Between the Rock and the Scissors

Dear Friends,

In the fall and in the spring, on my way to and from work, I pass by a beautiful green field that is inundated by youngsters, dressed in their school’s colours, engaged in different physical activities. In the past few days, the field has been empty. Although there are a few dogs chasing each other’s tail, and a few elderly comparing notes, the field looks sad, abandoned, as if life has been drawn from it. If you are a working teacher in Ontario, you know it’s not the rain that’s keeping the youngsters away, but politics.

Yes, we certainly are caught between the rock and the hard place. On one hand, we want the public to know it’s not the question of “I want more,” but our democratic rights. On the other hand, we don’t want to pay the price, which is withdrawing our voluntary services.

I don’t exactly know what’s in this new bill, but from what I’ve gathered so far, from those who have read it, I believe it’s worth making noise over it.

I’m close to retirement. The new bill does not “chop” my existence; it only aggravates me because it’s unfair.

Disappointing our students is very hard for us. But, sometimes, the surgeon has to amputate a leg to save the patient’s life.

These are ugly times! There is no room for diffidence. For us, it’s an “all or nothing time.” I understand your dedication and professionalism. I feel your pain and sense of loss. We put children first, not the government. We know it, and they know it, but I don’t think the public knows it.

Once upon a time, there was a system that ran smoothly, more or less. First, one bad wolf separated the principals and the vice-principals from their teachers by taking them out of the union. Next, another bad wolf dug a ditch between the parents and the teachers by questioning teachers’ competence and professionalism. And now, lack of direction and leadership from our union is creating a rift among teachers. If this isn’t “divide and conquer,” I don’t know what is! And conquer they will, if we let them.

The institution that once stood on solid pillars is now barely holding up. One parent can override a whole school decision; one student can alter the entry and exit points of 800 people, and one shortsighted politician, who didn’t have the budget for his all-day kindergarten promise to constituents, can fiddle with democracy.

The policy makers, always looking for a vote, have found the magic word - students.

Well, without teachers there are no students - just children.

In order to become students, successful students, children need teachers; respected, enthusiastic and well-treated teachers.

Since we have no directives, and I really have to wonder why, we are doing our best to compromise. However, compromising at the time of zero tolerance is compromising the integrity and the future of our profession. Isn’t it time for everyone to know, how much we put in?  

In all fairness, we have more important things to do than to spend our lunch hour arguing or making lists of services to drop. I thought we paid somebody to do all that for us. If you ask my suspicious mind, this in itself is a ploy, too.

Honestly, how can we determine which students should or should not be disappointed? Or, which teacher’s wishes or voluntary activity take precedence? Or which event is worthy of our 40-minute uninterrupted lunch hour? 

 Look around; with the right amount of noise, anything is possible, revocable, or removable, good and bad.

We still have the right to make noise. Let’s take advantage of it!

 In this particular case, I'm an extremist - accepted and filed!

P.S. If you want my honest opinion, it all started with those damned vests!