Hello dear friends. Today’s card has a little more meaning than usual this first Tuesday of September here in British Columbia. More on this in a bit. I had too much anxious time on my hands yesterday so I was in the studio trying to distract myself. The PTI Make It Monday challenge showed us how to make a sweet little easel teacher card. How appropriate! I’ve used my most favourite Verve Teachers Count set to make this adorable chalkboard complete with apples and an extra banner of appreciation. Now I only need to make about 44,000 more of these for all the teachers who will be on picket lines today instead of greeting their kids back in class.
It’s hard to write this without crying. I’ve always been in my classroom with a few butterflies as I greet my kids back after Labour Day and a long lazy summer. I’ve always been in my classroom the week before today setting everything up to welcome my kids with smiles and hugs. But not today. Today I am on a picket line standing up for our provincial public education system. Today I continue to lose wages in protest of our government’s educational underfunding and refusal to abide by two court rulings that state they must return class size and class composition to our collective agreement. I continue to be kept from the job that I love and have put my heart and soul into for 22 years. But according to the government and the few supporters they have left, I am just a greedy, lazy, overpaid teacher who works 6 hours a day and gets 3 months of holidays. I am just a sucker who should be happy she has a job and put up with less and less services for our children. Yes, this is what’s happening in BC right now. It’s sad and depressing and embarrassing and shameful.
Okay, that’s all I can say. I always try to be upbeat and happy on the blog, I’m sorry, but this is too big and too important in my life not to share. Thanks for listening :) And if you live in BC, contact your MLA, the premier, and the Minister of Education and demand action now to negotiate fairly.
14 comments:
God bless you Moe. Wish I was in BC with you so that I could support you, give you a big hug and work to do what is right for you and all of the children. Sending lots of love and support to you! Love your card too. xoxo
Maureen, sorry for your situation. My daughter and her husband are teachers and are always having to deal with people who undervalue their jobs.
Beautiful card too!
Well said Maureen! I also find this so stressful because, like you, I want to be back in my classroom doing my job. Lovely card, as always! Perfect for a teacher!
Huge admirer of your work! With support from an Ontario elementary teacher.
Fabulous card. Love the little heart on the apples and of course, the great chalk board you created.
Wishing for a fair settlement sooner than later. My daughter is beyond stressed with a late start to school as she has two heavy semesters ahead of her this year which means they will be shortened and more work packed into less time etc. etc....my son on the other hand is doing a happy dance at extended summer - girl vs. boy all the way LOL!
STAY STRONG!!!! You are fighting for what's right and you are fighting for more than even just teachers and students. You are fighting for everyone in the public sector that could fall under Christy's hammer, should she be able to break the Union. Good HAS to win in this. We can only hope that the current behavior of the Liberal government will work against them in any future court proceedings. I'm honking my horn for you Moe!!!!
Fabulous card, Maureen.
So sorry for your anxiety and having to use your beloved crafting time as a distraction.
Wishing only a swift and fair settlement for you there. It must be so very stressful and difficult not being able to welcome your 'kids' back to school with your usual enthusiasm and glee.
so sorry, Maureen!
Love your easel card... and yes, teachers count!! They can make or break school for children!! Love the card and sorry you're going through difficult times!
I am sorry for the state of affairs. There are problems here in the US too. I hope that the strike ends soon for you.
I love your easel card! The sentiment is perfect!! I appreciate your comment on my easel card, too. I am a retired teacher and feel your pain. This situation is awful! This government is awful!! I hope and pray the strike ends soon. I support you and every other teacher out there on the picket line--just wanted you to know that ;)
Love your adorable card! So sorry to hear that you and your fellow teachers are having to go through all that. Sending you all prayers for strength.
I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. How stressful! Your card is wonderful, though. I really like the die cut that you used to make the easel.
My heart breaks for you! We are in the midst of our second week of school, and things have been so busy that I decided to "treat" myself by catching up on blog reading.
How very sad to hear that you are between such a rock and a hard place. I applaud you for taking a stand that will benefit students in the long run. My prayers for good results and a quick return to class are with you.
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