Cory Hare

Cory Hare’s career spans two decades, from a beat reporter in St. Albert, Alberta, covering health, education, politics and business to the assistant editor of the St. Albert Gazette. In 2014, he joined the team at the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s magazine and in 2019, working closely with the creative team, Hare spearheaded a complete redesign of the publication. The redesign elevated the publication from a trusted source of educational information with an academic tone to a contemporary and engaging resource for its more than 42,000 membership of emerging, veteran, and retired teachers.

Hare’s leadership is marked by thoroughness and thoughtfulness. He reflects deeply on editorial content and production processes, continually striving to raise the bar of the publication while staying true to its target audience. Hare is equally focused on the professional development of his team. He regularly brings the team together to discuss the magazine’s direction, unpack reader survey results, and brainstorm future editorial pitches.

One of Hare’s standout achievements is his steadfast persistence. A shining example is the feature “Take It Outside the Norm,” which Hare nurtured over several years. The feature explores the lives of teachers working in speciality schools, such as children’s hospitals, colonies, and remote northern communities. Hare worked diligently to forge connections with teachers around the province and then uncovered the kinds of skills and gifts needed in each of these niche teaching environments. The result is a compelling story that resonated deeply with readers.

While Hare jokingly refers to himself as a “grumpy editor,” it’s clear that his colleagues see him through a different lens, describing him as organised, focused, and highly collaborative. Hare fosters an environment where excellence thrives, honest communication is encouraged, and staff time is respected—with a collective commitment from the team to hit deadlines and start and end meetings on time. Behind the scenes, Hare demands excellence, but he also works to simplify workflows and maintain open communication with his editorial and design teams. He values creativity, gives his team space to shine, and remains responsive to feedback.

In addition to shaping content, Hare has played a pivotal role in modernising production processes for the Association—he co-developed a process using Microsoft Teams where designers and editors collaborate through mood boards and tone discussions, allowing the team to work cohesively and meet as needed. He reworked the meeting structure—with fewer, more focused meetings—brought in administrative support and carved out time to consistently thank each contributor, sending a copy of the magazine with a personal thank-you note. His fiscal stewardship is equally strong. By securing a new advertising partner, Hare has not only improved ad quality but also significantly reduced costs, a nod to the members whose dues support the magazine.

Under Hare’s guidance, the magazine has grown in both relevance and reach. Aware that teachers don’t have a lot of time to read a magazine cover to cover, Hare ensures the editorial line-up offers a vibrant mix of storytelling that reflects teachers’ everyday life. Teachers have responded enthusiastically, especially to reader-driven sections such as “Teacher to Teacher,” which covers a wide range of topics, from classroom snafus and lighthearted anecdotes to meaningful lesson plans. Hare has created a sharing space that wasn’t there before.

Asked to describe Hare’s editorial style, ATA’s supervising designer, Erin Solano, says, “Cory looks for topics that resonate with teachers. He likes to push the envelope; it’s always fun to get an article that’s a bit spicy, but that the association feels comfortable putting out.”

Hare’s impact is perhaps best summed up by his commitment to bettering the publication, empowering his team, and connecting authentically with readers. He’s more than an editor—he’s a mentor, innovator, and dedicated steward of the stories that define Alberta’s education landscape.

By Diane Bolt