[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Red

I am not a teacher, but there are things that I find odd that teachers, the Teacher's Union, Principals, School Boards, & the ministry have no answers for include:

Teaching is an odd profession by nature. You're responsible for not only the health and wellbeing of children but their education. Not to mention children are divided by age not academic ability.

- Why do retired teachers on a full pension get to "double dip" by being at the top of substitute lists or working at private schools? (young teachers at the start of their careers complain this keeps them out of work)

Whether a retired teacher is on "full" pension or not is 100% irrelevant. While I don't think you mean to imply that teachers shouldn't get a "full" pension, it does read that way. Again, not saying that was intention just pointing it out to avoid in the future.

I do agree that they should enter the sublist at the bottom. Should be treated as a newbie to the list. Part of the supply list is to give experience to new teachers, as was correctly pointed out.

But if you want to retire and start a new job, have at 'er. I heard a Vice-Principal of my middle school retired and took a contract job as a Principal up north for a year or two. I mean, why not? I see nothing wrong with that.

- How much are the union dues? These unions have boatloads of cash for strikes and pensions. Seems to me, lowering the dues would equal real wage increases.

I don't know the figures. But, having a strong union that can withstand a strike and provide a good pension is a good thing. I'd hope all unions could provide in this way. Otherwise what are you unionized for? You can't strike without starving, or retire comfortably?

- Is vacation time really vacation time? Do teachers spend spring break grading papers or on a beach? I think they are required to be in school the week after last day and the week before first day.

Here teachers are in school the week before classes start, but the last day for students is the last day for teachers.

Some teachers use Christmas/March Breaks to catch up on grading/prep. Some don't. Those that don't do that in the evenings when it's required.

Also of note, planning vacations as a/with a teacher sucks donkey balls. Oh look, fights are cheap the first and last week of March, and triple the price during March Break. Travel solely during peak season, never off season or even shoulder season.

- How is prep time calculated and monitored?

It's in the contract. At least here its alloted in prep periods. For example, students are gone to music or gym, that's a prep period.

- Is kindergarten teacher a $100k job?

Yes it can be. My son's class is a Kindergarden/Grade 1 split. So, prep work for both grades, instruction in both grades. Students are still young to be diagnosed with ADHD (either due to age or simply resources and referals). There's a special needs student in my son's class. There are students who barely scape by and struggle to be engaged. There are students who the teacher struggles to find stuff advanced enough to keep them progressing.

- Why not disband school boards and separate boards and wrap it all into the ministry?

I like the idea of having the curriculum having some local flare. However a through the ministry is what they did here in NS. One school board for everyone (well 2, one English, one French).

- These agreements from late 1800's & early 1900's are not set in stone. Other provinces have worked around them (or in QC, ignored them). I don't think AB will quit confederation or be kicked out over dissolving the Catholic school board. I don't think there is anything in the agreement that says it has to be equally funded.

Yeah, I doubt Ottawa will care if there aren't Catholic school boards in Alberta.

-What is the monetary value of having so much time off?

I don't know exactly what you mean. Technically teachers don't get paid in the summer, they're salaried and the union arranges to have them paid over 12 months rather than 10.

-What is the monetary value of having gold plated benefits?

Gold plated benefits? Like "full" pension. Gold plated is 100% irrelevant, unless you're upset that teachers have good benefits at which point I'd say everyone should have those benefits, not have them taken away.

At the end of the day I am sure teaching is a good and fulfilling career.

Like any career, it's what you make of it.

I just wish the economics were a bit clearer considering education spending is just below health care spending in most provincial budgets.

Look south, deep south. I do have an analysis, but I can assure you it's worth it.

(In ON, one thing that always bothered me is that the provincial tv channel is funded through the education budget. The highest paid employee in the Education budget is the lead anchor on the TV channel @ $350k.)

Yeah. That's odd.