Frustrations and Fears

For how long have we been awaiting increased sharing of responsibility between government departments? Teachers have a right to feel frustrated as our system struggles to cope with needs of students that fall under the purview of medical or social expertise, not covered by teacher training. Not only does our system suffer under the additional strain, but teachers are afraid. Students with life-threatening illnesses that require constant monitoring need professionals in the schools who have been specially trained to manage their health care on a day-to-day basis. When such personnel is not there, it falls to the teacher to take on the added responsibility.
Every day, members of our association breath a sigh of relief as they realize another day has ended safely for each child in the class. Too many, however, fear the day when their first aid skills may be insufficient to meet the need of a child in medical crisis. We need supports from the department of health and we need them yesterday. The time has passed for agreements in principle. We must make our employer see the concerns through our eyes and form the necessary partnerships. Let's get our students the supports they need, without trying to do it all ourselves.

Everything to everyone

No one can be everything to everyone, but the more stories I hear from teachers, the more examples I have of a group of people who are trying to fill that bill.

How long do our students have to wait to see the Distict psychologist, if indeed the District is fortunate enough even to have one! When will appropriate numbers of experts in companion fields to education be added to the education system? All should not fall to the shoulders of teachers nor to the education budget. There has been talk of shared services; it's past time to act on the talk.

Please continue to share your issues and concerns as I travel through your area. This week, I'll be attending a meeting of Branch 0619 Tuesday, and hope to meet many area teachers as I visit schools through the day.

Discussions

A very good question was raised yesterday at a school I visited. Why should it take 11 years for a new teacher to reach full salary? That's a third of a career, and seems excessive!

With so many in the system with fewer than 11 years experience, I see this as an important area of focus for future negotiations. In order to make it a priority, it should come forward as a branch resolution to the AGM where, if it passes debate, it could be referred to the NBTF committee which puts our asking package together.

Deadline for Branch nominations is April 1.

Challenges and Celebrations

Yesterday was my first attempt to visit NB schools this year. It was great to meet teachers and see all the great work that they're doing for our school. I was excited to see the combination of new initiatives and technology with traditional, tried and true techniques. NB teachers are on top of their game! I really appreciate the welcomes I received.

Unfortunately, I missed far more teachers than I was able to see; you people are BUSY! It's impossible to arrive at every school before or after instructional hours, or at noon, so in some cases, I left greetings with your principals or secretaries. I hope that anyone who has a concern to share or who wants to know more about my views feels frees to contact me by email or phone at any time.

ingalhea@nbed.nb.ca
662-7000 (work)
662-8256 (home)

Keep up the great work, everyone!

Background

Background

I am not a newcomer to service in the NBTA. I have been an active participant at the executive and committee level of my local branch for two decades, serving six years as Director, six as Alternate Director, several years as PD Committee chair, I have been branch president in the past and am currently holding that position, as well as being chair of our local Awards Committee and acting chair of our branch Wellness Committee.

During the six years I served on the Provincial Board of the NBTA, I was also called upon to serve on the Personnel Committee and was the Director attached to the NBTA Curriculum Committee for two years, during which time we created the NBTA position paper on Assessment and had repeated dialogue with the Assessment Branch of the Department of Education. Although political wheels seem to turn slowly, our presentations to the Department representatives served to give the decision makers a clearer view of the affects that standardized testing is having on the students of New Brunswick. We were not able to “slay the testing dragon”, but we did make them stop and reconsider some of their proposed initiatives, and that saved a few villages!

My own career began in 1985 when I returned to Grand Manan after receiving my Teacher’s Certificate (B.A. McGill, 1984/ B.Ed. St. Thomas, 1985). My first job was at the elementary level, working with children with special needs. Since then, I have taught nearly every grade level (3-12) in subject areas ranging from Language Arts to Fine Arts to Mathematics and Science. I have had classes as small as five and as large as 32. I have filled in as Administrator when both the principal and vice principal were away. In 2004, I was fortunate enough to be granted an educational leave which allowed me to complete my M. Ed (UNB, 2004) and Principal’s Certificate.

I keep current on educational theory, and with teacher realities. I see the opportunity of serving as your Vice President/ President –Elect both as a learning and a teaching opportunity. I would carry my dedication, persistence and commitment to the office and would serve your priorities well.

Appreciation

Appreciation
This week begins my favourite part of the NBTA election process, visiting schools and meeting teachers. However, as invaluable as dialogue with teachers is to me, I regret the reality that my presence in your schools causes disruption in the day! I want to express my appreciation in advance to your administration, school reps and branch officers and to all teachers for taking the time from your busy schedules to listen to me as a candidate and to share your views on the challenges you face every day.

Such face-to-face exchanges are critical. Should I be the successful candidate, I will remain in touch with the realities of the classroom through continued dialogue with those ‘on the front lines’. In conversations with teachers who retired only two or three years ago, I’ve heard several express the feeling that already they feel as if they were teachers in a different age. Equally important are the perspectives of administrators who spend their days trying to balance their managerial duties with their need to be educational leaders in the school.

Again, thanks to all for your help and support. I’ll be visiting as many schools as physically possible over the next few weeks, and I really appreciate your allowing me to share a part of your day.

Heather on the Campaign Trail

March 16th- attending meeting at 0820 and visiting area schools.

March 18th- Branch 1021 meeting and visiting District 10 schools