The Editor,
I am writing to express my feelings of hopelessness.
I am a kindergarten teacher of 18 years. I get up each morning and pour my heart and soul into making each day full of joyful learning for each of the precious wee ones brought to me.
For me, it is business as usual. The only exception? I am not writing report cards.
I am, however, making myself available to have conversations with parents about student progress, which provides even more rich communication than would happen if that piece of paper were to go home. I am also not holding meetings with my administrator or supervising children at recess. My admin does this and they ensure my students' safety, which makes me OK with the decision.
I am, however, doing everything else I normally do.
Why do I do this? To fight the only legal way I can to send out a heartfelt plea for a restoration of funding to the education system that has, in the past, been world class.
In the process of job action, I am being beaten up by our current government and made to look like I do not care.
Our children are at huge risk if funding is not brought forward to restore resource teacher time, education assistant time and a continuation of professional autonomy for teachers. If readers think our education system is not on the brink of disaster without funding, they need to think again.
I am tired of reading and listening to media reports that marginalize and make teachers into the supposed villains. Teachers are not the enemy. They are friends of families and children and are on the front lines every day fighting to maintain an education system that makes a difference for all.
Gayle Hernandez,Port Coquitlam
