Updated August 14, 2003

NOVA SCOTIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION FOR LITERACY AND LEARNING

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History

In the Beginning...

      NSTALL originated under the name Nova Scotia Reading Specialists Association (NSRSA) in 1973. The founders were influenced by several understandings and events of the 1960's. Remedial Reading was the topic predominating in the professional journals. The N.S. Department of Education introduced the mobile reading centre and a 4 year summer school to train reading specialists. Harold Nason, the N. S. Deputy Minister of Education was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association (IRA).
      In 1969, there were approximately 10 Reading Specialists working in Nova Scotia schools but there was a big increase in the 1970's. The Department-initiated ‘block programme’ brought teachers from around the province to study together for four summers at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Teachers wanted to extend this collegial environment and maintain it throughout the year. In 1972-73 a group of reading specialists chaired mini-sessions in their local areas. These efforts to provide professional development for teachers in the exciting developments in the field of reading led to a fall conference in 1973 at which NSRSA was born.

The Early Years...

     Under the leadership of the first president, Lillian Jeffries, a constitution was prepared and submitted to the IRA. The NSRSA was presented with a charter as a Special Interest Council of the IRA at the conference in Truro in 1974. The first newsletter was named Le Liberateur at the suggestion of the Richmond County mini-group. Membership was restricted. Active members had to be qualified and working as reading specialists. Associate membership was available to those trained but not working in the field and those in training. Such membership was also open to those on University faculties and in the Dept. of Ed. with special interest in the field. In the late 70's NSRSA requested that the NSTU allow them to form a Special Association. This request was granted in 1979.The NSTU Special Association status provided stability and extended resources to the organization and allowed members to make contributions under the umbrella of their provincial union. The Association continued its connection to the IRA and worked cooperatively with the Nova Scotia Council of this international association.
      The first executive consisted of the President, President-elect, Secretary-Treasurer and one representative from each mini-group. No officer was to hold the same position for more than two successive years and no more than two executive members could be from the same mini-group at any one time. This ensured that the executive would be truly provincial in nature. In the fall of 1988, there was a change made to the executive structure to facilitate preparation for fall conference. Another change in 1987 opened membership to all members of the NSTU.