Appreciation

Appreciation
This week begins my favourite part of the NBTA election process, visiting schools and meeting teachers. However, as invaluable as dialogue with teachers is to me, I regret the reality that my presence in your schools causes disruption in the day! I want to express my appreciation in advance to your administration, school reps and branch officers and to all teachers for taking the time from your busy schedules to listen to me as a candidate and to share your views on the challenges you face every day.

Such face-to-face exchanges are critical. Should I be the successful candidate, I will remain in touch with the realities of the classroom through continued dialogue with those ‘on the front lines’. In conversations with teachers who retired only two or three years ago, I’ve heard several express the feeling that already they feel as if they were teachers in a different age. Equally important are the perspectives of administrators who spend their days trying to balance their managerial duties with their need to be educational leaders in the school.

Again, thanks to all for your help and support. I’ll be visiting as many schools as physically possible over the next few weeks, and I really appreciate your allowing me to share a part of your day.