m happy to return because the kids need me,” said Jennifer Black, an English teacher from Calgary. “But I’m unhappy because nothing has changed.”
‘Hopeless and Demoralized’
Black said many teachers will head back to classrooms feeling defeated, with no progress made on key bargaining issues such as classroom overcrowding and support for complex student needs.
“Teachers will go back demoralized and worried about their students,” she said. “The government has created this feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.”
She added that the emotional impact on students has been profound. Some have missed early university application deadlines due to the disruption, while others are uncertain whether they can catch up in time for the next round.
“We’ll have to be very serious, very focused — it’s going to be utilitarian,” Black said.
Personal Toll Beyond the Classroom
The disruption has also severed critical relationships between teachers and vulnerable students.
Black described one of her students, a 16-year-old who became homeless over the summer, as someone who relied heavily on her teachers for support.
“I bought her a rice cooker. We got her bus tickets to get to school,” she said. “I think about her every day. I have no idea how she’s been these last four weeks.”
Academic Setback Looms
Maren Aukerman, a professor of education at the University of Calgary, said the academic recovery won’t be immediate once schools reopen.
“It’ll be like starting the school year all over again,” she said. “Kids who’ve been out for weeks don’t return to exactly where they left off.”
Aukerman warned that returning teachers will face more pressure and burnout, conditions that can directly affect student learning outcomes.
“Research shows that stressed, unsupported teachers can’t help students as effectively — and academic achievement suffers,” she said.
Classroom Pressures Unresolved
The Alberta Teachers’ Association has been pushing for smaller class sizes and more classroom support staff, citing growing complexities in public education.
Aukerman said that unless these issues are addressed, even the resumption of classes won’t restore stability.
“Teachers who are under enormous stress can’t provide the kind of learning environment students need,” she said.
Rebuilding Trust and Stability
Experts urge both teachers and schools to focus on communication when classes resume.
“Kids are going to be confused about what happened,” Aukerman said. “Teachers need to make space to answer questions and ensure students don’t get lost in the frenzy to catch up.”
For educators like Jennifer Black, that may be easier said than done.
“We’ll be back,” she said. “But it’s hard to teach hope when you don’t feel it yourself.”