The BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is seeking three teachers to participate as part of a Ministry of Education and Child Care, BC Children’s Hospital’s Health Promotion and Health Literacy team and Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre resource development team.
BCTF members selected will represent the BCTF as follows:
| Grades K–7 |
1 |
| Grades 8–12 |
1 |
| School Counsellor |
1 |
Context
In the 2024–25 school year, the BC Children’s Hospital’s Health Promotion and Health Literacy team and Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre are working with the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care, and in collaboration with other partners, to develop a mental health and substance use language guide for K–12 families in BC school communities.
This guide aims to help build a common understanding of mental health language, improve mental health literacy, and reduce stigma. It also seeks to bridge conversations about mental health in school communities by helping build a common understanding of terminology and principles related to mental health and substance use between families and school professionals.
The guide will be a companion resource to the previously developed Language Matters! An Introductory Guide for Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use resource for educators and school communities.
To facilitate this work, BC Children’s Hospital has requested that teachers be involved in the project development. They are seeking individuals in the following two categories:
- School Counsellor Representative:
One BCTF-appointed school counsellor will be part of the advisory group to provide expert advice to the project manager. The time commitment will be approximately one to two hours per month between October 2024 and April 2025.
- Classroom Teachers Representatives:
Two BCTF-appointed classroom teachers (one K–7 and one 8–12) will review and provide feedback on the draft guide. The time commitment for reviewing the guide will be approximately 10 to 20 hours, starting in December 2024.
Term and remuneration
The term of appointment will be from October 2024 to April 2025. Participating members will be compensated at a rate of $50/hour for this work.
Selection criteria
- active BCTF membership status
- awareness of the role and responsibilities of representing the BCTF and the teaching profession, including the ability to work collaboratively in a co-constructive team environment and meet deadlines
- experience and expertise in the following areas:
- providing mental health literacy and substance use education to K–12 students and their families
- an understanding of knowledge gaps related to mental health and substance use among K–12 families
- familiarity with the Language Matters! resource.
- relevant teaching experience and expertise that can contribute to the success of the project
- balance of diversity—gender, Aboriginal, regional representation, etc., will be sought.
Deadline for applications: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
(late applications will not be accepted)
To apply
Complete the online CV form
Email your application to applications@bctf.ca
Direct enquiries to:
Grahame Rainey, BC Teachers’ Federation, government-liaison@bctf.ca
604-871-1845 or 1-800-663-9163, local 1845
An applicant may wish to provide, on a voluntary basis, information as to whether they self-identify as a member of an equity-seeking group.