socialist

I tend to agree with you. But across Canada, teachers are being encouraged to obtain a masters degree. Divisions and districts are pushing this. I see teachers 45 years old, who teach grade 4, completing their masters degree in something like guidance or social work. It has nothing to do with teaching It won't make her a better teacher. But it will increase her pay by about $10K. Multiply this by the number of teachers currently enrolled in masters programs. A huge collective increase in salaries will be the result. Property owners will be on the hook. Education won't be any better.

Why are schools being forced to fund raise? Why are students being forced to pay fees to play on sports teams? Are insinuating that the government is under funding education? If not, where does the money come from to cover ever-increasing costs? Who should pay for breakfast programs?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/good-marks-great-meet-your-tutor/article24094015/comments/ Those that can afford tutors definitely do better in school. But does this make public schools look as if they are doing better than they actually are? Are schools spending too much time on soft skills? Do tutors mask the fact that hard academic skills are being marginalized? These questions need to be discussed. Maybe PCT is correct in saying too much time is being spent watching movies and making posters.

Maybe the matrix isn't a myth after all. These are strange times, indeed.

What do you make of this, PCT? Start at the 33:00 minute mark. https://soundcloud.com/ian-jessop-cfax/april-28-1pm-1?in=ian-jessop-cfax/sets/ian-jessop

Just curious PCT, but what do you not necessarily agree with in my previous posts? There are major problems. I am not allowed to speak my mind due to a professional code of conduct.

Nobody claims to be underpaid nor overworked. You're no better than the Ontario Liberals with this comment. The quality of education has indeed declined but you offer no suggestion as to why. Only that it ought not to be the case since more money is being poured into education. Well, I can tell you from my perspective, as a high school teacher, that it has declined because kids are no longer held to a high standard. For a long time we weren't allowed to give marks of zero nor could we deduct marks for a late assignment. Kids in elementary school pass even when they're not capable of understanding the curriculum. Behaviour problems, which harm the learning of ALL kids in a class, cannot be dealt with by administrators anymore as a result of interference by trustees and politically motivated sr. officers at the board office. A lot of that money you mention has gone into funding pet projects by individual board consultants or centrally assigned people. These projects are often (not always) about advancing the careers of ladder climbers and do very little to held kids... even if the claim is made loud and clear that it's ALL about the kids. In reality, it's not. There are teachers who ought to be running the show at board offices because they're just so good at what they do but they choose to stay in the classroom. THESE are the people you're crapping on rather than the parasites at board offices or trustee offices or offices of the MoE.

You get a self-interested group which wants to get out of the teaching classroom as fast as possible. They leave school as soon as the bell rings so they that can get to their latest shmooze session at the Board Office where they can 'network' and get their latest idea across so that they can be seen to be the newest hotshot. (Meanwhile, their kids are running wild in the school hall and the other teachers have to deal with them.) So, they become Board 'consultants' and they spend their time 'consulting' with each other and the Pink Palace at Queen's Park. Almost as an afterthought, they keep bugging the teachers in the classroom to attempt to foist their latest idea or new set of textbooks on the classroom. New books when the old books were perfectly good for the job. The ultimate goal is to get out of 'Dodge' and into the Pink Palace at Queen's Park were the real ladder climbing takes place. And all this nonsense costs big bucks as the Board Offices and Queen's Park are overloaded with these leaches who continually churn out curricula and other 'initiatives' which the drones in the classroom are to implement. And they are given large salaries to engage in this continual chaos. A pox on them. But, it never changes.

Educators are professionals. Some narrow minded people think differently.

To all the teacher bashers here with kids in public schools: Teachers are defending their professionalism and your child’s learning experience.

Ash, if it makes you feel better by constantly crying that I;m not an educator, then (not than) carry on. It's sad that you are obviously jealous.

Social Justice is serious. This is nonsense.

I don't duck in any education thread. I speak as someone who works in the trenches. I'm not a casual observer thinking things need to be the way they were 4 years ago. Some of you get a kick out of bashing teachers. I get that, as it appears to be a fun little hobby for you.

Not every week is a 60 hour week. I am dedicated to my profession. I guess that is hard for a person like you to fathom. Maybe you're upset that you will never have a Master's degree. Who knows the root of the teacher basher anger. You and PCT paraphrase the same nonsense on an ongoing basis. Same person, perhaps? I challenge PCT and he doesn't respond. Then he shows up 3 weeks later thinking I've forgotten about how I embarrassed him in the BC lock out thread. Teaching: The only profession where you steal things from home and bring them to work because of under funding.

I guess you don't know how rigorous the courses are. A person who has not taken the coursework necessary may be as misinformed as you. My masters degree is hard to achieve. But I will get it done with sweat and determination, and many late hours. Then I have to be prepared to teach the next day. I know many dedicated educators completing their masters degree to enhance classroom learning.

I'm in the system, Michael. I k ow the facts. I see the facts every day.

why should teachers who need two degrees, sometimes 3 not be paid fairly? i'm working on my masters and will be done after next year. i will get a pay increase like i deserve for getting a masters degree. Few people have masters degrees. Teachers have a huge responsibility. You won't attract the best and brightest if you don't pay teachers accordingly.

I feel the people of Alberta are finally coming to their senses. They realize that the only party that truly fights for the lower and middle class is the NDP. Residents in Alberta don't want a government that will under fund public education, like the government in neighbouring BC>. Christy Clark in BC will be long gone after next election. Many residents of BC are disgusted by the BC Liberals and their attack on teachers. Residents of Alberta don't want a gutted public education system.They know the NDP is the only party that properly funds public education.

Because educating the youth is the most important aspect of a healthy democracy.

http://www.academia.edu/1983021/SPORTS_PARTICIPATION_AND_TEACHERS_JOB_SATISFACTION_AND_BURNOUT_IN_SELECTED_SCHOOLS_IN_METRO_MANILA

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ontario-government-planning-500m-cut-to-education-funding-ndp-1.2107704

Here PCT; share this with hydraboss. This article would fit in perfectly with your teacher bashing agenda. Read it and see how silly you really look in the eyes of outstanding progressive educators. You want nonsense, here you go. Right up your alley. http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/71441#.VTvVN42WCfg.twitter