To strike or not to strike that is the question...

We want to start our first blog by talking about how we started all of this. We are three teachers who have committed to being the best versions of ourselves. Our priority, first and foremost, is trying to do our best for our students. This brings us to the topic of the current strike that is taking place.

As teachers, each and every day we strive to make school engaging for our students in order to foster the best possible learning environment. We want to teach them to love school and learning, to critically think, and learn in every aspect of their life. We teach them not only academic subjects but also the social skills that they need in life to thrive.

Teaching is a job that can only be done well if it is done from the heart! We care deeply about each and every member of our class. We work hard to make sure no one gets left behind. We modify our lessons to meet each and every student's needs in our classes. We feel heartbroken if there is a student who struggles not only academically but emotionally. We collaborate with our colleagues and exhaust every possible option to help support our students. We use our lunches and breaks to create extracurricular activities so that there is an opportunity for everyone to find a place in which they can show their strengths. We always advocate for our students and this is exactly the reason we are currently striking.

If we do not fight back, the Ford government wants to make further cuts to our education system that will take away from the quality of students’ education.  An increase to class sizes means that we will not be able to meet the needs and accommodate our students, despite our best efforts. By making certain courses online and mandatory in high school, the opportunity for students to build relationships in classes will be taken away and the online classes will not offer the individualized support that a teacher can offer.

Special education needs more funding rather than cuts as those students are the most vulnerable and need the most support. Our Full Day Kindergarten program is at jeopardy and needs to be protected. Violence in the classroom is a very real issue in current classrooms and needs to be addressed. The Ford government is only highlighting the 2% raise that account for the cost of living that teachers are asking for.

To everyone who has a child in the public education system please stand with us in our fight to protect the quality of our education in Ontario. We would rather be in our classrooms doing what we love instead of out in this cold.

Sincerely,

MNM