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standing up to bullies
All around my school are posters advertising February 29th as the day students are to wear Pink Shirts as a way to take a stand against bullying. We teach our kids that they need to stand up for...
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the 180 day birthday party
Well. Teachers in BC are apparently going out on strike Monday. Why? It is all about Bill 22 that strips the rights of teachers to negotiate contracts that protect learning conditions. Check out the...
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Why are teachers so upset?
Teachers are upset because we were under the impression that Canada was a democracy, and we are very confused about why more people aren’t very, very concerned about a legislature that doesn’t...
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What do you appreciate in your teachers?
I asked the few 16 to 18 year old students here today in my Communications 11 and 12 (non-academic English) class what they appreciate about their teachers. We had a little fun rephrasing things into...
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poem- the line
Picket signs propped in front of us we strike for a better world either strolling the side walk or strumming harp or guitar. A strike is like a barbeque for a cause fueled by coffee and doughnuts...
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allegory of the rich man and his gardener
An allegory: Chris has the most beautiful garden in the city. He has a gardener who has been working on it for years, carefully cultivating special plants, and creating special features that are the...
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political statement- BC teachers’ strike
This is why teachers in BC are on strike. I find most people in our community understand that we’re out for a reason and they are *very* supportive: bringing us food, coffee, waving, honking, etc....
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poem-creative protest
Today, I’m picketing injustice with my son’s guitar. Time to learn how to play. A rainy picket day may as well bring new skills, since there’s no other pay. Tagged: BCTF, guitar, line, picket,...
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poem- fight for rights #Iwillholdtheline
I will fight for what’s right. I will demand my government obeys the law. I will fight for what’s right. I will stand in defence of contracts illegally torn. I will fight for what’s right. I will not...
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poem-smoke
You are smoke You wind your lies Through the crowds Til they are choking and gasping Then you fade away and blame the sick that they are ill. . . . Just in case you’re tired of my Teachers’ Strike...
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commentary- BC government extortion & Orwellian life
I am not a political person. I voted conservative most of my life. I have never canvassed for a political party. I have never held any union position, even something as innocuous as shop steward. I...
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commentary- working for free
One of the interesting things that happens on a picket line, is that people talk to one another. In a school, most teachers are so over-worked, they rarely get out of their corner of the world to...
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commentary- Dear Parents of BC
The following is my own opinion. After discussions with many friends and colleagues, I feel secure in using a collective ‘we’ rather than the singular ‘I’. We’re voting to ratify a negotiated...
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poem-soul rain
It’s grey and misty out like our future Vote yes? Vote no? Rain on our hopes. . . . (This is actually about the BC Teachers’ ratification vote, but since Scotland is also in the midst of its...
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poem-snow day
It snowed and snowed and snows and snows. The radio announces the school districts are cancelling school. The radio announcers laugh at how happy the kids are to have extended vacation. Meanwhile the...
View Articlepoem-care
She shouldn’t care more about you than you do yourself. Your success should be on your shoulders not on hers. She can guide, support, aid, but you must do the work, think the thoughts, stretch your...
View ArticlePoem- Summer storm
This air is thick enough to drown in Wading through your words Lightning flashes in the hills like my anxiety after the press conference. Summer storm raging. They announce back to school plans. I’m...
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