Professional Development in a New Era (From the General Secretary)

Throughout the 1990s – particularly during the Harris-Eves years of  government – we were forced as a federation to spend our energies on trying to preserve public  education. We fought cutbacks in spending and a destructive education policy that affected not only the working lives of our members but the chance of success for our students.

The election of the Liberals in 2003 changed the  outlook   for  teachers  and  students.  This government appreciates  public  education and the  people  whose  work  is  critical to  student success. Nevertheless it  has  had  to  meet  the challenge of  rebuilding public  education and restoring the  confidence of  the  public in  the education system.

That work is not complete. There is much to be  done.  However, what the  government has done is show its willingness to treat teachers as partners in public education. Federation leaders and staff are pleased to find themselves working with a government that solicits our ideas and expertise. We may not always agree, but we are being  consulted and are able to discuss our concerns.

More evidence of the government’s commitment  to   improving the  quality  of  education and  the  working   conditions of  teachers and education workers emerged this  spring when it made  available funds for  teacher professional development that will be administered by the Federation.

ETFO  received  $700,000  for  professional programs for teachers of the early years. (JK/SK summer institutes will be offered in six locations this summer. Teachers can register  on-line on our website, etfo.ca.) We have received another $7.2 million to fund, over the next two years, professional development programs  to  assist teachers  to  improve  education  outcomes  for students whose educational success is limited by their socioconomic circumstances.

We  know  that,  on  average, students  from middle-and upper-income families do better at school and are more likely to succeed. To cite an obvious example, students who come to school hungry cannot learn well.

However, we believe that poverty should not be destiny and we will use these funds to improve our members’ ability to help children living in poverty to succeed at school.

We know this can be done. There are many examples of strategies and programs that help such  children  achieve.  The funding we are administering will allow our members to learn how to use those approaches  and put in place those programs.

This is  an  exciting time in  education. This is the kind of  partnership we have sought. It creates  opportunities for  you  as  members to make a real difference in the lives of the students you teach – not just  those who come to school ‘bright eyed and bushy tailed’ but also those who are harder to reach and harder to teach.

There are increased opportunities for professional learning as a result of  this partnership– beginning with expanded ETFO Summer Academy offerings this year. Watch for your chance to be part of this exciting initiative.