For the last couple of months I have been campaigning for the NLTA Vice-Presidency. It's been an eye-opener in more ways than one. I have a little bit of a disadvantage in terms of geography just by living in Labrador. It's a full day's drive to Labrador City or to the ferry in Blanc Sablon. An airfare to the island will spoil a thousand dollars - not to mention days off. It would be great to hop in my car and travel around to see what is on teacher's minds, but for me, at this time, the costs are prohibitive. If I lived on the Avalon, I could dart off to a lot of places in a relatively short period of time. From here, that proves unlikely. I am optimistic, though, since so many of you have chosen to visit me here and drop in to read my blogs. This is my vehicle to reach you. I've had a lot of visits to my page so far -which I must say is very encouraging! (Thanks for stopping by.) In addition to my info in the Election edition of the Bulletin, I will be mailing some materials very soon.
In chatting about the campaign with teachers around HV-GB I've been asked a number of times whether I would have to move to St. John's should I be successful. Most are surprised when I reply that the VP position is a voluntary one and carries no remuneration. If elected, I would continue to live and teach in HV-GB, but would spend a lot more time working on behalf of teachers. I would also spend a little more time in St. John's when the Provincial Executive Council meets or should functions require the presence of the Vice-President.
It would be a great honour to serve the teachers of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially since I live here in the Big Land - only thirty kilometers from Muskrat Falls.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Right to Choose
Like anyone, teachers have the right to make choices about volunteering their time. Sitting on committees or doing extra-curricular activities is something each individual must decide for themselves. Article 29.02 says "...a teacher's participation in any extra-curricular activity requires that teacher's consent."
A thinking person would say, "You can't require someone to volunteer." Unfortunately, sometimes teachers are pressured to participate. In some places they are simply assigned to committees, in others they are "expected" to sign up. As a candidate for Vice-President of our professional association, I find it difficult to stand by when this is the case. This year, I decided to re-think. I have chosen not to sit on a school committee -not because I don't value the work of committees - but because I value our right to choose more.
Don't get me wrong. I do value the work that volunteers do on committees. My whole career, I have been involved in the school community's "extras" in one way or another. I ran Student Councils for sixteen years, helping children particpate in their own democratic forum. I have chaperoned dances and drop-ins, organized fundraising and other activities for many, many years. I've sat on a number of committees: the House Committee, the Social Committee, the Safe and Caring Schools Committee. A few years back, I published newsletters for the school and for my creative writing group So, I do know a little bit about this. Like most teachers, I have done the extra for the satisfaction that it brings. However, that is my choice and I support the right of any teacher to decide for himself or herself whether s/he wants to volunteer.
Our collective agreement states "A teacher's participation on a school-based or board-based committee requires that teacher's consent." Our collective agreement - our legal and bindidng contract - provides us the right to choose. Let's keep it that way!
http://www.nlta.nl.ca/files/documents/agreements/prov_agmt.pdf
A thinking person would say, "You can't require someone to volunteer." Unfortunately, sometimes teachers are pressured to participate. In some places they are simply assigned to committees, in others they are "expected" to sign up. As a candidate for Vice-President of our professional association, I find it difficult to stand by when this is the case. This year, I decided to re-think. I have chosen not to sit on a school committee -not because I don't value the work of committees - but because I value our right to choose more.
Don't get me wrong. I do value the work that volunteers do on committees. My whole career, I have been involved in the school community's "extras" in one way or another. I ran Student Councils for sixteen years, helping children particpate in their own democratic forum. I have chaperoned dances and drop-ins, organized fundraising and other activities for many, many years. I've sat on a number of committees: the House Committee, the Social Committee, the Safe and Caring Schools Committee. A few years back, I published newsletters for the school and for my creative writing group So, I do know a little bit about this. Like most teachers, I have done the extra for the satisfaction that it brings. However, that is my choice and I support the right of any teacher to decide for himself or herself whether s/he wants to volunteer.
Our collective agreement states "A teacher's participation on a school-based or board-based committee requires that teacher's consent." Our collective agreement - our legal and bindidng contract - provides us the right to choose. Let's keep it that way!
http://www.nlta.nl.ca/files/documents/agreements/prov_agmt.pdf
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Things Teachers Love to Hear!
From Administrators…
No duty!
What do you think?
From Students ….
I get it!
Let me try again.
Miss (Sir), I had a great day!
From Parents …
How can I help?
My child is very happy this year.
Glad you called
From Anyone …
Thank you.
And of course...
Snow Day!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Walking Club
Our school has a program called Exploratories where children choose an activity they wish to pursue for four half days during the month of October. Choices range from swimming, golfing, bracelet making, soapstone carving, babysitters course, cooking, baking, fall safety ,,, the list goes on. The children love it and teachers get a chance to engage them outside the regular classroom.
I have a walking club. With eleven Grade 5 and 6 boys, you can imagine the energy! They walked or I should say gamboled, ran, jumped, zig-zagged, skipped and swaggered. It was a glorious fall day in HV-GB. We checked out where some of them lived, the jumps they constructed for their bikes, the creek where they caught frogs last summer and every friendly pooch they could get close to. What a wonderful day!
I have a walking club. With eleven Grade 5 and 6 boys, you can imagine the energy! They walked or I should say gamboled, ran, jumped, zig-zagged, skipped and swaggered. It was a glorious fall day in HV-GB. We checked out where some of them lived, the jumps they constructed for their bikes, the creek where they caught frogs last summer and every friendly pooch they could get close to. What a wonderful day!
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