Opportunity for BCTF Members
Call for Teacher Participation in Ministry
Supporting Student Health Guidelines Refresh
The BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is seeking six teachers to participate in the Ministry of Education and Child Care Supporting Student Health Guidelines Refresh Working Group.
BCTF members selected will represent the BCTF as follows:
| Grade Level/Specialist Area | Number of BCTF representatives |
|---|
| Grades K–7 | 3 |
| Grades 8–12 | 3 |
Context
The Supporting Student Health Guidelines (Elementary and Secondary) provide instructional strategies and considerations for delivering topics within the Physical and Health Education (PHE) curriculum. While substance use education is part of the PHE curriculum, it is currently not addressed in these guides. Additionally, gaming and gambling—though not explicitly mentioned in the curriculum—are increasingly relevant issues for students. Research, including the report From Loot Boxes to Lottery Tickets by McCreary Centre Society, highlights how gaming and gambling behaviors can intersect with risk-taking and addictive patterns among youth. Including these topics in the guidelines will help educators address emerging concerns while fostering student competencies such as critical thinking, self-regulation, and informed decision-making.
To strengthen prevention and early intervention efforts, the Ministry of Education and Child Care is updating each guide to include a dedicated section on substance use education with considerations that include gaming and gambling. This addition will help schools integrate these topics into health promotion efforts, support staff in addressing student questions and concerns, and align with provincial priorities around student safety and the toxic drug crisis.
The Ministry is seeking teachers to help shape updates to the Supporting Student Health Guidelines by sharing feedback and insights. These updates aim to build educator confidence in teaching substance use, gaming, and gambling education, provide cross-curricular strategies for integrating these topics, and equip students with knowledge and decision-making skills through the PHE curriculum.
Term and remuneration
The term of appointment will be February to April 2026.
Successful applicants will be asked, by the Ministry of Education and Child Care to:
- Participate in one initial virtual meeting (1 hour)
- Review guidelines in advance of meeting (1 hour)
- Draft content for the guidelines (4 hours)
- There will be two groups (Elementary-focused; Secondary-focused) of teachers and each group will meet separately at a time decided upon by the group members to draft updates.
- Communicate with group members and Ministry staff via email (2 hours)
- Provide feedback on final drafts (2 hours)
The estimated time commitment between early February 2026 and April 2026 for each group member is 10 hours.
Each participating teacher will receive compensation, from the Ministry, for their time commitment (ten hours total). The standard Ministry rate $325 per 7-hour day and will be prorated to cover the work completed.
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
- relevant teaching experience and expertise that can contribute to the success of the project including:
- current teaching in elementary (K–6), middle, or secondary (Grades 7–12) settings
- experience delivering substance use education through the B.C. curriculum, particularly within Physical and Health Education (PHE) or related subjects
- experience or interest delivering education regarding gaming and gambling
- balance of diversity—gender, Aboriginal, regional representation, etc., will be sought.
To apply
Complete the appropriate CV form here.
Email your application to applications@bctf.ca
Direct enquiries to:
Grahame Rainey, B.C. Teachers’ Federation, government-liaison@bctf.ca
604-871-1845 or 1-800-663-9163, local 1845
Deadline for application: Friday, January 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
(late applications will not be accepted)