Letters to the Editor

Professionally Speaking welcomes letters and articles on topics of interest to teachers. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and to conform to our publication style. To be considered for publication, letters must provide the writer’s daytime phone number and registration number. Address letters to: The Editor, Professionally Speaking at ps@oct.ca or 101 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON  M5S 0A1.

transition to teaching

More reaction to “Transition to Teaching”

Frank McIntyre wrote that it’s not getting any better for newcomers to teaching  these days. (“Transition to Teaching,” Professionally Speaking, March 2013). I would guess that it not easy for newcomers to almost any profession. I don’t have studies to back me up but I know that in my children’s chosen fields they were also unemployed or underemployed in their first couple of years out of university. My son is an actor, which has traditionally been a tough field to break into anyway. But my daughter, who chose library studies over teaching, has finally found a part-time librarian contract, nearly a year after graduating. Her fellow classmates are in similar circumstances. So new teachers should not feel alone in their struggle to find full-time work in Ontario or elsewhere.

 

Susan Bunting, OCT, is an occasional teacher in the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic DSB in Peterborough.


While reading the March issue of Professionally Speaking, I was disappointed to discover that the College continues to grant accreditation for programs in education. Pages 46–47 presented the increasingly difficult situation many new teachers face when entering an overcrowded job market. Yet on page 65, the College announced accreditation of four programs at Lakehead University. While I accept the idea that competition may allow the best candidates to advance, I find it unacceptable that so many people are allowed to pursue a career that is largely unattainable. Why does the College and the Ministry continue to allow an excessive number of people to pursue a career, at great effort and expense, with little chance of success? Could it be that the economic windfall that teacher certification has become outweighs the obvious need to reduce the number of graduates?    

Shawn Chaplin, OCT, is certified to teach history in the Intermediate/Senior divisions.


“E” is for “embarrassing”

E-Learning Ontario is failing our students. According to the MOE website, “E-Learning Ontario is about digital learning in a secure environment: learners take courses developed and delivered by qualified Ontario teachers and their progress is consistently monitored, as it would be in a classroom.”

Many e-Learning teachers teach full-day classes in traditional classrooms, which means digital learners may not receive the necessary feedback, forcing them to move on to another assignment without support.

E-Learning Ontario is not interactive. Teachers do not return assignments or tests, or discuss students’ progress. Learners are expected to teach themselves, leaving them at risk of failure.

The Ministry of Education website is just as misleading for parents. “Parents have peace of mind knowing: Courses…are developed and mediated by qualified Ontario teachers; dedicated e-learning teachers interact with students as often as required online, and consistently monitor their progress; most resources accessible through the Ontario Education Resource Bank meet Ontario Curriculum expectations.” None of this is true. If you’re considering an e-Learning course, be wary.

Laurel Karry, OCT, is a retired English, French and ESL teacher in the Hamilton-Wentworth DSB.


The case for lifelong learning

I find it ironic that in your September issue there is a feature about the elderly Ontario former Chief Justice Patrick LeSage reviewing the College and a letter questioning whether older teachers should retire to make way for younger teachers.

Under the Canadian constitution, a justice of a superior court can stay in office until the age of 75. Could it be suggested that teachers might also be able to work to this age?

The Charter gives an equal benefit under the law, regardless of age. Is there something so special about teachers that requires them to be denied their Charter Rights for the advancement of the profession or the better education of students? If there is this idea that old people should not teach young people, how do we develop notions of Charter equality in our students when our impulse is otherwise?

The idea that recent graduates and young teachers can bring fresh perspectives to teaching seems to undermine the concept of lifelong learning. There is scope for continuing registration with the College to be conditional upon teachers taking recognized further education, such as completing AQs, a higher degree, and so on. In other countries those in skilled trades are required to regularly take further coursework and practice to remain licensed. Perhaps this idea could be adopted by the teaching profession in Ontario?

A fundamental tenet of education is that it equips people to deal with the diversity of life’s challenges. Surely a teaching degree can assist those who cannot find a teaching job to seamlessly move into another career where there are greater employment opportunities.

Peter Woof, OCT, principal, Canada Zibo SS, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China.


Good advice for a real problem

I found the “Dealing with Aggressive Parents” article in the December 2012 issue of Professionally Speaking very refreshing. We have all encountered these parents and finally someone has come forward with the tools to deal with these types of situations as well as highlight the fact that yes, all teachers at some point or another WILL have to deal with these parents. The various suggestions were helpful, and knowing there is a chain of command as well as reiterating the policies and procedures that are in place were all a source of comfort. Finally, a useful article for one and all.

Whitney Aziz, OCT, is a health, physical education and English teacher at Dr. Norman Bethune CI in Scarborough.