Sporting slogans and signs condemning the provincial government’s education agenda, hundreds of teachers and support staff marched in downtown Midland Friday to voice their concerns.
With strikers representing every educational union in the region, those surveyed said they’re growing frustrated by what they see as not just government inaction, but also complacency when it comes to bargaining in good faith.
“There are just so many reasons for us to be here today,” said Lisa Mildon, a Grade 5 teacher at Huronia Centennial Elementary School in Elmvale.
“The conditions that we teach in are getting harder every year. We don’t have enough support.”
Carissa Foley works as a designated early childhood educator (DECE) in a kindergarten class at St. Antoine Daniel Catholic School in Victoria Harbour.
“For our kids, we need to make sure our classrooms are not jam-packed,” said Foley, who has three children, including one with special needs.
“I experienced the importance of having a smaller class size to help my own child be nurtured and grow. I don’t think it would have been the same if there had been 28 or 29 kids in her kindergarten class.”
As well, Foley said if one child in a classroom setting is acting out or not getting the help he or she needs, it has a domino effect on every other student.
Fellow DECE Zita Quesnelle agreed, echoing Foley’s sentiments.
“We’re here because we want to make sure our students’ needs are met,” said Quesnelle, who works at École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Croix in Lafontaine. “If we don’t start supporting them at a young age, it will end up costing us more as they get older.”
Sainte-Croix educational assistant Mélanie McBride said it’s essential that all school employees be recognized as essential from the secretarial and custodial staff to DECEs, EAs and teachers.
“Teachers can’t do it alone,” she said. “We need to work together to ensure every child’s potential is met. I challenge (Premier) Doug Ford to spend a day in the classroom."
Tay Shore Public School FSL teacher April Beeney said it sends an important message that all school unions came together for Friday’s rally.
“We’re banding together to fight against cuts to education,” she said, noting the government seems disinterested in doing what’s best for students in terms of reducing class sizes and increasing educational support.
“It’s frustrating. We’re all here today because we want to support our students.”
Many passersby seemed supportive of Friday’s job action with drivers often slowing down to honk their car horns as a sign of encouragement to those carrying placards, which included some clever ones like ‘Don’t let my students get run over by a Ford.’
Darcy Campbell brought a tray and basket of baked goods to support the teachers and staff at her children’s Victoria Harbour school.
“My kids go to Tay Shores and I know what it’s like to be in a union and have your voice heard,” said Campbell, who has two children at Tay Shores and another attending Georgian Bay District Secondary School.
“They need the support of our community.”
Mildon, who has been teaching for 21 years, said the changes that have occurred in the last little while are mind-boggling.
“I’ve been punched two times so far this year by a student who is larger than me,” Mildon said, noting violence has become more pervasive in elementary schools across the region as support levels have dropped.
“The kids that are deregulated need more support, especially more one-on-one support. It’s not the same classroom that I started teaching in. We’re now trying to do more with less.”
