Teacher has questions for the government

I teach high school in Windsor. Here are some of my thoughts.

Government says it wants more kids in the trades. So, why are new schools being built without shops? Why are you trying to increase class sizes, which will minimize the offering of optional courses (which includes shop classes)? Why are you trying to impose mandatory e-learning? You can’t take shop online.

Government says it wants to increase class sizes and it won’t hurt anyone So, why do private schools advertise small classes? I am already lacking in textbooks and even seats sometimes for the amount of students I have now.

Government says it needs to cut the number of support staff. So, more kids, many with challenges, in a room, but less people to support them?

Government says it wants to impose mandatory e-learning. While I agree tech is taking over, why don’t we spend more time with our kids teaching them how to use it responsibly instead of leaving them to their own devices? Government says teachers just want a raise. Many teachers (not support staff, they deserve double their salary) would take a pay freeze if these other issues were resolved. But even if we don’t, is a raise that matches inflation (therefore, a technical pay freeze) really that unreasonable?

We’re asking for two per cent, not 14 per cent (as your MPPS received). For many teachers and other educational workers, that two per cent would barely pay for the increase in gas costs.

Final thought: Not all teachers are good teachers; we are human, after all. Some are only in it for the money, vacation time, etc. But those people usually quit in their first five years.

Teaching is amazing. I love my job and students. I don’t, however, love being disrespected and treated like a second-class citizen.

Jinneane Kavanaugh, teacher with Greater Essex County District School Board