Alec Walker 🏳️‍⚧️ (he/him)

@smartalecw.bsky.social

622 Followers 863 Following

🙃 Substitute Teacher | Union Miniboss | Intersectional Feminist 💚 Knitting & Crafts | Geeky Things | Volunteering 🇨🇦 I live, work, & play on Treaty 6 territory, specifically amiskwaciwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ)

A screenshot of Google maps with the terrain overlay, showing the Alberta legislature grounds. The building is at the bottom of the image, and the image centered on the stone surface to the North. The raised stone surface was once a fountain.
A zoomed in view of the bottom left corner of the above photo, which obviously is a goose.
A gif from the tv series "From," Boyd, a black man, is facing away from the camera and hugging Donna, a white woman. Donna is crying, saying, "oh oh I'm so fucking scared."
A map of Canada showing each province or territory with a colour indicating Living Preference, from Red to Green. Red (Never): Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut Dark Orange (Reluctantly): Newfoundland & Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan Light Orange (Maybe): New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia Light Green (Willing): Alberta Dark Green (Absolutely): None
Three hand-knit dice bags. Two are beige, Bag-A has a dark teal cord while Bag-B has a royal blue cord. Bag-C is in trans pride colours with a gray cord. Each bag was knit in the round with a triangular bottom using double-pointed needles. The drawstring/cord is a knitted icord enclosed by a modified hemmed edge. Bag-A's bottom two-thirds is a broken rib pattern and the top third is plain stockinette. Bag-B's bottom half is seed stitch while the top half is plain stockinette. Bag-C's bottom half is seed stitch and the top half is broken rib.
A picture of Sir Isaac Mewton, a long-haired black cat. He is lying on top of a person's torso, facing the camera.
A screenshot that reads, "Here is the message we will send" Screenshot one of two, 136 words in the message in total. "I am extremely frustrated by your decision to legislate teachers back to work without addressing any of our concerns about class size or classroom conditions. Teachers have been doing everything they can to hold your underfunded public education system together. We deserve a fair deal. We deserve a deal that respects our right to bargain collectively. And we deserve a fair deal that commits to meaningful improvements to classroom conditions."
A screenshot of an email received 2025/Oct/28 at 17:03. Sent from ATA communications. Header includes the "Stop the Excuses" and ATA logos. Email text: We know that as teachers, you’re not happy with the UCP government. Teachers fully condemn the Government of Alberta’s recent decision to violate the collective bargaining and democratic rights of Alberta teachers. This action defies one of the fundamental democratic charter rights of all Canadians. Danielle Smith and her Ministers need to know that you’re deeply disappointed. They need to know that teachers still deserve a real, fair deal. That’s why we’ve drafted an email you can send to them, letting them know that you won’t be doing anything more until they address the important issues that teachers have raised over the course of this strike. Teachers are returning to work under protest and while they will abide by the law, they will do nothing more until teachers’ legitimate grievances and aspirations are addressed. Click here to send your email. We need to let them know that teachers are standing together. Jason Schilling President, ATA There's a large yellow button at the bottom that reads, "Send your email now"
A screenshot of the "Front Burner" episode dated 2025/Oct/31 entitled "Is Alberta headed for a general strike?" The episode is 27 minutes long. Description: Earlier this week Danielle Smith’s UCP government forced teachers back to work after a a three week strike using the notwithstanding clause. This prevents the Alberta Teachers' Association from challenging the legislation in court. In response, the Alberta Federation of Labour announced that the wheels are in motion for a possible general strike by the province's unions. Provincial affairs reporter for CBC Edmonton, Janet French, walks us through how these negotiations got to this point, what’s at stake for teachers, students and the government and where this fight could be headed.
A screenshot of an episode of "The Line: Alberta Podcast" dated 2025/Oct/29 entitled "Travers strike ends, but remains escalate - What the back-to-work legislation means." The episode is 36 minutes long. Description: In this week’s episode of The Line: Alberta Podcast, Rob Breakenridge takes a closer look at the Alberta government’s decision to introduce back-to-work legislation.
A screenshot of the "Alberta at Noon" episode dated 2025/Oct/28 entitled "Teachers legislated back to work." The episode is 52 minutes long. Description: Teachers have been legislated back to work. The Notwithstanding clause was invoked. There is speculation about a bigger labour action in response. Was it time for the provincial government to end the strike, or did it go too far?
A picture of Alec with long hair, wearing his folk fest hat. Hair is up in a high ponytail and reaches the front of his neck. He looks tired, sad, and empty.
A screenshot of the episode description for the "This Is Edmonton" episode dated 2025/Oct/29 and entitled "Edmonton teachers are sent back to school. So what now?" The episode is 23 minutes long. Description: This week, the Alberta government fast-tracked Bill 2, the Back to School Act, which sends about 750,000 students and 50,000 teachers back to the classroom. It ended a contract dispute and three weeks of job action, invoking the notwithstanding clause to do it. CBC reporter Emma Zhao joins host Clare Bonnyman to break down what’s in the bill and reaction to it. Plus, an Edmonton psychologist talks about taking care of teachers, parents and students during uncertain times.
A picture of Alec taken the morning of 2025/Oct/28. He's wearing his red toque and scarf, as well as a large sign that reads "Teachers' working conditions MATTER." Behind Alec, you can see many demonstrators wearing red, carrying signs, and marching along the overpass at Whitemud and 111 Street in Edmonton.
Will the Association support a continuation of strike action and/or work-to-rule by Alberta Teachers? In Alberta, in the absence of a legal strike mandate, a work-to-rule may constitute a strike. As such, and given the imminent passage and coming into force of Bill 2, the Association cannot authorize or support a work-to-rule. We will instruct teachers to return to their classrooms, abide by the conditions of their employment, meet their professional obligations and maintain any formal commitments they have made.
A tweet by Gil Gowan (@gilmcgowan) My message to Alberta teachers is simple: you will not stand alone. Tomorrow all other Alberta unions will meet to finalize a plan for unprecedented collective action. The executive Council of the Canadian Labour Congress will also meet in emergency session.
A foam board sign that reads, "teachers' working conditions matter" in black sharpie. "Teachers" and "matter" are emphasized with red. "Matter" is also written in all capital letters. The top left corner has the first date of protest, 2025/Oct/23. In each of the top corners, a single hole has been punched.
A picture of a red cord on a green background. The cord was made by dismantling two lanyards. Each lanyard end is tied to the middle of the other lanyard, allowing the length of the cord to be lengthened and shortened. At the end of each lanyard, there is a large metal ring, like the kind used in 3-ring binders.
A screenshot of the beginning of the linked article. It reads, Edmonton - Alberta teachers and students are returning to classrooms Wednesday after the provincial government moved to end the province-wide teachers strike with back-to-work legislation and a renewed focus on classroom complexity. Bill 2, called the Back to School Act, imposes a four-year agreement covering about 51,000 public, separate, and Francophone school teachers. The province says the terms match a memorandum of understanding reached Sept. 23 been the Travelers Employer Bargaining Association and the Alberta Teachers Association. Teachers later rejected those terms in a province-wide vote. The legislation invoked the notwithstanding clause to prevent Charter challenges and halt further job action. The government says Alberta's two-tier bargaining structure creates the risk of rolling local strikes in 61 school divisions once central bargaining ends. Teachers who fail to comply with the order to return to classrooms can be fined up to 500 dollars per day. The ATA or its locals can be... The screenshot cuts off the rest of the article.
A Facebook post by Edmonton Public Teachers Local of the Alberta Teachers Association. Caption: If you want to watch the Legislative session tomorrow and want some company and to feel some solidarity while watching, come hang out at the Strike Headquarters and be among friends! #EdPub #Local37 #StandTogether #DemandBetter Image Description: A red image of the Alberta Legislature with large white text that reads, Watch Party Back to School Act Monday, 1:30 to 6 pm Barnett House, Auditorium The logos for Edmonton Public Teachers Local and Edmonton Catholic Teachers Local are in the bottom corners.
A Facebook post by Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, dated 2025/Oct/24. It reads, BREAKING: Alberta unions warn Premier Danielle Smith: unprecedented use of the Notwithstanding Clause against workers will result in an unprecedented response from unions in defence of worker rights. At an emergency meeting held today at 5:00pm (MT), the Common Front, an umbrella group for all Alberta unions, leaders unanimously endorsed the following message to Premier Danielle Smith. Dear Premier Smith, On behalf of the more than 350,000 working Albertans who we represent, we urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to rule out the use of the Notwithstanding Clause as part of your government’s approach to the teachers’ strike. Invoking the clause would be unprecedented in the history of Canadian labour relations. It would also escalate the situation from a confrontation between your government and the teachers to a confrontation between you and the entire Canadian labour movement. If governments start using the Notwithstanding Clause as a tool in their dealings with workers and unions, it will make a mockery of the constitutionally protected right to strike. Without a robust and reliable right to strike, worker bargaining power will be eroded, and with it, the wages and living standards of all Canadian workers. If you take this unprecedented approach, we will have no choice but to mobilize an unprecedented response. There are many avenues your government could pursue to negotiate with public sector unions that do not involve invoking the Notwithstanding Clause. We urge you to choose them. Signed by all the unions of the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Alberta Common Front
A picture of a protest sign, dated 2025/Oct/23 In black text, the sign reads "Teachers' working conditions matter" There is red for emphasis on "teachers" "matter"
A drone image of the protest 2025/Oct/23 showing the Alberta legislature building and grounds, anisotropy crammed full of demonstrators wearing red. Photo credit to @ColossalCreates
A short video panning the crowd in front of the Alberta legislature building 2025/Oct/23. Tens of thousands gathered. There's Zumba music playing and the demonstrators are dancing.
A selfie of Alec taken in front of the Alberta Legislature building 2025/Oct/23. He's wearing his folk fest hat, a red scarf with a button that reads "I stand for well-funded & accessible public education." You can see other demonstrators behind him, including a sign with a dumpster fire on it.
A digital poster entitled "Fight for Public Education" Includes red and white graphics drawing the eye towards an image taken with a drone of the Legislature building during the last public education rally. Date: October 23 (in red) Time: 2pm - 4pm (in white) Location: Legislature of Alberta (in red) Arrive between 1:30 - 2:00 pm (in white) Make some noise on the north steps during the speech from the throne! (in white) At the bottom of the poster, there are logos for the Edmonton Catholic and Edmonton Public Locals of the Alberta Teachers Association.
A woman in black and white points to the black text, which reads "there is no plan to fix anything because the plan was to destroy everything."
A pile of 30+ buttons/pins that Alec has made (and plans to give away). Each is different. Sayings include; "Education finding just keep pace with inflation and growth" "that helpful union guy" "Solidarity! Stand up together" "The union makes us strong" "Raise a little hell" "Introverted but willing to discuss workers' rights" "Proud to be union" "Fight for those without your privilege"
A picture of demonstrators in Edmonton at 112 Ave and Gretzky, taken the morning of 2025/Oct/22. Dozens of demonstrators march along the overpass, dressed in red, carrying signs and flags.
A picture of demonstrators on the Gretzky overpass on 112 Ave. A red inflatable frog holds a sign that reads "honk for public education." Picture taken 2025/Oct/21.
A picture of the overpass showing demonstrators walking away from the camera. At least half a dozen people are visible, wearing red, and carrying signs and flags. It's still early in the morning, the sun is just starting to rise.
A video of Alec taken 2025/Oct/18. Alec is sitting at his desk and telling his education story.
A blonde woman in a wedding dress sits outside on stone steps. She is absolutely covered in blood and is staring off in the distance. You can see the building behind her is on fire. It's a still from the end of "Ready Or Not", when the main character sits to have a cigarette.
An infographic titled "What did the ATA propose?" Graphic created 2025/Oct/18 == The Letter The ATA proposed a letter of understanding (LOU) on classroom complexity and student-teacher ratios (STR). The purpose was to establish a province-wide framework to ensure that classroom conditions are manageable, safe, and aligned with the educational needs of all of Alberta's diverse learners. == Phased-in Student-Teacher ratios The framework defines phased-in student-teacher ratios (STR). Only those teachers who are providing direct instruction shall be used in calculating STRs. === Table of Maximum STRs School Year // K-3 // 4-6 // 7-9 // 10-12 2025/26 // 26:1 // 32:1 // 34:1 // 36:1 2026/27 // 23:1 // 29:1 // 31:1 // 33:1 2027/28 // 20:1 // 26:1 // 28:1 // 30:1 2028/29 // 17:1 // 23:1 // 25:1 // 27:1 The 2028/29 school year would see class sizes meet the guidelines recommended by the 2003 Commission on Learning. == Weighted Complexity The STR shall be weighted for complexity so that more complex classrooms have fewer students. === Table of Weights Category // Weight // Description Typical learner // 1.00 // no identified additional supports High-incidence/low-cost exceptionality // 1.50 // Mild/moderate disability, English Language Learners (ELL), francization, or behavioural designation Low-incidence/high-cost exceptionality // 2.00 // Severe or multiple disability, complex medical or behavioural needs Refugee/newcomer (less than or equal to 2 years in Canada) // 1.50 // Requires cultural and language transition supports Gifted (Code 80) // 1.25 // Requires enrichment or individualized programming Students (currently or ought to be) receiving supports // 1.50 // As defined by Alberta Education; students who require supports and intervention
A screenshot of the LOU proposal by the ATA. It reads, "Letter of Understanding on Classroom Complexity and Student-Teacher Ratios (STR) Bargaining Between The Alberta Teachers’ Association and The Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association Effective September 1, 2025 1. Purpose This Letter of Understanding establishes a province-wide framework to ensure that classroom conditions are safe, manageable, and aligned with the educational needs of Alberta’s diverse learners. The framework: 1. Defines phased-in student-teacher ratios (STR) weighted for complexity; 2. Requires spring planning and pre-September 30 verification to ensure staffing and class configurations align with projected enrolment and complexity; and 3. Provides a tiered appeal process for circumstances where actual class composition exceeds prescribed STRs, even after funding allocations are finalized. 2. Phased-In Student-Teacher Ratios (STR)"
An excerpt from the CBC article linked in the parent skeet. It reads, "Depending on enrolment, Saskatchewan schools may get a full- or half-time teacher to support students with complex needs. The province also initiated what it calls specialized support classrooms: small classrooms that offer supportive environments for students who, for example, have behavioural challenges or learning disabilities. Smith alluded to conversations she had with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, saying he told her that he believed agreeing to those classrooms was one of the reasons the parties were able to broker a deal."
A video of Alec sitting at his desk talking about the teachers strike. Dated 2025/Oct/15.
A selfie of Alec Walker, taken the morning of 2025/Oct/09 during a walk in support of Alberta teachers, who are on strike. Alec is standing at the corner of 105 Street NW and River Valley Road NW in Edmonton, AB and you can barely see the Walterdale bridge in the background. Alec is wearing a protest sign which is cut-off by the bottom of the picture. He's wearing a red toque (that reads "public teacher strong") and a red scarf. You can see a sign held by a participant who is to Alec's right, the sign reads, "Fight for Public Education." Behind Alec, there are many other participants wearing red and carrying signs.
A picture taken 2025/Oct/05 of the rally at the Alberta legislature in support of public education. It's estimated that tens of thousands came together in support of lower class sizes, necessary classroom supports, reasonable teacher workloads, and fair compensation.
A picture taken 2025/Oct/05 of the rally at the Alberta legislature in support of public education. It's estimated that tens of thousands came together in support of lower class sizes, necessary classroom supports, reasonable teacher workloads, and fair compensation.
A screenshot of The Globe and Mail website showing a podcast episode. Title is the episode: "Why Alberta teachers are on the cusp of a historic strike" Published by The Decibel Staff, and includes Dave McGinn (Education Reporter) and Sherrill Sutherland. Published 14 hours ago (2025/Oct/03)
A table showing data for four different votes. Columns: Date // Description // Accept // Accept % // Reject // Reject % // Abstain // Total Votes // Turnout // Registered 2025 Sept 29 // Memorandum of Agreement // 4479 // 10.5% // 38113 // 89.5% // 770 // 43362 // 94% // 46130 2025 June 10 // Strike Vote // 36862 // 94.5% // 1552 // 4.0% // 583 // 38997 // ND (No Data) // ND 2025 May 27 // Authorization Vote // 37510 // 99.5% // ND // ND // ND // 37717 // 85% // 44458 2025 May 05 // Mediator's Recommendations // 13517 // 37.9% // 22300 // 62.5% // 158 // 35817 // 81% // 44183
Appears to be a tweet, posted by Peter Guthrie, user @PeterGuthrie99. 3h ago (from screenshot) Quality education is the foundation of Alberta's future. This teachers' strike isn't just about pay - it's about years of neglect that have left classrooms overcrowded, complex needs unsupported, and students falling through the cracks. Families see it every day, and teachers are sounding the alarm. Instead of working towards solutions, the UCP has chosen to drag negotiations into the public domain, escalating conflict and shifting their story to suit the day's narrative. Rather than bargain in his faith, they've launched an advertising war - using taxpayer dollars to sell spin instead of investing in schools. It's another example of choosing division over resolution - a pattern Albertans know all too well. Teachers aren't asking for luxuries. They're asking for the basics every child deserves: smaller classes, manageable workloads, real in-class support, and respect for the profession.
A line graph from Angus Reid, Smith's approval rate since 2022 election: 2022/Dec - 42% Point 2 - 46% Point 3 - 45% Point 4 - 47% 2023/Dec - 47% Point 6 - 47% Point 7 - 45% Point 8 - 46% 2024/Dec - 45% Point 10 - 46% Point 11 - 51% 2025/Sep - 46% Poll conducted Aug.28 to Sept.5 among 4,045 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum. Darren Francey / PostMedia
Meme: Regina George from "Mean Girls" Top text: "so you agree" Bottom text: "TEBA does have a mandate to negotiate class size, complexity, and supports"
Alberta Teacher Tales FB Post Dated 2025/Sep/11 (5 days ago) 1.1K reacts, 110 comments, and 99 shares The post reads, "Stay the course teachers." The included graphic has a red background (#Red4EdAB) with black text that reads, "No one is coming to save us. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We need to stand up and fight for a brighter future for ourselves and for our students. When we fight, we win."
A meme from Mean Girls showing Regina George sitting in the cafeteria. Top text: "So you agree" Bottom text: "TEBA does have a mandate to negotiate class size, complexity, and supports"
A screenshot of the title card of the chapter/conversation with Judith Butler. It's titled "On Humanity, Violence, and Imagination." The conversation is dated 2021/Apr/29. The chapter is the second in "Palestine in a World on Fire," which was put together by Katherine Natanel and Ilan PappĂŠ.
Initial tumblr post by user girlballs: "hey girl awesome pussy. it looks like it was expensive" Reblog by girlballs: A screenshot of a tag that reads: #luckily no given it was covered by insurance "hey girl awesome pussy. it looks like a shining example of your country's functional healthcare system Reblog by girlballs: A screenshot of a tag that reads: #well I still have up wait a year for my turn and I'm sure the only reason I didn't encounter any gatekeeping is because I'm skinny [sweating and talking notes] "hey girl awesome pussy. it looks nuanced and complicated
A picture of Nicolaus Copurrrrrrnicus, a nine-year-old tuxedo cat.
A pair of hand-knit socks, with the yellow sock closest to the camera. A cat's feet are visible in the background. The yellow sock has a broken seed stitch pattern that only goes along the front.
A screenshot from "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" with a social media post pasted over top. The image shows a group of characters cheering in the bar. One character, Rom the Ferengi, is in front of the others. Behind Rom, you can see Leeta, his love interest, cheering enthusiastically right behind him. The social media post: by holly @girlziplocked "Guys, it's not that hard to impress a woman. Just start a union. Be the guy who unionized his workplace. It's a huge turn on. Women love it."
A bar graph from the ATA showing the total number of students per educator by province (2021/22). QC: 8.36 NL: 11.57 NB: 11.97 PE: 12.00 Canadian average: 12.15 NS: 13.00 ON: 13.17 MB: 13.79 BC: 14.11 SK: 15.01 AB: 16.78 (Educator includes teachers, administrators, and classroom support staff) Alberta's education workforce is just three-quarters the size of the national average.
A picture of an in-progress knitted sock, folded to show the side of the sock. The knitter is using "Socks for Everybody" by Allison Griffith (for Knit Picks) for this project.
A hand-knit sock in progress. The sock is knit in fingering yarn and I'm about halfway done the foot. The sock is being knit on double-pointed needles (dpns). The toe box was knit in plain stockinette and the top of the foot has a broken seed stitch pattern. The toes were shaped using slanted increases, so that the toe box is angular. The yarn is knit picks stroll in a gradient; it's going to go from bright yellow (pictured) to light yellow, to white, to light gray.
A selfie of Alec Walker taken at Edmonton's 2025 Pride festival. He's wearing glasses, a blue shirt, green beads, and his favourite EFMF hat with a trans pin that reads, "making myself up as I go along". There's a trans pride flag tucked into the back of the hat.
The description for the Okotoks Podcast episode "Will Alberta Schools Open This Fall?" Released 2025/Aug/20. Is Alberta’s education system on the brink? Carlin Lutzer sits down with David Tait, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association Foothills Local 16, to break down the simmering crisis in Alberta’s schools. With teacher contracts still unresolved and potential job action looming, they dig into why educators are speaking out—not just for pay, but for classroom conditions, student safety, and sustainable teaching environments. From overcrowded classrooms and rising student aggression to underfunded schools and a curriculum lacking resources, David reveals the deep-rooted challenges that are pushing passionate educators to the brink. This candid conversation unpacks what’s really at stake for students, families, and the future of Alberta’s public education.
A dozen Edmonton folk fest buttons, made by Alec. There are four with the folk fest logo, a couple that say "folkie" with and without the logo, and a couple that say "see you on the hill" with and without the logo.
Black text on a white background that reads, "Stop saying it's a 'conflict' or 'crisis,' it's literally genocide."
A long hallway that has a light in the middle and another in the distance. There is an exit sign before the light, just past a speaker. On the left wall, there is an inlaid panel. The walls are pink, while the door at the end of the hall is a teal. The concrete floor reflects the light. There are a pair of pipes going along the right side of the ceiling and a single pipe along the left side.