Saskatchewan teachers observe parliamentary process in action.

AuthorNeudorf, Eric
PositionEssay

Now in its 18th year, the Saskatchewan Teachers' Institute on Parliamentary Democracy has given nearly three hundred teachers from across province the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the political system by observing it in action. Through meetings with the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, Ministers, Caucus leaders, Whips, and Chairs, as well as with Private Members, media and the judiciary, the non-partisan professional development program provides teachers with an all-encompassing overview of the realities of democracy and its importance in our society, thereby equipping them with valuable knowledge to convey the issues and intricacies of modern Parliament to their students. The Institute also promotes the sharing of ideas, resources and methodologies for teaching about parliamentary democracy with fellow participants. In this article, the author recounts his experience as a teacher-in-training who participated in a recent edition of the program.

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When former Speaker Glenn Hagel launched the first Saskatchewan Teachers' Institute (SSTI) on Parliamentary Democracy in 1999, he created an opportunity for teachers to gain an unparalleled view into the parliamentary process. Prior to my own participation in the program, I had an avid interest in politics for years and had been to the Saskatchewan Legislature several times before; but the SSTI was an eye-opening experience for me.

The chance to observe what occurs behind the scenes in the Legislature is almost impossible to access except though this program, and there was much to learn from the opportunity. The divisions between the three branches of government--legislative, executive, and judicial--were clearly demarcated; I learned about the important roles non-elected officials hold in the process; and I observed the careful planning and cooperation required to make Saskatchewan's government an effective entity. All participants concluded that the SSTI is arguably the best professional development available in Saskatchewan. It should not be missed by any educator who wants to learn how to better teach their students what it means to be an engaged citizen.

The five day Teachers' Institute proceeded at a rapid pace with a steady schedule of tours, briefings, and seminars. A Ministry of Education employee, Brent Toles, served as our guide and liaison during the Institute; he also led sessions on how to navigate the social studies curriculum by maximizing the use of materials available in the Ministry's extensive database. Teachers were also introduced to the cofounder of Student Vote Canada, Taylor Gunn, who led a session on youth engagement which provided outstanding materials for running mock elections and more. As the week progressed, teachers were briefed by professionals representing all roles and party affiliations on their functions within Saskatchewan's Legislative Assembly. These sessions culminated in a mock parliament, performed in the same Chamber where the MLAs themselves assemble, and presided over by Dan D'Autremont, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The Institute was masterfully scaffolded so that by the time we entered the mock parliament all teachers understood the various roles they were playing and the rules to which they were required to adhere. The session was recorded for future use with our students, and abundant related teaching materials were provided. In all, the Institute created an experience which left teachers excited and informed about the parliamentary process and capable of passing on that knowledge and enthusiasm to their students.

Throughout the Institute, teachers were treated with dignity and respect, and they were given the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with parliamentary personnel. To achieve this end, hotel accommodations and meals were provided for the full five days. At the Legislature, MLAs and other professionals, including Ministers and Premier Brad Wall himself, took time from their busy schedules to meet with teachers and, in many cases, to hear their concerns as well. Several MLAs even joined the mock parliament to offer guidance and enjoyed themselves as we did our best impersonations of their debates in Question Period. Banquets hosted by Speaker D'Autremont and the Lieutenant-Governor were run with the same care and attention given to visiting diplomats. Speaker D'Autremont made a particular effort to make us feel welcome by inviting us to his office and joining us for evening socials. Through the relationship-building it promotes, the Institute is more than educational; it is a rare chance to network with teachers, politicians, and other professionals while being treated like an individual with a voice worthy of being heard.

I went to the Saskatchewan Teachers'...

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