Representing Teachers’ Concerns (CTF Report)

As your national president, one of my roles is to speak out on issues that directly and indirectly affect educators. Here are some of them.

Addressing poverty
One of  the most devastating issues educators have to  contend with is poverty. They see the face of poverty in their schools and classrooms every day. ETFO is doing a great job of  heightening awareness of  the issue by promoting and  sponsoring a tour of the play Danny, King of the Basement across the province. The play shows the impact of poverty on students in a very moving way.

But poverty is not just an Ontario issue. The play needs  to be seen by students across the country. And we need to put poverty on the real agenda of federal and provincial members of  Parliament. When the play comes to your school, why don’t you invite your MPP or federal MP to see it too.

Protecting the environment
ETFO and CTF have teamed up to spread the word  about  the  CBC’s  environmental  initiative One Million Acts of Green  (OMAoG). If you haven’t already done so, get your school and  community  involved. What a  wonderful opportunity to  showcase the positive actions in schools that make a difference for our planet. For  more  information,  visit  the  CTF  Green Street website, green-street.ca, and see how you can become involved.

Highlighting  women’s  issues
What are you doing on Wednesday, February 11? Why not  come to  Toronto to  attend the CTF/ETFO Women’s Symposium! Meet women and equity  supporters from all across Canada and discuss the role and future of unionism for women of all ages. More  information will be posted on the CTF and ETFO websites in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Supporting  teachers the  world over
Congratulations  ETFO  on  your  support  for CTF  and  Project  Overseas. Last  summer,  12 ETFO members were among the 50 Canadian teachers who represented Canada in the annual Project Overseas  program. They worked with colleagues  in  developing  nations  and  gained experience about teacher unions in other coun- tries.  For  information  about  Project  Overseas, go to etfo.ca>advocacy and action>world issues>Project Overseas.

I am  also  deeply  honoured  to  represent Canadian teachers on  the  Education International executive  board as one of four teacher leaders from the North American and Caribbean region. EI has 29 affiliates in 20 countries and  territories in  this  region. Teachers from Africa, India,  and  Canada,  however  different their professional environments, face common issues that create a bond of understanding and mutual respect. To learn more, visit the Education International website, ei-ie.org.