Open letter to Minister of Education,
I am both a teacher and a parent in British Columbia. I love teaching, and I love my children's teachers. I have been trying to stay informed about the teacher contract negotiations, but I must admit, I cannot listen anymore. The negative words that are coming from the public, the media and the government that I serve, hurt a lot. So, to shed some light on the truth of my career, I wanted to share a day in my life.
I arrive at school at 7:30 am. It takes three trips from my car to bring in the necessary supplies to augment my basic classroom materials. On the weekend, I called every appliance store in Richmond to get a huge box. Thank you to Richmond Wholesale Appliance for taking the time to save me one.
Then I went binning in recycling boxes to collect over 100 milk jugs and washed them. I also purchased (with my own money) a hot glue gun and enough glue to put our very own indoor igloo together. I use it to meet my math, socials and art learning outcomes in a fun and interesting way.
This ensures my students will remember what I teach. Because migration and hibernation is also part of our winter theme and the ministry outcomes, I carry into the school some birdseed I bought (again with my own money) to feed to the birds on our weekly trip to the park.
There we observe the changing of the seasons and understand the life patterns of the birds and animals. I believe in teaching students through real life experience, not just from textbooks or computer screens.
I welcome my students at 8:45 a.m. All 22 come in with different needs, challenges and personalities. I spend a moment every morning checking in with them and listening to those who have something to share.
The students then write in their journals that I marked at home the night before. After, they complete their very own math problems that I typed at lunch the day before because I only have preparation time on one of my three teaching days.
This brings me to recess. A parent has an urgent issue. I try to eat and attend to her concerns. Normally, I would have to go outside and monitor kids' behaviours if it was my day on duty. At 10:30 a.m., I still have not sat down.
The bell goes, the kids return, and the day continues. Dynamic spelling, grammar, listening, writing and reading are all worked through in centres that I created and organized after school. As I roam through centres, I challenge my students when needed or modify depending on my professional assessments. During report card time, I will write each assessment separately on even more of my weekend, and then hold conferences in the evening after school.
At lunch, I work on developing the school garden and meet with the Eco-Team. I prepare the paint for the migrating 3-D sea animals we are constructing in the afternoon. I finally sit for 10 minutes and gobble my lunch. Guided reading, storytime and art follow. 22 bodies attempt to clean up and at 3 p.m., they leave for the day.
After school, I answer to parents and attend school meetings. I finish cleanup, prepare for the next day's meaningful, challenging and interesting activities. I touch base with the resource teacher to gain assistance with certain students' individual needs, then request that the librarian pull books for my next week's theme.
I phone the bird sanctuary for a field trip, and I start typing the permission slip. I leave at 6:30 p.m. to finally see my own children. They are happy and had amazing experiences at school. I know they did because their teachers care just as much as I do.
Already on this day, I have worked 11 hours, and this does not include reports, coaching an after school team, evening concerts or interviews. Then I mark some more. That makes 12 hours. No true break. No overtime, just endless time.
I went to university for seven years and hold a Bachelor of Arts, a teaching degree and I've almost completed a Master of Education degree. I only work half time (so I don't have to pay more childcare), and I bring home about $1900 net a month. This does not even pay my mortgage.
I then spend at least 100 dollars a month to create a classroom suitable for teaching because when I started the year, no books or teaching materials were supplied. So, not including my weekend preparation, my 12-hour days amount to about 15 dollars per hour.
I do not get a pay cheque during the summer months, so I need to work another job to make ends meet. But, you want to cut my salary by 15 per cent because I wanted a break at recess instead of being on duty? I know I am a public servant, but sometimes I feel like I'm treated as a slave.
I am passionate about inspiring the next generation to be strong enough to question the way things are done, to preserve their honour in the face of adversity. What kind of teacher would I be if I did not practice this too?
So, I ask you why it is necessary to demean me, demote me and work me like I am worth little to you? I, like all educators, am in charge of the next generation, and I am proud to say that I do the very best I can with what I have. Do you? In the spirit of a new year, I invite you, Minister of Education, to come spend a day with me, in my shoes, and then perhaps you will understand why we cry out.
Wendy McDonnell
Richmond
