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Thoughts from mr. b

Working to rule

29/11/2016

13 Comments

 
And so it has come to this. Let me fill you in on a few details. The Nova Scotia Teachers Union contract expired back in the spring of 2015, and Teachers in Nova Scotia have been working without a contract since then. In the last few months negotiations with the government have not gone well. Well that is a bit of an understatement, they have been a disaster. I will spare you the gory details of it all, but what matters is that there is an impasse with Teachers and the current government. From all of this, teachers have voted to be able to do job actions, and the first that will begin on Monday December 5th is "work to rule".

This means that Teachers will be doing only what is outlined in our contract. Nothing more, nothing less. We will still teach, but no extras, no sports, no clubs, no holiday concerts, and the list goes on. It also means no extra time to prep, doing extras like answering emails, phone calls, or other clerical work on non-school time. It means arriving 20 minutes before school, and leaving 20 minutes after.

This will be hard. No, this will be awful. No, this will be a disaster. No, it will be worse then all those things. I don't have any polite words to describe what I am feeling and the impact I feel it will have on students.

I teach, I coach, I do lots of extras to make my day and the day of my students' exciting, fun and educational. Now I am being asked to limit myself, to prove to the world that Teachers work hard and should be valued.

I find that sad. I find it sad that I need to prove to people that Teachers work hard, that we are valuable and that the work we do is demanding, time consuming, and growing more and more challenging by the year.

I find it sad that my government does not seem to appreciate teachers, and are playing this cat and mouse game with the union, students and parents.

I find it sad that on the eve of my Sr. Girls basketball team's first game that we had to lock up the gym and say, "sorry, I can't coach you anymore". 

I find it sad that I will not be able to Tweet and share what is happening in my classroom. I will not be able to "like" or "retweet" what is happening in your classrooms. I will not be able to take part in my own Twitter PD, and I will be missing out on conversations and relationships with great teachers from all over the world, especially those in my PLC's of #xplap, #learnLAP, #5thChat and more.

I have given my time, my energy, my money, my heart and soul to this profession. I have been greatly rewarded by success of my students, by attending great PD, by being able to lead PD for other educators. I am happy each time I can see a student out in the community and they wave and say hi, or even just smile as I go by. I don't want to hear from anyone that my job is less then what it is, that I don't deserve anything, or that I am greedy.

I want my government to feel and show that Teachers are valuable. I want my Union to present reasonable and attainable asking packages.

I want to teach. I want to be excited to share what I do. I want to see what others are doing in their classrooms. I want to learn and grow.

I am hopeful that this job action will lead to a positive outcome, that both sides will sit down and talk.

Until that time, I must sign off and log out.

Here's hoping that there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.
13 Comments
Bryan Devine
29/11/2016 09:58:52 am

Thanks for sharing. I've never had to experience anything like this and can only imagine the emotions that you must be feeling. I will keep you and all the teachers and students in Nova Scotia in my thoughts and prayers.

Reply
superiorpaper.net link
28/12/2016 04:14:35 am

This is sad not only for the teachers but for the students as well. Education is not only found in the four corners of a classroom. Extra-curricular activities help develop the character and skills of the students. With the limiting enforced, children may resort to other activities that may not be necessarily helpful and even be harmful to their growth and education. I hope they realize the value of teachers to the community.

Reply
Mark Bezanson
29/11/2016 10:49:06 am

Well said. Short to the point and heartfelt. Thank you Nick.

Reply
Sarah R
29/11/2016 11:26:45 am

Well written... and sad. As the daughter of a former Teacher and as a person who works with Teachers every day, I appreciate the heart and soul that you put into everything that you do-- during and outside of school hours.

Praying for a quick, positive resolution so that we can all mutually benefit from what our education system should be. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Marci
29/11/2016 01:48:39 pm

Well said and to the point. I had to say the same in respect to closing my gym doors to intramurals and sports. Sad kids

Reply
Melinda
29/11/2016 05:12:48 pm

Thank you Nick! You are a wonderful teacher who insipies your students daily. It is wonderful to have a child in your class who is excited to go to school and learn from you! I am hopeful that the impact of this strike doesn't impact your students enthusiasm. Thank you!!!!

Reply
Brian
29/11/2016 06:00:17 pm

Thanks Nick for voicing so well, what we are all feeling.

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Monica
29/11/2016 09:34:40 pm

As a teacher in Alberta who is also without a contract (ended August 2016), I feel for you, completely understand and send positive vibes to all of you out there! It is sad that gov'ts don't realise just HOW important teachers really are...

Reply
Gordon
30/11/2016 04:01:34 am

Well said, Nick!

Reply
Judy Eberspaecher
30/11/2016 06:21:33 am

When we in Ontario went on work-to-rule and then on
strike, it was the very worst time in my 30+ year career. May this be settled soon.

Reply
Bridget
30/11/2016 05:44:15 pm

Hi Nick,
I am a parent of three, a very active volunteer at our elementary school and the community and coach Jr Mini Boys basketball on a county team.

It's unfortunate how this strike is not only going to affect how teachers function during their work day, but how well our children are able to learn and develop without all of the extras. I personally know that many teachers at our school in Stellarton work late 5 days a week at the school, plus evening hours and weekends. Some of these teachers are also parents to students (many in the school that they teach) talk about being between a rock and a hard place. The personal relationships that have been built between many of our teachers and my children are amazing; ones built on trust and kinship

When my daughter was in second grade she broke her leg. She was casted to her hip and needed a wheelchair -her teacher gave up every recess and lunch as well as her morning prior to the bell for six weeks, so she wasn't by herself. (Talk about going above and beyond.)

I truly hope that resolution is reached quickly-I have heard of far too many leaving a profession they love due to politics.

Thank you for your post and know there are parents like myself who appreciate what teachers do.

Reply
Linda McAloney
1/12/2016 02:13:50 am

Nick, I am so glad that you took the time to share your thoughts and feelings about what is happening with teachers in our province. Thank you!

Reply
Shannon
1/12/2016 02:33:24 am

Thank you for writing this, Nick.

Reply



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    Mr. Nick Baskwill

    Grade 5 teacher, Pirate

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