BC Teachers Getting Screwed...Again

[Pct2017]

Anyways, pro-teacher rallies are being held throughout BC.

http://www.mrtimes.com/news/dozens-rally-for-education-at-mla-s-office-in-maple-ridge-1.1055287#sthash.UE0CzFiP.uxfs

I have to ask - do you post these websites and just hope that everybody is as lazy as a teacher and will not look at them? Did you even to read this one? Wow -in a city of 76,000, there were dozens of people protesting in favour of teachers. Yes, dozens! And the organizers were thrilled to get more than the 14 they got last week. Yes, you read that right. 14. Not 140 or 1400 or 14,000. 14. And now they have upwards of 30 turning out. I tell you, it is a huge movement!

C'mon there Plink, you can do better than this. Even by your extremely low standards, this was laughable.

[socialist]

Anyways, pro-teacher rallies are being held throughout BC.

http://www.mrtimes.com/news/dozens-rally-for-education-at-mla-s-office-in-maple-ridge-1.1055287#sthash.UE0CzFiP.uxfs

I have to ask - do you post these websites and just hope that everybody is as lazy as a teacher and will not look at them? Did you even to read this one? Wow -in a city of 76,000, there were dozens of people protesting in favour of teachers. Yes, dozens! And the organizers were thrilled to get more than the 14 they got last week. Yes, you read that right. 14. Not 140 or 1400 or 14,000. 14. And now they have upwards of 30 turning out. I tell you, it is a huge movement!

C'mon there Plink, you can do better than this. Even by your extremely low standards, this was laughable.

I see you didn't read the other links. Afraid your fallacies will be exposed, I bet.

[Pct2017]

I see you didn't read the other links. Afraid your fallacies will be exposed, I bet.

Man, you just do not have the gift of knowing when to zip it, do you.

OK, regarding the "news" that teachers are getting laid off for the summer, well that is earth shattering. You know, you profess to be a teacher, yet you do not seem to know squat about the system. Odd. Anyway, it is very standard to layoff a pile of teachers and support staff in June and then rehire them in August. Weird that you were not aware of that.

As far as The Tyee, well when you start reading stuff from the Fraser Institute, then I will start reading The Tyee.

And as far as the teacher's blog, well there is some balance to what she writes, but her writing actually supports my contention that a huge problem for teachers is that they work in isolation and have limited to no interaction with adults in the real world. Her contention that people despise teachers and the BCTF is rooted in previous bad experiences with teachers during our time in school is so far out to lunch that it renders all else that she writes as moot. And where she looses all credibility is when she insinuates in her concluding paragraph that teachers are hard pressed to put food on their table because of their low wages.

Edited May 13, 2014 by Pct2017

[socialist]

Man, you just do not have the gift of knowing when to zip it, do you.

OK, regarding the "news" that teachers are getting laid off for the summer, well that is earth shattering. You know, you profess to be a teacher, yet you do not seem to know squat about the system. Odd. Anyway, it is very standard to layoff a pile of teachers and support staff in June and then rehire them in August. Weird that you were not aware of that.

As far as The Tyee, well when you start reading stuff from the Fraser Institute, then I will start reading The Tyee. run-on sentence

And as far as the teacher's blog, well there is some balance to what she writes, but her writing actually supports my contention that a huge problem for teachers is that they work in isolation and have limited to no interaction with adults in the real world. run-on AGAIN Her contention that people despise teachers and the BCTF is rooted in previous bad experiences with teachers during our time in school is so far out to lunch that it renders all else that she writes as moot. And where she looses loses all credibility is when she insinuates in her concluding paragraph that teachers are hard pressed to put food on their table because of their low wages.

There were many rallies today protesting the cuts. There are many photos out there as proof.

Edited May 13, 2014 by socialist

[Pct2017]

There were many rallies today protesting the cuts. There are many photos out there as proof.

Yes, in a province with a population of 4.4 million, there have been dozens and dozens of teachers protesting something, but they are not sure what. But, they really, really want a raise and they have promised to be better teachers if they get one. It is a movement there people.

[Pct2017]

Generally speaking, I find the practice of citing letters and blogs and articles written by others as lazy and teacher-like. But this is one case where I will make an exception. The gentleman who penned this letter is a retired teacher on Vancouver Island. His analysis of his former workmates and their union is spot on.

http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/paying-teachers-more-will-not-help-students-1.1005107

[GostHacked]

If you care to read what socialist links, do so. More than one article socialist posted actually refutes what socialist is trying to claim.

[Mighty AC]

The neo-liberal-cons are invading Ontario as well. http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/05/14/tim_hudak_targets_students_seniors_teachers_for_budget_cuts.html Hudak plans to not just freeze employment numbers in education, but actually gut them.

[Mighty AC]

You bring up an interesting point. Why is it that a teacher automatically gets a raise upon completing her Masters? If the end goal is to get into admin, then give her the raise when she gets that job, not before. If that system were in place, I can say with no hesitation that there would very few teachers seeking a Masters degree.

You seem to think higher education equals better teachers. Wouldn't it make sense to provided incentives then? In Ontario a Masters degree provides only a negligible salary bump over others already at the top of the pay grid. For that matter the pay increase to be an administrator doesn't seem worth it either. I can't imagine why anyone would want to be a principal or VP.

[socialist]

Generally speaking, I find the practice of citing letters and blogs and articles written by others as lazy and teacher-like. But this is one case where I will make an exception. The gentleman who penned this letter is a retired teacher on Vancouver Island. His analysis of his former workmates and their union is spot on.

http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/paying-teachers-more-will-not-help-students-1.1005107

To you and gosthacked and any of the other members who have little understanding of public education:

Read this and weep, and realize you are on the wrong side. The public has no use for teacher bashers. The public has no problem paying taxes to support children in quality classrooms. The neo-libs are trying to turn the public against teachers. Too bad it's backfiring on them, as I predicted. Roughly 75% of BC residents support the BCTF and teachers.

http://www.news1130.com/2014/05/14/bc-liberals-get-low-grades-on-education-poll/#.U3O65B8gtS8.twitter

Sorry PCT, time for some more irrelevant teacher bashing comments from you. LOL!

[Bryan]

Anyways, pro-teacher rallies are being held throughout BC.

http://www.mrtimes.com/news/dozens-rally-for-education-at-mla-s-office-in-maple-ridge-1.1055287#sthash.UE0CzFiP.uxfs

I have to ask - do you post these websites and just hope that everybody is as lazy as a teacher and will not look at them? Did you even to read this one? Wow -in a city of 76,000, there were dozens of people protesting in favour of teachers. Yes, dozens! And the organizers were thrilled to get more than the 14 they got last week. Yes, you read that right. 14. Not 140 or 1400 or 14,000. 14. And now they have upwards of 30 turning out. I tell you, it is a huge movement!

C'mon there Plink, you can do better than this. Even by your extremely low standards, this was laughable.

The number of supporters is a small fraction of the teachers, never mind the public!!!

[socialist]

The number of supporters is a small fraction of the teachers, never mind the public!!!

Sorry, Bryan. here are some facts. Public overwhelmingly supports BCTF. Sorry to disappoint you. http://www.news1130.com/2014/05/14/bc-liberals-get-low-grades-on-education-poll/#.U3O65B8gtS8.twitter

[socialist]

Great information on this graphic for those who are ignorant of the teacher profession. Pct, that includes you.

http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/1009/support-teachers/flat.html

[Pct2017]

March 8 - According to Socialist:

The public is close to 90% supportive of the teachers in BC. But the teacher bashers will continue to bash ignorantly.

March 27 - According to Socialist:

The courts ruled in favor of the BCTF and from what I'm reading I'd say about 85%of the public is with the BCTF and against the neo-liberals.

May 14 - According to Socialist:

Roughly 75% of BC residents support the BCTF and teachers.

Man, those teachers had better hurry up and settle while they still have Socialist's support. Even he is waffling.

[Pct2017]

March 20 - Socialist stated:

Those of you educated in the past archaic system have a hard time understanding this. You need to trust that high level education experts with extensive research have determined the 4 Cs to be crucial inn today's education.

May 13 - Socialist stated:

Art teaches creativity, one of the 3 Cs of 21st Century Skills. Your ignorant comment revels how little you know. Art is beginning to get the credit it deserves and more schools, are thankfully, pushing for more art.

Jeez, we are losing C's as fast as the BCTF is loosing Plink a Plinks's perceived public support.

But, I guess that this is to be expected. When you workday is limited to 5.5 hours, it is hard to fit all of the C's in, so why not simply drop one.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Pct2017

[Bryan]

Sorry, Bryan. here are some facts. Public overwhelmingly supports BCTF. Sorry to disappoint you. http://www.news1130.com/2014/05/14/bc-liberals-get-low-grades-on-education-poll/#.U3O65B8gtS8.twitter

Do you even read the articles you link to? That article has nothing whatsoever to do with public support for BCTF. It ONLY says they think the BC Liberals are not doing a good job. How many think that bad job is because they are not playing hard ball enough? It doesn't say.

It also doesn't really have much meaning specifically related to education, because those polled think the BC Liberals are doing a bad job at everything. It's funny, because the polls also said that the Liberals were going to lose the last election.

[Mighty AC]

The character known a Socialist is most likely a parody created by another forum member, but at least the fanatic rants get us talking about education. I am a software designer that also teaches a little biology, chemistry and computer science. As someone that makes most of my living in the private sector but also works as a teacher I tend to see and despise both sides in labour debates. The die hard unionists and ignorant anti-teacher preachers both tend to steer the debate away from the sane middle ground.

I'm not that familiar with the situation in BC. I know BC has been battling budget issues and has frozen education spending for a while now. I understand the need to control spending, I supported the measures taken by the McGuinty government in Ontario. However, I do know first hand that educational opportunities are limited by funding. A lack of equipment, supplies, space, staff, maintenance, time, etc. continuously prevent students from being immersed in those optimal inquiry based, kinesthetic, problem solving activities that are so beneficial. I'm impatient so I often buy my own resources and use my own tech devices to get the job done, but not everyone can do that. Education is better than it has been in a long, long time but every freeze and cut is actually felt in the classroom.

Like I said, I sided with the Ontario government when it came to freezing and even reducing teacher compensation, while avoiding cuts to personnel numbers. However, the mass education firings proposed by Tim Hudak while be a colossal mistake. Many speculate that it will be the struggling and ELL students that suffer most when cuts are made. This true to a certain degree because it tends to be the extra support systems that a shut down first. However, when slow, struggling students or those with severe behaviour problems have no special support classes they end up in regular classrooms full time, where they act like giant anchors holding back everyone else.

[socialist]

The character known a Socialist is most likely a parody created by another forum member, but at least the fanatic rants get us talking about education. I am a software designer that also teaches a little biology, chemistry and computer science. As someone that makes most of my living in the private sector but also works as a teacher I tend to see and despise both sides in labour debates. The die hard unionists and ignorant anti-teacher preachers both tend to steer the debate away from the sane middle ground.

I'm not that familiar with the situation in BC. I know BC has been battling budget issues and has frozen education spending for a while now. I understand the need to control spending, I supported the measures taken by the McGuinty government in Ontario. However, I do know first hand that educational opportunities are limited by funding. A lack of equipment, supplies, space, staff, maintenance, time, etc. continuously prevent students from being immersed in those optimal inquiry based, kinesthetic, problem solving activities that are so beneficial. I'm impatient so I often buy my own resources and use my own tech devices to get the job done, but not everyone can do that. Education is better than it has been in a long, long time but every freeze and cut is actually felt in the classroom.

Like I said, I sided with the Ontario government when it came to freezing and even reducing teacher compensation, while avoiding cuts to personnel numbers. However, the mass education firings proposed by Tim Hudak while be a colossal mistake. Many speculate that it will be the struggling and ELL students that suffer most when cuts are made. This true to a certain degree because it tends to be the extra support systems that a shut down first. However, when slow, struggling students or those with severe behaviour problems have no special support classes they end up in regular classrooms full time, where they act like giant anchors holding back everyone else.

And what other name did I go by on this forum? You must have some idea. If not, don't assume because you know what we say about those who assume.

I'm progressive, and I am passionate about public education.

[overthere]

Is the union or the school board performing the evaluations in Alberta?

union.

It's insane

[overthere]

You bring up an interesting point. Why is it that a teacher automatically gets a raise upon completing her Masters? If the end goal is to get into admin, then give her the raise when she gets that job, not before. If that system were in place, I can say with no hesitation that there would very few teachers seeking a Masters degree.

well, no they would still seek their Msters.

Edmonton Public(and many other boards) will actually pay for 2/3 of your salary while you attend school full time to obtain your Masters degree. They'll also hold your job for you while you do it. Not any job, the one you had bfore you went back to school. Then they'll pay you more to do the exact same job when you return.

[Bryan]

The character known a Socialist is most likely a parody created by another forum member

I've been thinking the same thing lately. If he's deliberately trolling, it would make a lot of his posts make more sense.

[cybercoma]

It's certainly an exaggeratd persona that appears more lie a caricature than someone's actual views.

[socialist]

It's certainly an exaggeratd persona that appears more lie a caricature than someone's actual views.

Which of my views on public education are wrong, IYHO?

[Pct2017]

I must admit that the idea that Socialist is not exactly who he or she presents themselves to be has been a distinct possibility for me also. But, I really hope that he/she is actually a teacher and not the teenager that I suspect because Socialist is always reliable to prove to people like myself just why it is that so many of us dislike teachers, particularly those who carry union memberships on their sleeves.

I don't follow any of the other topics on this site as they mainly pertain to other provinces, but does Socialist present a loopy personality on other threads also?

[socialist]

I must admit that the idea that Socialist is not exactly who he or she presents themselves to be has been a distinct possibility for me also. But, I really hope that he/she is actually a teacher and not the teenager that I suspect because Socialist is always reliable to prove to people like myself just why it is that so many of us dislike teachers, particularly those who carry union memberships on their sleeves.

I don't follow any of the other topics on this site as they mainly pertain to other provinces, but does Socialist present a loopy personality on other threads also?

I have no use for the typical ill-informed teacher basher, like you. You hate teachers and public education yet you said you send your kids to public school. The reason? Because your kids are getting a great education, and deep down it burns you that you are wrong. You feel jaded because of something that happened in your past, so you need to feel like a big-man and bash teachers. In reality, you are just a little man.