PEITF History

In February, 1880, three years following the adoption of the Public School Act of Prince Edward Island, one hundred and thirty-eight teachers gathered at Upper Prince Street School to form the Teachers' Association of Prince Edward Island;

At the organizational meeting, Mr. D. Montgomery, Superintendent of Education, occupied the presidential chair and Mr. J.D. Seaman, Principal of Prince Street School acted as secretary;

In 1885, this new association was incorporated by an Act of the Legislature;

In 1903, at the annual convention of the association, efforts were made to change the association to a federation, however, this did not occur;

1920 marked the change of the Teachers' Association of Prince Edward Island to the Prince Edward Island Teachers' Union - an effort to unite to obtain improved working conditions;

The Union was dissolved in 1924 and the Prince Edward Island Teachers' Federation came into existence - a time when the total teacher population in the Province was 612; and

1945 marked the Act of Incorporation for the new Federation;

In 1897 an unsuccessful attempt was made to establish an interprovincial Association for the Maritime Provinces;

In December, 1915 the first organization publication, the Teachers' Magazine was published with Mr. J.D. Seaman as editor;

P.E.I.T.F. affiliated with the Canadian Teachers' Federation in 1924;

CTF Annual Meetings have been hosted by the Federation in 1926, 1951, 1962, 1973, 1987 and 2000;

In 1929 there was a teachers' strike for higher salaries;

The P.E.I.T.F. Newsletter was first published in 1945;

In 1947 the first office was established in the Saunders Building on Prince Street in Charlottetown;

1949 marked the provision for sick leave;

In 1950 the Federation was instrumental in the establishment of summer school for teachers;

The Grafton Street Office was purchased in the spring of 1961;

In 1964 a group disability insurance plan was developed;

1968 marked the beginning of Sabbatical Leaves;

The first collective agreement for the Province was signed in 1972; and in 1974 the present offices - Federation House - were opened in Southport;

In 1980 the Federation celebrated its "Centennial Year".

In 1986 the Federation made provisions for the presidency to be held on a full-time basis.

In 2011 the President’s term was extended.

In 2011 a Deputy General Secretary was added to staff.

Past Presidents Since 1880