The roll out the new language curriculum illustrates the utter disregard Ford & Lecce have for public ed & the teaching profession. One of the roles I held at ETFO was coordinator of the Professional Learning & Curriculum service area. I have some experience in this area. /1 Firstly, curriculum, particularly a major curriculum like language, normally would take years to develop. Often it would be phased in by division to ensure skills and learning outcomes were properly scaffolded. It wouldn’t be slapped together in a year or so. /2

I'm in a bit of a rage so this thread wont be pretty.

I am in a rage at the calculated way the Ford/Harris grifters focused on business needs over people throughout the pandemic.

I am in a rage because decisions were made which left our eldest and youngest vulnerable.

/1 I am in a rage that we are in a place where testing is a luxury while in other jurisdictions it is a vital part of a pandemic response.

I am in a rage that there are so many people with no sick leave.

/2

I’ve been around the block more than a few times. I’ve worked with multiple ministers of education. I have never seen spin the way I do from this Minister.

I can imagine the conversation when writing the ‘guidance’ memo to boards:

/1 Let’s use the word guidance as often as possible so people think it actually provides some.

Make it confusing and add in lots of verbiage so people don’t see the actual message which is keep schools open no matter what so parents can go to work.

/2

There has been a back and forth for the past few days between paediatricians pushing for schools to reopen for the sake of kids’ mental health and educators concerned about safety.

Here are some thoughts. 1/ Generally I think everyone is united in that they are concerned about safety during a pandemic. Concerned to varying degrees.
2/

I was up in the night filled with rage over the Toronto Sun trying to smear @DFisman for his advocacy for a safe learning environment for kids and a safe working environment for educators.
Some facts:
Fisman provided expert evidence in the OLRB hearing against the government. /1 The government was aware of that evidence in September.
His sworn statement is available publicly.
His statement was quoted in countless ETFO media releases throughout the fall.
His statement was quoted in a letter ETFO absent the Premier in the fall. /2

Shout out to the educators trying to make the best of an impossible situation created by Lecce this week. You were advised of the move to online instruction during a holiday. You probably did NOT receive the extensive training needed to provide effective online instruction. /1 You likely do not have the tools needed to do your job. You likely have materials at school that might have helped you out. Your board likely did not put the necessary plans in place (because they were on holiday too). Everything about this is set up to fail. /2

As I begin my last September as an educator I find myself reflecting upon my first September 33 years ago. I started teaching at a small country school in Milton - Percy W. Merry. We had 125 kids from K-6. I taught grade 4/5. Everyone on staff was female. I was hired because I was a male and I could use computers.

It was a fabulous school in which to start my career. The kids were happy for anything done for them. Their parents, hardworking farmers, supported the school & our efforts. The staff ...