Cash for 1,500 new teachers

[Urbane]

So in the BCTF-paid ad, did the BCTF suggest that people should vote for the NDP?

LOL. And the ads that are being run letting everyone know that John Horgan wants to bring in his own Leap Manifesto are not pro-Liberal either.

[techrtr]

I would like to see schools move to an online setting . Do away with most teachers except the very best . Cut all those pensions . Possibly be able to turn the schools into parks community centres or housing . So many teachers who are just out to milk the union life . We would be better off not paying them so much

Oh, I was wondering when some armchair expert who's never taught in their life would wade in on this discussion. My wife is a teacher. She works 12 - 16 hour days teaching, planning, and marking. Her weekends are never free. Summer break is not two months of relaxation because she starts getting her classroom ready sometime in August. Same thing with Christmas and Spring Break - she spends part of that time preparing for the coming term.

During report card time, she not only has to do her regular planning - she spends 3 weeks writing report cards for 24 students. In every class, there are usually at least 2 special needs students who take up most of her time and attention. You can thank the Liberals for that. Part of the agreement that they famously reneged on leading to a long and expensive legal battle revolved around class size and composition. The Liberals broke it because they really don't care about education in this province. And why would they - Christy's kid doesn't even attend public school.

Yes, my wife does have a pension plan, but she makes large contributions to it. As someone else mentioned, our politicians get a very plumb pension after 8 years. So, don't begrudge a teacher for working their you know what off for 30 years and then getting a decent pension.

If you have no teaching experience, you shouldn't say anything.

[alfred2]

Any one that says a teacher works 16 hour days is full of it. If you teach the same subjects year in and year out why do you spend 8 hours preparing? You should have it by now.

[techrtr]

Any one that says a teacher works 16 hour days is full of it. If you teach the same subjects year in and year out why do you spend 8 hours preparing? You should have it by now.

Every class is different. Every year you have a new bunch of kids. It's all about individualized learning. You have to tailor lessons for every kid in the class. That takes time. You can't simply re-use the same materials and lessons year after year.

Are you a teacher?

[Osoyoos_Familyof4]

^^ I agree with the above post too with the exception of "you don't get an opinion". I think everyone gets to have an opinion even if they don't know the intricacies of the job.

It is true that the last week in August is now manditory days as that's when Professional Development happens (again - not optional - manditory). Which now puts the prep work of getting your classroom ready that third week in August (unpaid).

Christmas/March break usually have 2 days each holiday where you will go in for prep of next term. Most Sundays 1/2 the day is doing some kind of prep.

I will take note that lessons just "don't happen". They are researched, materials are sourced and either purchased or hours spent photocopying putting together worksheets and study information/guides. Lessons are fleshed out and trial runs happen, and then they are tweaked. An exceptional teacher may develop a game around a lesson or some kind of cross-reinforcement using music, video, drama, art, booking guest speakers etc. a teacher does't walk into a classroom anymore and open a textbook and follow along word for word. For one thing the textbooks are so expensive that many schools haven't upgraded them and are full of old information that doesn't reflect the new curriculum so teachers end up "borrowing/photocopying" sources that are more relevant and meaningful AND then create actual lessons and worsheets from that.

Hours are spent marking at home, as are downloading things you took pictures of of your class doing something that's posted to your website or an app like Fresh Grade.

This isn't a complaint, it's a privilege, but it's a damn time commitment nevertheless. Most teachers have 6 years or more of post secondary education (and debt). And despite the inflated salaries that get completely inflated by the teachers who have been teaching for 40 years, or those who do have a Masters and get paid more, most teachers with a 6year university degree (an undergrade BA or Bsc in something plus the 2 year BED) get paid in the $55-75,000 range.

[George+]

Finally, the system begins to catch up.

Major school building program also needed.

Anyone have some idea of the cost to taxpayers of all the Liberals legal battles.
At least three or more court cases.

[Urbane]

Finally, the system begins to catch up.

Major school building program also needed.

Anyone have some idea of the cost to taxpayers of all the Liberals legal battles.
At least three or more court cases.

Despite declining enrolment over the years many new schools have been built and continue to be built. More teachers being hired, a new curriculum worked out collaboratively between the government and the teachers, and some of the best educational outcomes in the world. Lots of good news for sure.

[George+]

Come on, Urbane.
You are just cheerleading, again.
No new schools in Lake Country as needed.
No new schools in Rutland as needed.
Many schools missing in Surrey and other districts.

Declining enrolment has actually stopped.

Any comment on the taxpayer wasted legal costs?

[Urban Cowboy]

It is true that the last week in August is now manditory days as that's when Professional Development happens (again - not optional - manditory). Which now puts the prep work of getting your classroom ready that third week in August (unpaid).

Nothing done in the line of performing the required duties as a teacher, is unpaid.

When one accepts a salaried position, they agree to perform required duties for agreed upon salary.

Since teachers are given the option of spreading out their pay over twelve months, it still doesn't make it unpaid if they took another option.

The average salary paid, and vacation times enjoyed, still beat what many of the people footing the bill get.

The pension according to the BCTF's own site, is one of the greatest benefits a teacher has.

[Urban Cowboy]

Any comment on the taxpayer wasted legal costs?

Not exactly wasted if the legal costs turned out to be far less than paying out what they were fighting against.

The court case actually saved the province money, if what I read in some thread last week was anywhere near accurate.

[George+]

Saved the taxpayers money?
Ah, ha, ha!
Cost the taxpayer multi millions!

[Urban Cowboy]

Perhaps you should investigate how much it would cost to pay wages plus related costs, and all benefits, for 1,500 teachers, over the time in question, and compare it to the court costs.

[alfred2]

Perhaps you should investigate how much it would cost to pay wages plus related costs, and all benefits, for 1,500 teachers, over the time in question, and compare it to the court costs.

that is above his head , after all he was a math teacher,. The savings would be enourmos, worth every penny to get rid of the dumb agrement that ndp made at the time.

[Veovis]

Perhaps you should investigate how much it would cost to pay wages plus related costs, and all benefits, for 1,500 teachers, over the time in question, and compare it to the court costs.

HE supports teachers Techie just not MATH teachers.

[George+]

Actually, it is the students who will finally get the needed support,
which Clark and The Liberals robbed from them