Letters to the Editor

Re: Helping all kids succeed
(December  2008)

Presenting educational initiatives to teachers in a forceful or threatening manner can create pressure and fear. One example is in the report on Dr. Ungerleider’s presentation to ETFO’s poverty symposium. In that article, excellent classroom practices were preceded by statements like, “If public education fails our country will fail…If we don’t ensure success  for every student, support for public education will erode.” Knee-knocking thoughts, indeed. Yes,  teachers must focus on every student’s success,  but there is a subtle subtext that accompanies these new practices. The way teachers “hear” this message  has the potential to be a source of job satisfaction and profound joy, or it can be the burden  that breaks a teacher’s back.

As another example, when a principal spends staff meetings  on student achievement data and the need to improve EQAO results and then presents new initiatives, the  team buys into the plan. The goals are honourable, the methods proven.  The structure of activities for language lessons, for example, becomes pretty much obligatory and the ways to teach math are presented with the  expectation that we follow them. The initiatives are good but the way they are  presented, whether in staff meetings, board workshops, or our own  publications, can create pressure instead of the creative excitement that  should accompany them.

To be a teacher is an enormous and complex undertaking. Teachers  who feel safe,  instead of threatened, are more creative, efficient and  energised. I hope that administrators are presenting new initiatives in a  supportive fashion. Just as we encourage students to feel safe taking risks, so I hope that teachers  feel safe, cared for, and are being helped and forgiven for their growing pains during these times of continuous change.

Jack Teertstra
ETFO member
Ottawa-Carleton

Re: Poverty   and  Learning
(June 2008)

The June 2008 Voice  magazine dealing with Poverty and Learning presented many ideas about poverty and how it  relates to students and learning. Daily Bread Food Bank was impressed with the content and we would like to let  ETFO members know about our educational program, which supports teachers in communicating these sensitive  issues  to students and encourages student involvement in the community. Hungry City: Make Your Mark,  available at hungrycity.ca, includes free interactive workshops, guest speakers,  annual student challenges, and downloadable materials.

Rachel  Singer
Public Education Coordinator
Daily Bread Food Bank

Correction
Victoria Nolan is a member of Canada’s paralympic rowing team. Incorrect information appeared in our last issue.