My Teacher Voice

I am a teacher.  I come from a family of teachers that goes generations back.  Teaching is my calling and I can not imagine doing anything else.  I am proud to be a teacher.  I am not proud of what is becoming of our education system.  Rather, I am scared, frustrated, outraged, and feeling more helpless with every legislation that is imposed on us.  As a teacher, I do not feel heard.  In fact, in the current political climate I do not even feel like we are being asked to speak.  The government would rather we not speak.  With Bill 22 they are ensuring we won't be able to.

I have been teaching for more than 11 years.  I have two degrees and completed my graduate work in both Supporting Diverse Learners, and Literacy and Leadership.  For many years I was on the planning committee for District Leadership Conference, have taught English-as-a-Second Language to international students, and led many professional development workshops to both new and experienced teachers.  I am up-to-date on all the current educational practices and practice what I preach to the best of my abilities using the limited resources to which I have access.  I attend professional development on school time, after school and during vacation.  I feel like I am more than qualified to weigh in on what is best for my students, for my classroom, and for our education system.  No, I do not have all the answers, which is why I would like to be invited to be part of the conversation.  We can all learn from each other.  But first, we have to talk - openly, honestly, with egos, agendas and budgets left at the door.  What is best for our children?  What is best for our future?  What can we do to work toward the ideal education system together?  We all understand that there are budget constraints and there always will be.  I do not think this is only about the budget, though.  If Bill 22 is truly the 'Education Improvement Act', shouldn't teachers on the list of professionals to be consulted?  So I have a suggestion: let's go for a walk on the seawall, tea in hand, and actually talk.  The government has decided we need a six-month "cooling off period," so we have plenty of time to reflect, gain perspective and listen - to our own hearts, to our neighbours and friends, to our children and students.  Then we need to go for a walk. 

I recently heard a clip on CBC Radio of how MacMillan Bloedel and Greanpeace first began truly getting somewhere in the debate over Clayoquot Sound. I wish I had been listening closer to names at this moment, but I was driving in the car with my son and could honestly barely even hear the radio above his singing.  What I remember is that two important employees of the two major players above bumped into each other walking by the ocean, stopping to pause as they realized they were both pushing their children in identical strollers.  When they looked up to recognize each other, one was introduced to the other's husband as her 'arch enemy', but this moment helped them to realize that outside of the politics of their jobs, they had something in common.  This common ground led them to a nearby coffee shop where they talked as people, not members of the opposition.  They continued to meet after this day, albeit secretly, and began working together on a solution.  So I invite you, Christy Clark, to meet with me and go for a walk in the coming weeks, before Bill 22 is legislated, and just talk.  As humans.  As parents.  As people who want a better world. 

Perhaps having an open discussion with the Premier herself will help clarify another question I have.  In the past few weeks in particular I have begun to wonder what role teachers will play in the future of the education system.  I feel as if we are political candidates trying to gain the trust of the public and being smeared by the opposition.  Rather than being in a trusted and respected position, we are being criticized for how we do our job, often by people who do not understand the reality of our day to day professional lives.  Please, visit our classrooms.  See what we do and ask us why we do it.  Yes, we have been on job action since September, but honestly many did not even know.  No, we are not doing report cards, but do we know where each and every one of our students stand? Yes.  Do we still teach, grade assignments, give tests and projects, and provide clear feedback to our students?  Yes.  Do we have data, written or anecdotal, that demonstrates each student's strengths and challenges?  Reams of it.  Are we open to meeting with parents to discuss their child's progress? Absolutely!  In fact, we encourage you to come talk with us.  We have so much to share.  Just ask us and we will make the time.  For those of you who have asked us and those of you who have shared with us your support, we hope you know how much we value your involvement.  I need to be very clear here: we are doing everything we can for your children.  Sometimes we need to take a stand because the future of education and the future of our children depend on it.  If the education system is going to rise up, we all need to take a stand.

I am proud to be a teacher.  I share the lives of children on a daily basis and would not have it any other way.  Who else gets to be so fortunate?  Every day I see the excitement in a child's eyes when he finally masters a concept that until that moment, was unattainable.  Every day I listen to their stories, hear their hopes and dreams, and am invited to be part of their journey.  Every day I see students supporting each other to become better students, problem solvers, and friends.  Every day I have the opportunity to open their eyes and hearts to knowledge, beauty and understanding.  Every day I wish I had more time, more resources and more support to help them reach their potential. In the coming weeks I fear that Bill 22 will take this all away.  And no, it is not really what they want you to believe.  It is NOT an 'Education Improvement Act.'  It is quite the opposite.

If you take one thing away from reading this, I hope it is that teachers care about children and we are doing everything we can to protect them and to help them achieve the education and opportunities they deserve.  We put our hearts and souls into our profession and can only hope it makes a difference.