Alberta Teachers' Survey Reveals Deepening Crisis in Education System
Three months after the conclusion of a historic province-wide strike, Alberta teachers are reporting unprecedented levels of stress and burnout, according to a comprehensive new survey from their professional association. The findings paint a troubling picture of an education system in crisis, with teachers' faith in their profession's future dwindling rapidly.
Survey Details and Methodology
The Alberta Teachers' Association conducted its Fall 2025 Pulse Research Survey between November 21 and December 5, 2025, gathering responses from approximately 5,700 teachers and teacher leaders across the province. This survey period occurred just two months after teachers were ordered back to classrooms when Premier Danielle Smith invoked the notwithstanding clause to end their job action.
Alarming Statistics on Teacher Well-being
The survey results reveal staggering numbers that underscore the severity of the situation. A remarkable 95 percent of respondents reported feeling stressed in their professional roles, while 94 percent expressed pessimism about the future of the teaching profession in Alberta. These figures echo previous research, including a 2025 TELUS survey that identified Alberta teachers as the most stressed among developed countries surveyed.
Equally concerning is the staffing situation revealed by the survey. Some 86 percent of teachers indicated that no additional staff had been hired at their schools, while another 7 percent reported actually seeing a decrease in staffing levels at their educational institutions.
Rising Classroom Complexity Across Alberta
ATA President Jason Schilling emphasized that classroom complexity is increasing dramatically throughout the province. "Complexity is rising across every grade and every part of the province and in every measure, including social emotional needs, behavioral challenges, cognitive gaps and language learning needs," Schilling stated.
He provided a concrete example to illustrate the problem: A typical Grade 4 classroom in Alberta should ideally have 23 to 25 students. However, when factoring in learning delays, behavioral challenges, language acquisition needs, and mental health concerns, teachers are effectively managing workloads equivalent to 37 students without receiving additional staff or support resources.
Government Response and Teacher Frustration
Schilling placed responsibility squarely on government shoulders, noting that 86 days had passed since the government's decision to invoke the notwithstanding clause and force teachers back to work without addressing the core issues that prompted their job action. "Forcing teachers to return to the same unsustainable working environments has significantly eroded health, mental health, morale and job satisfaction, causing long-term harm to the profession," Schilling declared during a Thursday afternoon announcement.
The ATA president expressed frustration that despite Premier Smith's assurances that teachers' concerns had been heard and would be addressed upon their return to classrooms, educators are not feeling assured. "The premier and the minister of education must move from statements of concern to measurable action," Schilling insisted. "They cannot continue to rely on the dedication of teachers while failing to give them the tools and support that they need to do their job safely and effectively."
Broader Implications for Alberta Education
The survey findings suggest that the sweeping province-wide strike, which represented an unprecedented message from Alberta's teaching professionals, has yet to be heeded by government officials. Schilling warned that "promises without action have consequences, and those consequences are now visible in our classrooms across Alberta."
Increasing classroom complexity combined with recent government decisions were cited in the ATA survey as primary reasons for the unprecedented levels of stress and pessimism among educators. The situation represents a significant challenge for Alberta's education system, with potential long-term implications for student learning outcomes and teacher retention rates across the province.
