(Editors Note: The following is and Open Letter to Brad Wall, the Saskatchewan Party Caucus, and the Government Trustee Bargaining Committee.)
It's been a very tough day. I wanted to take the time to let all of you know how personally hurt and disappointed I am at the lack of progress on bargaining for a fair collective agreement. As a teacher, I spend every day being optimistic, teaching students that hard work will always pay off, and modelling respect in and out of school. I have to admit that my heart sank as I learned of the breakdown in discussions. And by the looks of my fellow colleagues, I was not the only one. Our hard work, 78 years of mutual respect seems all for naught.
Two years ago I had the great honour of joining Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers (http://bit.ly/1rEETr) in Long Beach California. I spent a week with Erin, her actual students, and a group of the most amazing teachers from all over North America. I heard horror stories about the conditions of education in the United States from people who I respect as both people and teachers. Teachers couldn't believe that we were allowed to take students out on field trips. They were amazed that teachers worked with local school boards and even the government to develop curricula and meaningful assessments.
Time after time, I met teachers were genuinely jealous of the privileges we take for granted in this province, for the positive relationship we have always had, and for the hard work teachers, administrators, ministry officials, and elected representatives have always worked towards common goals. I came home with a new respect for how much we have accomplished together.
And yet, today, should I question all of this?
Should I have ignored my desires to be a teacher when I was only three years old? Should I have bothered to learn French because I knew it would help me be a better teacher? Why did I work to ensure my students always use cutting edge technologies in their learning? Why did I work as an instructional consultant? Why did I work to complete a Masters degree in Curriculum Studies? Why did I leave the regular classroom to develop a new and exciting middle years science program? Why do I work to get to personally know every single one of my 270 students? Why do I research instructional strategies, assessment philosophies, and ways of truly engaging students in their learning?
Why? Because it's important for the future of our province.
Students come to school with all kinds of needs. Some have trouble learning, some have trouble getting around, some have anger issues, some can't sit still, some hardly see their parents, and some have never even met them. Every single one of my students is important; as a learner, as a citizen, and as a human being. Teachers don't just teach, we take care of your children. I know we're not perfect. It's really a very difficult job. I promise that I will always do my best, and go that extra mile.
Your children are worth it, and so is our province. We need students who are ready for the future. We need students who can problem solve, learn, access and interpret information, care for the aging population, and respect our new neighbours from all over the world. I promise I will work to do all of this, every day.
All I ask in return, is some peace of mind about my financial and physical well-being. We really aren't asking for much. I don't want more than my share. I don't want a huge raise. I just don't want to see the value of my salary get lower and lower and lower. Gas prices, rent, utilities, foodeverything is rising so quickly, and our province benefits greatly from these cost increases. And now I have to worry about being on strike? I don't remember the last time I had a vacation, never mind had the money to finish upgrading the energy efficiency of my house. Like everyone else, I save. But there's less and less to save each year. The Saskatchewan Consumer Price Index from March 2010 to March 2011 was 3.0 per cent (http://bit.ly/ltRRCk). If the CPI optimistically stayed at 3.0 per cent for the next three years (and it is expected to rise, not fall), the 5.5 per cent offer from the government would mean my salary would be worth 4.5 per cent less that it is today.
Mr. Wall, why do I deserve a pay cut when our province has and continues to demonstrate flexibility and resiliency? Why do I deserve a pay cut when I work with the government to develop, administer, and mark assessments for government accountability? Why do I deserve a pay cut when every single curricula in the province has changed requiring a lot of new learning and adjustments to my teaching? Why do I deserve a pay cut when I attend and provide professional development? Why, Mr. Wall?
Please find the resources to come back to the bargaining table. Take some of the money you're spending attacking my profession, and show that you care about the education of our students. Show me that you respect what I do, Mr. Wall. Please give me the security to know that I will be able to afford to teach the students of Saskatchewan. Let me do my job without worrying about how I will pay my bills.
Jay Kennard, Sask. Teacher.
