To the editor:

I am dismayed to be writing in response to comments regarding job action rolling out amongst Ontario’s elementary and secondary teachers.

Negotiations with our current government are at a standstill and, as a secondary school teacher, I beseech Premier (Doug) Ford and Education Minister (Stephen) Lecce to return to the bargaining table. As an educator and also a parent in our public school system, no one wants to be standing on a picket line in January, especially in Northern Ontario.

In terms of the current job action, as an OSSTF member, we have not withdrawn extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, yearbooks and clubs. We continue to offer these on our own time.

If Mr. Ford wants to model his system after an American approach, coaches and team leaders would receive compensation. We do this because we love these activities. We do it to build community and character in our students. These activities have not been disrupted. The rolling strikes are designed to have an impact on the government and a limited impact on our students. Our examination schedule and classroom learning have not been interrupted.

Premier Ford is sticking to the issue of compensation, but I can assure you this is not the key point from teachers’ perspectives.

I have a few questions for the premier and Minister Lecce:

• Where is the 2017 commitment to strengthen Northern and rural schools?

Schools in Northern Ontario have a demographic very different from the GTA. E-Learning is not an option for these children. Many do not have internet access or laptops. They need human contact, relationships, nutrition and physical activity.

Also, no child in Northern Ontario should be attending school in portables, yet school closures continue and many Northern Ontario schools are housing portables, even new-builds.

• What is a reasonable class size in 2020?

Teachers are dealing with more behavioural, mental health and addiction issues than ever.

As a teacher with more than 20 years experience, I see a crisis level beyond what I have ever seen. Ask our first-responders, Children’s Aid workers, EAs and all front-line workers. Our physicians, as well, can attest to the stressors we are seeing at an unprecedented level.

• What do you think teachers do in the summer?

I can tell you: Teachers engage in professional development (out-of-pocket expenses which can be very expensive.) Teachers also coach, run camps, run activities, clean their classes, re-design their classes, and by mid-August are preparing to teach (often new classes or grades.)

Premier Ford and Minister Lecce, would you please visit the schools of Northern Ontario. I would welcome you into my art room. We can all get our hands dirty and see what teachers do.

Samara Paleczny

North Bay