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From the General
Secretary
by Shaun MacCormac
DEAR SANTA
Well Santa,
time for another newsletter article. Christmas already? They say
that time goes faster the older you get, so I must be 100 years old
now, Santa. I could have sworn it was just Annual Convention time.
Like I say
each year, my requests are all with good intent, Santa, I know that
all of these people work hard and do the best that they can for the
children of this province.
I’ll start
with the staff here at Federation House, Santa. The people here are
so great. I enjoy working with them, and they keep me smiling no
matter what’s going on with work.
President
Carrie St. Jean: let’s
start with a seatbelt, Santa. It has been one heck of a ride so far
- kindergarten, negotiations, H1N1 and all the usual challenges we
face here. She has done a great job so far Santa, she deserves an
outfit from Holt Renfrew for the start she has been given. Not that
she’s too fancy Santa, she just has good taste.
Michel
Plamondon: a speaker
phone Santa. His neck and ears get sore from all the help he gives
to teachers with insurance and pension questions. He’d prefer one in
red, white and blue, Santa, with a big C on it, if you have one.
Bob MacRae:
a GPS tracking device for his wife Diane. She retired this year
Santa, but is busier than ever and a sun lamp for the office. It may
make him feel like he’s retired, which we don’t want here yet Santa.
Sheila,
Marion, Lisa and Joanne:
the people who make this place function and make it fun, Santa. We
can never thank them enough. For Sheila - an organizer, calendar,
and watch to give to me! She has enough of her own work to do Santa
but she always seems to keep me on track, a private Lennie Gallant
concert for Marion, for Joanne - the patience to put up with the
rest of us (she fits in well, Santa) and for Lisa...it seems that
you came early, Santa. You sent a healthy baby girl named Lily.
There may be no greater gift.
For the
Provincial Government:
Robert Ghiz:
memory and commitment, Santa. In May of 2007, Robert Ghiz promised
teachers that they would have pay parity with the other Atlantic
Provinces. We hope he remembers and honours that promise, Santa, and
remembers how the last Liberal government treated teachers.
Education is an investment, not an expense. It gives back revenue to
the Province, Santa, and should never be cut regardless of budget
challenges. Premier Ghiz has already shown solid support for
education on PEI. Give him the commitment, Santa, to hold firm in
the face of fiscal challenges. Our students are relying on that.
Gerard Greenan:
the support of his colleagues. In February, we are hoping all MLA’s
will be visiting schools, Santa. Our "Take An MLA To School Day"
will show our politicians the commitment of teachers and the
challenges they face everyday in Island schools. There’s nothing
like first hand experience. The success of our schools not only
affects the constituents who have children, but all of the Island’s
ridings and communities. We know, Santa, that many of the MLA’s have
not been in school for many years. I’m sure they will see it is a
vastly different place than they remember.
Wes Sheridan:
a copy of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and a history lesson from
the early 90's. He seems like a nice enough guy, Santa, and both his
wife and sister are teachers! It can’t be any fun having to be the "Grinch".
Wes will be faced with some tough choices, but as I previously
stated, Santa, education is an investment. His Premier also made a
promise to us. As well, I was around in the early 90's, Santa, when
teachers committed to helping the Province out of its debt woes.
After agreeing to and getting wage freezes for three years, the
Liberals rewarded teachers with a seven-and-a-half percent wage
rollback! "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice..." - not
likely!
The
Conservatives (and NDP):
a Home Depot gift card. Much rebuilding work to do here, Santa, but
I have faith in both Parties. A competitive political system is a
positive thing and keeps the ruling Party in check.
The Department
of Education and Early Childhood Development:
Shauna
Sullivan Curley: more
of the same Santa! The preparation for Kindergarten is coming along
and she has "some" money to make that happen. Next... the
recommendations of the new Gar Andrew report on Staffing and
Funding. I still haven’t seen it yet Santa, but we know it doesn’t
say it is time for cuts! A jet car and/or a chauffeur too, Santa.
She works hard enough, doesn’t she? Now she has to drive to
Summerside as well. She’s a trooper!
Linda Lowther:
a battery charger. She is the energizer bunny - she keeps going and
going! I don’t know where she gets the energy, Santa. As well, the
perennial gift of a great bottle of wine for her continuing support
of Island teachers and continuos championing of French in schools.
John Cummings:
The wisdom of Solomon. Being in charge of the finances and
administration is a tough role. He is a class act, Santa.
Professional, knowledgeable and honourable. It has been a pleasure
working with him, but I don’t envy his role.
School Boards:
Dr. Sandy
MacDonald: Peace on
Earth, or at least in the Eastern School District. It was a hectic
spring for Sandy, Santa. The closing of schools, and the major
changes that brings, is always very challenging. Some band-aids as
well, Santa, for some of the flesh wounds he had to endure in the
face of those changes. You may want to hold off giving him some
shoes for a while, though, ha, ha.
I’m sure his
legacy as a champion of education and great supporter of teachers
will outlast that controversy, however, Santa. He deserves better
than he received on many fronts. Oh yeah, and a re-fill on his
aspirin prescription... re-zoning is on the horizon!
Dale Sabean:
some more "lucky stars". He is done counting the ones that made him
Superintendent of the Western School Board rather than the Eastern
School District. Now that re-zoning needs to be done by Sandy, he
will be looking for more. A holiday this winter too, Santa, with
some warm, sunny golf days. It has been quieter in the Western
School Board, but it is still a tough job and he does it well!
Gilles Benoit:
what ever he wants! He is very professional, reasonable, and hard
working. His Board is unique with so many challenges, Santa. A
bottle of wine like Linda’s would probably be appreciated.
Like every
year Santa, I’ve saved the most important people for last. There are
so many things that I could request for teachers and administrators.
This year, I
think, a reminder to concentrate on the things that matter the most
in education - our students! What we do is not only a job, but for
many a calling. It is an internal need to help others around us, to
see them be happy and to see them succeed.
A reminder
that even though we have a few students that challenge us, we have
so many more who respect us and do the best they can. They may
rarely tell us what we mean to them, but rarely forget their
favorites, and the impact they have had on their lives.
Teaching
continues to be ranked among the most respected professions.
Have a restful
and happy holiday, be good to yourselves, your students, and your
fellow teachers.
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