Thank You For Being There

I too am what seems to be one of the few that support our teachers. I have children in both Anne McClymont and OKM, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for the staff at both schools. Consistently the staff goes the extra mile for the children, always trying to put the needs of the children first.

In the twelve years that my children have been part of the education system, I have seen one kindergarten teacher that was raising a family of her own, spend 10 hours at the school then go home to do all a parent has to do and then have to write 44 report cards (she had both the am and the pm classes) plus do the lesson plan for the next week. By the end of the report card term this wonderful woman was nothing short of a frizzled mess but always had a smile for the children and while in the class gave them her all. This same woman encouraged the children to always do their best, use manors, have morals and respect themselves and those around them. Virtually every elementary teacher we have encountered has been the same as this woman.

Now look at a high school teacher, they have several classes with over 30 children per class. Yes, we had large classes when we were young but anyone that has a high school student should be able to look at what their children are learning and agree that they are being taught what we didn’t attempt to learn till college or university. There are teachers at OKM that volunteer to take the graduating class (and have for 29 years) on a week long back packing trip that challenges the children beyond what they thought they were capable of. There are other teachers that give hours on end well beyond the school hours to the music program, leadership programs, and physical education programs. This doesn’t mention the teachers that make the academic program one that keeps the children interested. On any evening you can see teachers at both schools making our children’s lives better with the extras that they do.

Personally, when I finish my 8 hour day I close my office door and go home to my family with my work day behind me, I have yet to see a teacher do the same.

No other union in this province, to my knowledge, has to live under the rules the teachers have to. No other union has for the last three contracts been ignored and been legislated a contract without the benefit of bargaining. If this were any other union I’m sure there would be far more support. I realize that for those that have day care issues this strike will make for some difficult days. I also realize that for those children that are graduating (mine included) a prolonged strike could have some repercussions but I am resting on the belief that the teachers are doing what is best for not only them but our children as well.

Thank you to the teachers that have been there for the last 12 years for my girls, your efforts have truly not gone unnoticed and we look forward to the next five years.

Libbie Sherwood