Social Justice

Welcome to the GVTA Social Justice website. If you're interested in environmental issues, local and global poverty, community engagement, and the fight against intolerance, then this is the place for you. Social justice is about recognizing and supporting human rights in our own community and around the world; it is the rejection of intolerance, racism, sexism, and homophobia; it is about working towards a world of peace instead of a world of war; and it is about seeing the importance of living in a sustainable way and limiting our impact on our fragile planet.

The GVTA Social Justice Committee wants to support teachers who care about their community and the world and who want to find ways to bring that care into their classroom. We will be highlighting and celebrating the teachers who are successfully making social justice an integral part of their teaching, and we will be providing resources to teachers who want to increase their social justice engagement.

Social Justice Committee

The GVTA Members' Guide provides for a Social Justice Standing Committee. The Chairperson of the Committee sits on the GVTA Executive Committee.  You will find a list of committee members on the Committees and Appointees page.  If you would like to be a part of the committee contact sj@gvta.net

Seeking School Social Justice Reps!

Are you a passionate advocate for positive change? Then we need you! Your GVTA Social Justice committee is hoping to have a social justice rep in every school. SJ reps would help us improve our communication with teachers by distributing social justice materials, including classroom resources, and keeping your fellow teachers updated about social justice issues and opportunities. SJ reps will be eligible to attend School Union Rep Training days (SURTS), and they will be invited to join the GVTA social events. Please contact sj@gvta.net if you are interested in becoming a Social Justice Rep.

Social Justice Resources

• List of Children's picture books and novels 

• List of Adult Fiction/Non Fiction books 

Social Justice Grants

GVTA Social Justice Grants

The GVTA has limited funds to support local initiatives to promote social justice in our schools and in the community. Funds can support school events and activities, collaborations with NGOs and community groups or direct action. To apply, send a one page letter to the Social Justice Chair at sj@gvta.net outlining your project, your budget, community partners and how the funds will be used.

BCTF Regional Social Justice Grants

These grants are designed to provide funding for social justice conferences to be held throughout the province. The intent behind these grants are to build capacity and support the growth of social justice in a given region. Funding occurs on a bi-annual basis. Information and application forms for BCTF locals and sublocals are online.

BCTF Social justice grants

Social justice grants provide seed money for activities or projects that will bring about systemic change for social justice in schools, districts and/or communities in British Columbia. Information package and applications forms for BCTF locals and sublocals are online. 

Tips for teachers applying for the grants

See the Social Justice lens. and see Tips for Teachers Applying for the Grants on the BCTF Social Justice Grants and Funds Page