Something interesting happened yesterday. Remedial summer school was declared an essential service by the Labour Relations Board. This means that it cannot be cancelled – even though attending remedial summer school is in no way mandatory. Chew on that for…
Mr. Fassbender? I’m calling your bluff.
So, remember when the government locked teachers out in May? Part of that lockout was – and is – three full days where we aren’t allowed to go to work. Even before the full-scale strike started, June 25th, 26th, and…
Wild Math is Making for Wild History
I know that this strike and politics stuff isn’t for everyone. Some folks just find it boring, others don’t like abstract stuff, and still more people would rather avoid bad news and focus on the good parts of life. And…
“I did the good thing,” says Peanut.
Hi. I’m Peanut. I’m an American Bulldog. Well, a Bulldog crossed with something. I don’t know what. But I do know that I like to eat paper. It’s so yummy. But one day, I chewed up this thick stack of…
The Cost of Class Size and Composition
So, BCPSEA has released its costing of the proposal that the BCTF tabled on Friday. You know, the one that they didn’t like too much. Now, I’m not one hundred percent sure how they’ve calculated the numbers but for my…
I never thought that I’d be a teacher.
“Ms. MacKenzie!” “Mme. MacKenzie!” I respond to those calls all the time. Sometimes, I even respond to “Ms. Uhhh…” and “Yo,” but normally? Normally the kids know my name. And it’s a bit surreal for me. I never anticipated being…
Strike vs. Lockout
My school doesn’t really have a staff room – it’s more like a multi-purpose room with no windows. It’s not very welcoming, so lunch can often be a no-adult-interaction time of day. But not recently. Recently, I’ve had the chance…
I shouldn’t have to make this choice.
You know that clichéd rock and hard place? You know that place I’m talking about. It’s where people always seem to get stuck when they need to choose between two equally unappealing options. Anyway, I always pictured the rock and…
Hey, students. Can we talk about the walk-out?
This blog post is for the students of BC. It’s for all the teens who have heard about – and are contemplating joining – a student walk-out on Wednesday of this week. I need to talk to you. I need…