September 2020 | President’s Message
Welcome back to this crazy beautiful school year…. 2020 – 2021. Who would have known that 2020 would have tail spun us the way that it has or put everyone so far back on their heels for so long that many are still wrapping their heads around it? I truly hope that some of the excitement and awe of starting another school year was felt by you down in that teacher soul where all of the beauty of working with students of all ages lives. Where this beauty reminds us of the joy of teaching and the energy that comes with being with our students. Truly, I hope that this was the case. Despite the anxiety of this school year and working during COVID times, it is this perspective and feeling that will get us though yet another hurdle in our careers.
Much has been going on at the Local to prepare for this coming school year. Our Table Officers have met to prepare for the upcoming Local Elections (visit our website for more information on the elections), our office staff are hard at work taking calls and supporting teachers in the best way that they can. In August, our Local had the representation of twenty-seven Edmonton Catholic teacher delegates at the Association’s Annual Representatives Assembly – the very first online Assembly in the history of the Alberta Teachers Association. Our membership was strong and united. The concerns of teachers throughout this province were clear. Off of the heals of a summer of advocacy, the Local is in the midst of developing a BIPOC committee to bring awareness and education to the systemic racism that exists in our world and how we, as teachers can be a part of what alters this reality. Finally, teachers from across this province took over social media to share their class sizes and, be assured, the Minister took notice.
Together, as a Local, we tip our hats to the hard work of all of those involved in the re-entry of students at every level of this process. This is extremely hard work that had many exhausted well before the first school bell even rang. To all of you who were and still are a part of this team, we see you, we thank you, we respect you and we value your passion.
While all of this is noted, many of us are questioning, how will this school year truly be? Like I said in the opening video from the Local, it will probably be the hardest year of our careers. This, my friends, is the honest to goodness truth. And the only way to get through the challenges that exist within this reality is to harness a little bit of perspective and to choose to conquer, with love. As many of us have heard before… “we can do hard things”! Yes, we sure can! Its all just a matter of perspective.
But, here lays the problem with us teacher types when meeting “perspective” wherever it is at…
There is something about time that offers perspective but, the unfortunate thing about time is that often, we are very short of it. So, if the beginning of this statement is true, then we (as busy teachers) can often lack in perspective. (Ok, go ahead, read that previous statement a couple of times. It DOES make sense, I promise). The perspective to see the beauty of our work, the impact of our roll in the classroom and the danger associated with our profession being undercut at any point is often buried somewhere under all of the responsibility that comes with all that we are. However, the perspective that we CAN always have and share is one of pride in the incredible work that we, as teachers, do each day. Pride shouldn’t leave us because we are tired. Pride should truly resonate in our tiredness because it is even more proof of a job well done. Now, lets just get to the point on this topic… the incredible value of teachers has become so completely realized throughout this pandemic that the old adage of “those who can do and those who can’t teach” should be forever harnessed as the complete nonsense that it is. What we do is hard work and takes a lot of expertise to do well. Full stop. So, when the policy (whatever it is) has changed again, or the guidelines for a “safe classroom” shift in a direction that we cannot always follow, or we are just so darn tired… seek perspective. Ask yourself, where is the good in this situation? And, the answer that you should always have is YOU. YOU are the GOOD! And then, go from there. Find your joy, seek your peace and lock in that perspective.
Together, we are an incredible team of educators that are admired all over this world! Its true! So, lets continue to be this amazing despite what life or this government has in store for us. Be united in conviction, strong in your purpose and educated in what it means to be actively involved in supporting your profession and its value. Keep focused on the very best of you and how you share that with others while keeping yourself safe and healthy. BE. WELL. Because, the reality is that if we falter in this very basic retention of a good healthy perspective, we will fracture. And, we are too damn important for that! And, if the time comes that you do have to do a little “falling apart”, own it, do it in a healthy way, seek help and let it out in a safe place. You are worth the strength that it takes to put yourself back together. Perspective.
I want all of you to know that I am more proud than ever to be a teacher and to have the privilege to work with students and instill the confidence that they need to feel safe with us as their teachers. Even where there are limits to what we can do and what we can offer to our students and community, do not let the reality of our importance and influence escape you. Because, it’s all just a matter of perspective right? That, my friends, is the difference between a fruitful 2020-2021 and one that strips us of our worth and wellness.
With admiration and Gratitude, I wish you all the very best always.
Peace,
Sandra