tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post4858071727892137394..comments2014-07-30T14:43:26.285-04:00Comments on MamaJoy: Dear Ontario TeachersJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04493868354054872996noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-7774448371729482832013-01-26T20:49:32.411-05:002013-01-26T20:49:32.411-05:00A huge thank you from myself and my Ontario collea...A huge thank you from myself and my Ontario colleagues. During this time of uncertainty your note has been so uplifting. Thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts and support. The effect of this is massive upon our spirits. <br />With gratitude,<br />Lara Eager<br />Teacher in Ottawa<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-22261446592113842672013-01-16T18:58:16.347-05:002013-01-16T18:58:16.347-05:00You could always quit and join the other 85% of th...You could always quit and join the other 85% of the workforce who cannot bargain either. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-31780878702877994372013-01-14T07:02:10.883-05:002013-01-14T07:02:10.883-05:00To see such a beautiful supportive piece of writin...To see such a beautiful supportive piece of writing helps a bit, but seeing the caustic hate spitting out in the comments brings me right back down. I am only fighting for my right to bargain with my employer. Withdrawing my voluntary services is the only form of protest I have left.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-3935444271625841952013-01-12T23:23:38.382-05:002013-01-12T23:23:38.382-05:00Fire them all. And crush their sense of entitleme...Fire them all. And crush their sense of entitlement Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-34383699447610504562013-01-12T17:57:20.391-05:002013-01-12T17:57:20.391-05:00I am not devaluing the profession - I whole-hearte...I am not devaluing the profession - I whole-heartedly believe it has been, is and will continue to be such a huge part in our kids' lives. Great teachers do support the healthy development of great kids.<br /><br />I thank all the great teachers for years of dedication and commitment. I say this sincerely.<br /><br />Why so demoralized? Why so much belly aching over compensation and perks that far surpass other industry? Education cost in our fiscal budget is outrageous... something's gotta give --it's just not sustainable. The government is taking steps to try and keep it in check.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-91778469052272842272013-01-12T13:27:55.203-05:002013-01-12T13:27:55.203-05:00I challenge you to walk a mile in a teacher's ...I challenge you to walk a mile in a teacher's shoes and then you will be able to make a comment. Just because you went to school does not mean you know what the job is about. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-81689519862695573102013-01-12T13:21:53.516-05:002013-01-12T13:21:53.516-05:00Thank you for your words. I am also a teacher who ...Thank you for your words. I am also a teacher who loves her job and her students and I feel the same way you do. I will miss my students when I retire June 2015 also, but I will not miss being devalued for my work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-23489278562648000292013-01-12T10:55:26.089-05:002013-01-12T10:55:26.089-05:00Thank you Joy, it is nice to hear that you and man...Thank you Joy, it is nice to hear that you and many others are helping to defend and stand up for the teachers. It has been a very difficult year for us. The 2 comments above are exactly the kind of crap we have to hear on a daily basis. I chose my career you chose yours. For the record teachers do not get summers off for free. In fact, we are paid for 10 months of work September thru June. So those 2 glorious months in the summer are UNPAID.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-82998029086722431402013-01-12T09:12:15.473-05:002013-01-12T09:12:15.473-05:00I must agree with the person above. Very sentiment...I must agree with the person above. Very sentimental, but a touch off the mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-62309005429312524692013-01-12T04:40:49.557-05:002013-01-12T04:40:49.557-05:00Please take a moment to consider the rest of the w...Please take a moment to consider the rest of the working world. Husband and father each laid off on periods of private sector cuts, my mother hasn't seen a raise in 4 yrs, my husband (now in another IT job) has had wage freezes for 3 yrs, myself an accountant with more than 10 yrs under my belt and a professional designation - I get 3 weeks vacation, 80 hr work weeks in tax time and a pension? what in heck is that? - we are not complaining (I'm just stating facts) because these are the careers we chose and the jobs we enjoy. Every teacher here says they enjoy their job and the children. So why not just be happy with the (let's face it) unbalanced perks your union has been able to keep for you under recessionary times. I've read every single post here and have a vested interest in the effort put forth and the quality of our province's teachers with a 6 yr old and a 3 yr old. I would be screaming with joy and out celebrating with the # of sick days, personal days, vacation days and a solid union spending all that time and money working to keep it all in tact.<br /><br />I feel the most sympathy for the new up and coming teachers out there who are finding it so hard to find a placement - no doubt supply and demand for teachers is unbalanced - and at least in my mind, there is no question why this is.<br /><br />darn straight I'm signing this anonymous... but I did read all the posts. interesting read, but it does seem that there is a pretty big bubble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-36842671781729269782013-01-10T23:24:09.019-05:002013-01-10T23:24:09.019-05:00Thank you so much, Joy! It is truly amazing how w...Thank you so much, Joy! It is truly amazing how with all the negativity and truly hurtful things we hear our government, media and shockingly even parents of our students say, one person`s kind words can give us that much more hope.<br /><br />From the bottom of my heart, thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-68656627483480458042013-01-10T23:07:38.893-05:002013-01-10T23:07:38.893-05:00I am married to an elementary music teacher who wo...I am married to an elementary music teacher who works part- time in order for our family to spend quality time together. IF she worked full time, we would not have a family life due to the amount of time she puts into her program. The teachers are fighting for the right to negotiate instead of having a contract imposed. Yes, the govmnt of Ont must look at spending choices but to impose cost savings on the backs of teachers is wrong, all Ontarians are in this together. I do agree with the statement that full day kindergarden is the elephant in the room....it is costing us big $$$$$$$ but it sure bought the Libs a lot of votes. Keep up the fight Teachers, there are many who support you.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-47496964129755390182013-01-10T22:19:03.930-05:002013-01-10T22:19:03.930-05:00Thank you for your love and support and sticking u...Thank you for your love and support and sticking up for us.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07499062121140922852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-29387141220640492692013-01-09T20:39:34.996-05:002013-01-09T20:39:34.996-05:00Thank you for your support!!!!
I wish everyone rea...Thank you for your support!!!!<br />I wish everyone realized how many hours of blood, sweat, and tears go into teaching. I'm up at 5:45 to go to work every morning. At 8:15 tonight I decided to call it quits for the day. That's right. I went to work, came home, and went back to work until now. At 28 years old, I often feel like I have no life and always put my job first. Even in the summer when I'm on holidays, I still work on things for my classroom, collect lesson plans and resources, and look into the next course I plan on paying to take to ensure that I am as educated as I possibly can be. I love the kids I teach and would do absolutely anything for them. I just wish more people like you realized the dedication it takes to be a teacher. I often have friends who say they wish they had gone into teaching....but when I tell them they can, they drop the subject. Funny how that happens.....But THANK YOU Mamajoy so much for your support! I just wish more people understood.Artsy_Allyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12057653145516169153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-31495964765688669632013-01-09T12:36:30.125-05:002013-01-09T12:36:30.125-05:00Thank you so much for your support! Like you, I wa...Thank you so much for your support! Like you, I was a high school student in the Harris years as well, and went through the strikes, work to rule, no extra activities - the whole gambit. Now, I am a high school teacher, and it is the BEST job in the whole world. I would not change my job for any other. I am currently on maternity leave, and while I am "glad" to not be in the thick of things at work (I think it would send my stress level with two children of my own under age 3 through the roof!), I am very sad to be returning to what might still be a possibly gloomy situation. I truly feel that that there is TREMENDOUS learning that goes on outside the classroom while at school, and while sports teams and clubs are NOT the whole issue of what's been going on these last months, clearly it's one that people on all sides care deeply about; I am sad that there is a possibility that I will be returning to work shortly, and returning possibly "only" to the classroom. Teachers, in the vast majority, care greatly about their students and about doing a great job - ours is not a job you can really put in less than 100% - and will, as you have mentioned, continue to do amazing things in our classrooms however we are able. The undemocratic manner in which the issues have been dealt with concerning teachers should raise a red flag for us - these are troubling times, for many of us, and now more than ever, we need to stand up for each other's rights.<br />Thank you, thank you, thank you for your comments and support. Teachers and parents working together - what else is better for our kids' education?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-1949502109549366992013-01-09T06:59:08.435-05:002013-01-09T06:59:08.435-05:00Thank you for your support and kind words! Thank you for your support and kind words! Karinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-5625001455512153582013-01-08T22:23:01.602-05:002013-01-08T22:23:01.602-05:00Bravo!!!!!Bravo!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-75378929458645245002013-01-08T21:37:08.002-05:002013-01-08T21:37:08.002-05:00Thank you so much for the kind, supportive words, ...Thank you so much for the kind, supportive words, Joy. To those of you who keep insisting we as teachers do not live in the 'real world', please get a grip. We are absolutely in the real world of children, providing them with the best education possible. We work hard, we love our jobs, and to say children are suffering is to truly demean the lives of other children in the real world out there who experience true suffering. It amazes me that so much of the vitriol from parents is about the work we choose to do for free.Anne-Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03052132462086533693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-35999697843507265472013-01-08T15:40:54.118-05:002013-01-08T15:40:54.118-05:00Awesome work, Joy!!! I have loved my 30+ years of ...Awesome work, Joy!!! I have loved my 30+ years of teaching, yet am disheartened by a public who demand extra curriculars (I coach 3of our 4 volleyball teams, as well as girls' gymnastics, and run our track and field meets)Thank yous, from either students or parents, are rare but very much appreciated. I do these things because I love to. Getting to know the kids beyond the classroom builds a whole different rapport with them. (I actually feel that those teachers who just put in their school day are missing out.) <br />PS In our board, the use of a "teacher chaperone" for a parent coach is because of liability. Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-13483777856829704862013-01-08T15:38:57.470-05:002013-01-08T15:38:57.470-05:00First, I am fortunate that my two children have fi...First, I am fortunate that my two children have finished high school and have graduated from university. I do have to say that they had wonderful teachers all the way through their education. That being said, I have heard enough complaining from teachers. If they don't like their job, find a new one. There are hundreds of young teachers waiting for a permanent position. In the real world, where I work, there are no banked sick days and extra long holidays. I don't have a problem with their holidays as I know they work very hard throughout the school year and of course, deserve time off. But I wish they would understand how fortunate they are. As a matter of fact, my entire office took a pay cut of 13% four years ago to keep our jobs. Have we had an increase since then? No. We are happy that we have a job and actually enjoy what we do.It's time to stop the belly aching and move on. The teachers union is living in La La land. It's time to look at the reality of what is happening in the 'real world'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-51076841812230573982013-01-08T12:16:22.388-05:002013-01-08T12:16:22.388-05:00Jan7 458pm
Parents are only allowed to volunteer w...Jan7 458pm<br />Parents are only allowed to volunteer with a teacher chaperone for any club. Thus, why it is a monopoly and teacher unions hang onto it as a bargaining chip and Control. EC's are part if a teachers job, and it's time for Legislation that will now allow the teachers unions to hold the kids hostage again. What job do you know that gets 12 weeks vacation per year, every weekend off and every holiday off? All that is expected is a few hours per week of EC's that are very very important part of our Childrens Education. This is why EC's will Never be considered Volunteer, because somebody they is not a teacher can't run any EC's without a Teacher present. Truly Volunteer is ANYONE can run EC's as long as they pass a criminal check. Time to remove this bullying tactic by the teacher unions of our precious Children, so our children can never be used as bargaining weapons AGAIN. I am a teacher with 3 school age children and am sick and tired of this. Most of the teachers at my school put in NO time or VERY little tile for EC's. A select few of us, make the rest look good. But those ones that do little or nothing are the ones desperate to keep that bullying bargaining chip against our vulnerable and precious Children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-59338019371837170322013-01-08T11:40:04.531-05:002013-01-08T11:40:04.531-05:00Thank you, Joy for your understanding and support....Thank you, Joy for your understanding and support. It is frustrating to not have extra-curriculars and I think often about families where they cannot afford activities for their children outside of the school community. I, along with many of my colleagues, am hopeful we'll be back to "normal" soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-12794780228776825712013-01-07T21:44:45.669-05:002013-01-07T21:44:45.669-05:00Wonderfully worded
It is the process that speaks v...Wonderfully worded<br />It is the process that speaks volumes of you and not the errors left behind when you passionately write and simply emotionally move on without proof reading (teachers do that daily I confess)<br /><br />Thank you for your support. We are doing this because its right...we are sorry we can't be there with you when you stand up for us...those parents tend to shy away from teachers, but we welcome everyone...because we love what we do. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-46077139452915004952013-01-07T20:33:53.847-05:002013-01-07T20:33:53.847-05:00Whoever posted at 5:43 is a troll, and most likely...Whoever posted at 5:43 is a troll, and most likely not a teacher. <br /><br />Get a life...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496691312677642429.post-55909551522384109492013-01-07T20:30:58.952-05:002013-01-07T20:30:58.952-05:00It's encouraging to hear this from a parent. T...It's encouraging to hear this from a parent. Thanks for the post. <br /><br />We are continuously excoriated and lambasted in the media, be it either our salaries, benefits or pension. It used to be our job security until the Liberal government demonstrated otherwise with Bill 115. <br /><br />We are caregivers, regardless of what is thought of us. From 9-3:30 I am responsible for the education, emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing of 20 primary students who look up to me for everything. I put my students first and push myself as hard as I can in order to give them the best of my education. <br /><br />The sheer amount of ignorance that takes place in the open public regarding what we do, and how we do it, and what we must do is mind boggling at times. <br /><br />And is it only during work-to-rule that the value of extra-curricular activities is felt when they're withdrawn? I don't recall reading or hearing in the media a general thanks from "concerned" parents when we do them. <br /><br />Thanks for your support.<br /><br />A Grade 2 primary teacher, TDSBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com