Overview
Students are important partners in our education system and Alberta's government believes student voices should play a role in shaping it.
The Minister's Youth Council gives students opportunities to share input and perspectives on provincial programs and initiatives.
Student engagement initiatives:
- empower students as leaders of their learning
- provide opportunities to build positive working relationships with education partners
- engage students as leaders of change in their communities
- support leadership development for students at school and community levels
- honour the capability and capacity of students to engage as authentic education partners
Minister’s Youth Council
The Minister’s Youth Council consists of about 40 junior and senior high students with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives from all regions of Alberta. Students on the council provide their perspectives on a number of education topics.
Students are members of the Minister’s Youth Council for a 10-month term that aligns with the school year. During the school year, the council attends three meetings. Meetings typically occur in-person, but are currently being held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recruitment
Recruitment for the 2022/23 council is now complete.
Each council contains a minimum of 32 new members and a maximum of 8 returning members.
Eligibility
Students in Alberta are able to apply if they meet the following criteria:
- Junior or senior high school student between the ages of 14 and 19 as of September 1 of that year
- Able to commit to 3 weekend meetings during the school year in the fall, winter and spring
Factsheet
Minister's Youth Council Fact Sheet
2021/22 Members
Shaaf Babar
Fort McMurray School Division
Nick Bazhanov
Calgary School Division
Andrew Beingessner
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School
Erin Berry
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate School Division
Harry Brar
Tempo School
Amanda Brouwer
Central Alberta Christian High School Society
Justin Brown
Renert School Foundation
Grace Churchill
Pembina Hills School Division
Sarah Clark
Calgary School Division
Hamna Daud
Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Separate School Division
Cameron Davies
Rundle College Society
Katherine Dennis
West Island College Society of Alberta
Mikka Doll
Medicine Hat Roman Catholic Separate School Division
Lexis Elliott
Wild Rose School Division
Lu Fraser-Suarez
Edmonton School Division
Morgan Gillis
Lakeland Roman Catholic Separate School Division
Chloe Goodwin
Palliser School Division
Damian Gryshik
Parkland School Division
Daisy Hagens
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate School Division
Darian Hazzard
Lakeland Roman Catholic Separate School Division
Erika Heise
Grande Yellowhead School Division
Jiya Jakher
Calgary School Division
Raneet Kahlon
Calgary School Division
Jay Knopf
Foothills Academy Society
Josephin Lemofouet Tschoupdop
Edmonton School Division
Zoe Lenci
Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division
England Metcalfe
Foothills School Division
Isaac Mork
West Island College Society of Alberta
Brady Nanooch
Wild Rose School Division
Sarah Niznik
Grasslands School Division
Neel Patel
Fort McMurray School Division
Nathan Reath
Koinonia Christian School − Red Deer Society
Tacey Robertson
Parkland School Division
Tanealle Shade
Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division
Mariam Sharaf
Greater North Central Francophone Education Region
Moses Smith
Livingstone Range School Division
Zach Stoddard
Elk Island Catholic Separate School Division
Elliot Strawson
Rocky View School Division
Margaret Wideman-Lyon
Battle River School Division
Shannon Wong
Westmount Charter School Society
Alice Yang
Edmonton School Division
District-level councils
Some school authorities have district-level student councils. These are teams of students who represent the student population from elementary to high school. Usually, the councils work with their school authority leadership and board trustees on educational issues and topics that impact students.
Not only is a district-level student council another opportunity for student engagement, the councils provide meaningful input to school authorities and schools.
District-level councils play different roles depending on the level of engagement students have with system leadership, and on desired outcomes. Councils can:
- serve an advisory role offering advice to school boards or senior leadership on policies or initiatives
- help create policy or lead design projects at their schools
- play a collaborative role with their school authorities by participating in decision-making processes
Regardless of the model or role, the intent is that students are able to provide input on initiatives that impact their educational experiences.
Setting up a council is a collaborative effort requiring support from school authority leaders, school leaders, teachers, parents and students.
Contact
Connect with the Student Engagement Team:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-289-1352
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
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