Early Career Resources

Access essential NSTU resources for early career and new teachers, including membership information, account setup, membership applications, professional resources, job-hunting guidance, and information on member rights and benefits. Find the forms, handbooks, and support you need to get started and make the most of your NSTU membership.

Teacher's Rights in Nova Scotia • English | French 2007

Benefits of Membership Handbook • English | French 2020

Membership Registry

First Time User Instructions
Access the Membership Information Form

If you have not already done so, please take a moment to complete a Membership Information Form so that we may input your information into the Membership Registry. You must be entered into the Membership Registry in order to open an NSTU Account.
You may submit the Membership Information Forms online, or complete the attached PDF form and return it by fax to (902) 477-3517 or by email to nday@staff.nstu.ca.

Access the New NSTU Account Form

Once your details have been processed and entered into the Membership Registry, please complete the New NSTU Account Form to receive your login credentials. These credentials will allow you to access your Membership Registry profile, members-only website content, conference registration, and more.

Access the NSTU Account Information 

The NSTU Account allows users to set their preferred communication methods with the NSTU. It also supports the online conference registration system by automatically populating personal information where applicable. You can activate a free account directly from the NSTU Account webpage. Please read all instructions on the page carefully before proceeding with activation.

Access the Membership Registry

Access to your personal profile in the NSTU Membership Registry is available using your NSTU Account login credentials.

Membership Applications

You may submit your application and payment online, or complete the attached PDF application form and return it by fax to (902) 477-3517 or by email to nday@staff.nstu.ca.

Active Membership Details

Fee: $925.00 annually (August 1 – July 31)

Reserve Membership Details

Fee: $32.00 per year (August 1 – July 31) plus an additional $3.00 per day taught.

Associate Membership Details

Fee: $10.00 annually (August 1 – July 31)

Professional Resources

Handbook for Early Career Teachers

Topics in this document are approached from a general perspective so that the content is applicable to teachers in all settings. This is by no means an exhaustive document; however, the Handbook for Early Career Teachers does provide information that has been deemed useful by new teachers from around the province with whom it has been field-tested.

John Huntley Memorial Internship

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union has programs and services aimed specifically at members during their first five or so years as a member of the Union. The John Huntley Memorial Internship offers members – new and veteran – with a chance to spend time in Central Office learning the programs, services and opportunities available in the Union.

Job Hunting Skills

Identifying Your Skill Set

Writing a Resume

Writing a Cover Letter

Preparing a Professional Portfolio

Preparing for an Interview

Interview Team Expectations

The Interview Process

Debriefing an Interview and Growth from the Process

Bibliography of Early Career Resources

NSTU Guidebook Excerpt

Section II – By-Laws of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Article I – Membership

3. Reserve Member

    1. A Reserve Member is a teacher or other qualified person engaged on a day-to-day basis to take the place of a person regularly employed as a teacher by an Education Entity as defined by the Education Act, who has been employed as such for not less than fifteen (15) days in the preceding and/or the current school year, and who:
      1. is employed on a day-to-day basis by an education entity as defined by the Education Act to take the place of a regularly employed teacher;
      2. pays an annual Union Membership Fee as fixed from time-to-time by Council; and,

      3. pays per diem Union Membership Fees as fixed from time-to-time by Council.

    2. The rights of Reserve Membership shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the right to:
      1. benefits as provided through NSTU as bargaining agent;
      2. request legal assistance in instances resulting from problems arising in the performance of duties;
      3. professional counselling within education;
      4. vote at the local and provincial level;
      5. attend Council as outlined in Article II of these By-Laws;
      6. membership in Professional Associations, except the right to hold office;
      7. membership in the NSTU Group Insurance Plan, in accordance with the provisions of the plan;
      8. membership on NSTU committees, where elected or appointed; and,
      9. access NSTU publications and materials, as assigned, on the NSTU website.

5. Associate Member

    1. An Associate Member may be:
      1. an Active Member on a leave of absence;
      2. a member of the faculty of a provincial university; or,
      3. an education student at a university; and,

      4. who pays an annual Union Membership Fee as fixed from time-to-time by Council.

    2. The rights of Associate Membership shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the right to:
      1. membership in Professional Associations, except the right to hold office;
      2. attend Council as outlined in Article II of these By-Laws;
      3. membership in the NSTU Group Insurance Plan, in accordance with the provisions of the plan; and,
      4. access NSTU publications and materials, as assigned, on the NSTU website

Need assistance?

We welcome your comments and questions regarding these documents.

📞 (902) 477-5621
📞 Toll-Free: 1-800-565-6788
✉️ contractinfo@nstu.ca

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