Write for us!

​myPITA Newsletter article submission guidelines

Multiple times a year, print newsletters are mailed to all current PITA members.  Back issues of newsletters are posted online in interactive PDF format and require the current members-only password to access them.  

We also accept longer-format articles, lesson plans, and resources for publication on this website. 

We publish articles that provide practical, immediately applicable ideas for teachers that are relevant to any Grade 4-9 subject area. If you are providing a lesson plan, please include the setup, materials needed, the procedure, any surprises or advice you can give, evaluation ideas, etc. 

Newsletter article deadlines:

• Fall: Due by May 30th. This issue features articles from Fall conference presenters.
• Winter: Due by October 30th. This issue features articles from Spring conference presenters.
• Spring: Due by January 30th. No primary focus on this issue. Normally, includes information about the upcoming Fall Conference.

Article length
You do not have to hit the exact word count, and fewer words are better than more words. 

• Half a page: 250 words with an image, 300 words without images. 
• One page: 500 words with image(s), 600 words without images.
• Two pages: 900-1000 words with image(s), 1100-1200 words without images.

Writing guidelines

• We prefer a Word document with a .doc, .docx, or .rtf suffix. 
• Write a snappy, concise title using seven words or fewer.
• Hook the audience by using active verbs. 
• Start with a one-paragraph introduction that situates the reader and allows teachers to get straight into the meat of it – we don’t have much time, and we’d like to grab their attention. Open with a statement and not a question.
• Speak directly to your audience using nouns like “you” or “your class”.
• Use Canadian spelling. 
• Images are encouraged, but are not required. We love to have samples of student work, as they provide visual support for your article. Please send high-resolution images of students’ work as an attachment to the e-mail with your newsletter article. However, we can not publish any pictures with students’ faces. You may provide captions for images, and format your article to give our graphic designer an idea of how you would like the article laid out. 
• E-mail your newsletter submission and copyright-cleared high-resolution images as attachments to newsletter @ pita.ca. 

Author biography
Provide a one-sentence biography with your article that includes:  

• Your first and last name.
• One sentence about you, like your school grade level(s), district name, subject areas, awards, etc. Examples:
• Olivera Zee is an elementary Teacher-Librarian in Burnaby who loves graphic novels and is passionate about finding books students will love to read.
  or
  Giuliano Vee is in his fifth year of teaching, and is a Drama and English-trained teacher who currently teaches Drama, English and Contemporary Indigenous Studies at Ecole Cariboo Hill Secondary.
• Optional: your pronouns and your teaching-related website or social media handle(s). 

​We reserve the right to decline to publish your article and to edit your article for length, clarity, style, and to make sure it meets our publication’s standards while aiming to maintain the author’s original voice and intent.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to newsletter @ pita.ca.

Please e-mail your newsletter submission and copyright-cleared high-resolution images as attachments to newsletter @ pita.ca..