In light of the announcement of an illegal teacher protest, just some food for thought. 

"In 1997, the teachers' union protested with a province-wide two week strike against the Harris government's education initiatives. It was the largest teachers' strike in North American history. ^[1][2][3] The teachers had a current contract so the government determined that the strike was illegal.^[4] 126,000 teachers went on strike which affected 2.1 million students in the province. The strike was over the contentious issue of who holds the power to set education policy in the province. Bill 160 put control of the education system in the hands of the provincial government. It eliminated the ability of school boards and teachers' unions to set classroom and teaching conditions throughcollective bargaining. The bill also allowed the government to regulate class sizes, education property tax rates, teachers preparations time, the amount of time teachers and student spend in class and the use of non-certified instructors." (Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Ontario).

I lived through that two week "strike".  I walked the sidewalks.  I was a young teacher.  I was so unaware of just what the government was trying to do until I realized how ridiculously money was being spent in our schools.  I was trying my best to provide resources and supplies to carry out my programming for my little grade 1's. I was using my own salary to cover the costs for resources and supplies for my program.  I was low on the pay grid.  Plus...the government was trying to control the decision-making for education by dictating where and when money could be spent whether it was the best choice or not.  I remember being told one Wednesday that we had "x" number of dollars to spend on literacy materials from specific suppliers (none of which were beneficial for our students) and we had to have the money spent by Friday.  Huh?  Who spends thousands of dollars like that?

This Bill 160 meant that school boards in Ontario would lose their opportunity to bargain with teachers and make the best decisions for their clientele based on their needs.  This meant that communities didn't have the opportunity to provide for the needs for their clientele whether they be rural or urban.  EAch school board had specifics depending on their students, and the geographical area.

I remember be worried and frightened about what would happen if I joined the picket lines...which was illegal.  I remember thinking I wasn't sure what I should do.  I remember feeling strange walking the sidewalks with my sign.  I am so very glad that I took that stand.  I am so very glad I participated in that protest because the education system in Ontario is excellent since that protest took place. Our voices were heard and changes were made.   We now have an education system that provides quality education for our students because of the cooperation and team work between government, school boards, teachers, support workers, parents and students.  It's a team effort.  Where is that government now?  They have made their decision to impose a contract upon us making it look like WE are the ones to blame.  This isn't about laying blame..this is about team work remember?  This is about servicing students and their needs.  This is about school boards having the power to bargain with their teachers for the betterment of their students.

I worry about those young teachers....the ones who are starting in this profession...this vocation.  They worked so very hard to achieve the qualifications (which I might add have changed and increased as the years have gone on) and deserve to work in one of the best education systems in our country and in the world. They deserve to have a rewarding career in the profession that THEY chose to be in.  They deserve to be respected and to feel the rewards of their impact on their students.  

 In my 25 years of teaching,  I can honestly say that this profession has not become easier with experience...it has required MORE learning, MORE experience and MORE organization of time than ever before...and I don't say that because I am getting old. But I may also add, that this profession has become MORE and MORE rewarding each day.   In our much more demanding society, students need to be ready to face our fast paced world, and they need to do so with the necessary skills that they received in our school system.  Those young teachers are the ones who need to persevere and give that training to our students.  Our government needs to respect them, to work with them.

I will walk the walk on Friday.  I will carry a sign.  I will protest this Bill 115 as I did Bill 160.  I will fight for change.

I have hope.