Summer 2006 - The member magazine of the Elementary Teachers

FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARYProfessional Development in a New EraGene Lewis with children atPROMEB (see p.7)GENE LEWISGeneral Secretary, ETFOThroughout the 1990s – particularly during theHarris-Eves years of government – we wereforced as a federation to spend our energies ontrying to preserve public education. We foughtcutbacks in spending and a destructive educationpolicy that affected not only the working lives ofour members but the chance of success for ourstudents.The election of the Liberals in 2003 changedthe outlook for teachers and students. Thisgovernment appreciates public education andthe people whose work is critical to studentsuccess. Nevertheless it has had to meet thechallenge of rebuilding public education andrestoring the confidence of the public in theeducation system.That work is not complete. There is much tobe done. However, what the government hasdone is show its willingness to treat teachers aspartners in public education. Federation leadersand staff are pleased to find themselves workingwith a government that solicits our ideas andexpertise. We may not always agree, but we arebeing consulted and are able to discuss ourconcerns.More evidence of the government’s commitmentto improving the quality of educationand the working conditions of teachers andeducation workers emerged this spring when itmade available funds for teacher professionaldevelopment that will be administered by theFederation.ETFO received $700,000 for professionalprograms for teachers of the early years. (JK/SKsummer institutes will be offered in six locationsthis summer. Teachers can register on-line onour website, etfo.ca.) We have received another$7.2 million to fund, over the next two years,professional development programs to assistteachers to improve education outcomes forstudents whose educational success is limited bytheir socio-economic circumstances.We know that, on average, students frommiddle-and upper-income families do better atschool and are more likely to succeed. To cite anobvious example, students who come to schoolhungry cannot learn well.However, we believe that poverty should notbe destiny and we will use these funds to improveour members’ ability to help children living inpoverty to succeed at school.We know this can be done. There are manyexamples of strategies and programs that helpsuch children achieve. The funding we areadministering will allow our members to learnhow to use those approaches and put in placethose programs.This is an exciting time in education. Thisis the kind of partnership we have sought. Itcreates opportunities for you as members tomake a real difference in the lives of the studentsyou teach – not just those who come to school‘bright eyed and bushy tailed’ but also those whoare harder to reach and harder to teach.There are increased opportunities for professionallearning as a result of this partnership– beginning with expanded ETFO Summer Academyofferings this year. Watch for your chance tobe part of this exciting initiative.etfo voice SUMMER 2006 5