Voices

ETFO has  been  much  in the  news  in the  past  several  months.  there have  been  dire warnings  of imminent  strikes,  looming deadlines, and other  seemingly  apocalyptic  scenarios.

In this issue of  the  magazine you  will find a  number  of  articles  about  how  teachers’ classroom  practice  can  improve  the  chances for educational success for children from low-income families.

ETFO’s campaign to Close the Gap is about standing up for fairness and equality for our students and  ourselves.

Re: Poverty   and  Learning
(June 08)

On behalf of  the  Canadian  Teachers’  Federation  (CTF),  please  accept my  sincerest  congratulations  to  you– members and leaders of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario – on the occasion of your tenth anniversary.

It is fitting, in ETFO’s 10th  anniversary year, that  we  celebrate  its  successes. However,  we must also look, acknowledge and reflect on the challenges that bind  the 155,000 members of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF).

Educators work in a highly regulated and litigious environment. Moreover, political, economic, social, and environmental change in the province inevitably affects families, children, and, of course, schools.

ETFO is unique among Canadian teacher federations in having a service area devoted to Equity and Women’s Services, demonstrating our commitment to women’s equality and social justice.

From its inception, ETFO embraced the use of the Web to improve service delivery to members. ETFO and its predecessors were pioneers among service  organizations  in  using  the Internet to communicate with members.