Let’s send students, teachers back to healthy schools this fall

As another school year has ended, I want to say that I wish all teachers and every member of our school communities the very best. If there was ever a summer to take time for yourselves and your family, this is it.

I am continually reminded of just how resilient and hardworking the residents of our province are. The way in which students have coped with this pandemic and still found success is a direct result of the efforts of our teachers and administrators, and the ongoing support of the broader school communities.

I know that the pandemic has resulted in significant strain on many and has had an impact on personal health and well-being. So, on behalf of myself, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, I express gratitude. These sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.

As I reflect on my time as NLTA president, the past four years seem to have gone by very quickly. While this year was certainly not what I expected for my last year as president, it has been my honour to have been afforded the privilege and entrusted with the responsibility of representing and advocating for Newfoundland and Labrador teachers.

This fall will, hopefully, bring with it a return to normal, or very close to it, for the 2021-22 school year. We have learned a lot over the past year and a half, but students, parents and teachers are looking forward to regular and sustainable in-school instruction and interaction, which is what is best for everyone.

Yet it would be naïve to declare that the pandemic is over and assume that everything will be as it was before COVID-19. The best route to a more normal tomorrow is adherence to safe practices today and seeing as many eligible Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as possible fully vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.

The science around COVID-19 has evolved in a relatively short period of time. We know now that transmission of the virus is primarily airborne. This means that measures to improve ventilation in our schools and other public venues need to be taken in a timely manner. Some jurisdictions are implementing air-cleaning systems designed for use in schools. Our province should be exploring this and using the experiences of the past 18 months to make our schools as safe and healthy as possible for those who learn and work in them.

I have always held that all stakeholders in public education fundamentally want the same thing, that being the best possible K-12 system for our students. Everyone will not always agree on how to get there, but the NLTA has always advocated for what it believes is the right path towards achieving this goal. The learning conditions of students are the working conditions for teachers — they are one and the same.

The decision to maintain 2021-22 school administrator and school counsellor allocations at 2020-21 levels is a positive step. But, to put this in perspective, these allocations mirror recommendations identified in the 2007 report of the Teacher Allocation Commission. The needs of our students and schools today have not decreased, and improved supports and resources are still needed. I look forward to seeing the work of the long-overdue review of the teacher allocation model, something for which the NLTA has long advocated. An allocation of resources that meets student needs is a critical investment in the future of Newfoundland and Labrador, and essential to reaching the brighter tomorrow we all want and desire, and which our children and youth deserve.

Government has indicated that, over the course of the next 12 to 18 months, we should expect significant change to the organization and administrative structure of the provincial K-12 public education system. It has been publicly stated that changes will focus on achieving efficiencies and redirecting resources to improved school and classroom level supports. I commend that stated intention. Change is sometimes warranted, but change for the sake of change, is not. Downloading of responsibilities to already maxed-out school staff is not a viable option and will not realize positive and sustainable improvements. The NLTA looks forward to meaningful consultation with government and transparency as things unfold.

My time as NLTA president is coming to an end. To all of the members and stakeholders who have taken the time to engage and provide feedback, thank you. Thank you for your support of education. Stay safe.