Frustrations and Fears

For how long have we been awaiting increased sharing of responsibility between government departments? Teachers have a right to feel frustrated as our system struggles to cope with needs of students that fall under the purview of medical or social expertise, not covered by teacher training. Not only does our system suffer under the additional strain, but teachers are afraid. Students with life-threatening illnesses that require constant monitoring need professionals in the schools who have been specially trained to manage their health care on a day-to-day basis. When such personnel is not there, it falls to the teacher to take on the added responsibility.
Every day, members of our association breath a sigh of relief as they realize another day has ended safely for each child in the class. Too many, however, fear the day when their first aid skills may be insufficient to meet the need of a child in medical crisis. We need supports from the department of health and we need them yesterday. The time has passed for agreements in principle. We must make our employer see the concerns through our eyes and form the necessary partnerships. Let's get our students the supports they need, without trying to do it all ourselves.