I am an 80-year-old mother of three with six lovely grandchildren. I was an educational assistant and volunteer in three different public schools in this city.
Teachers, from my experience, think they are heads above the rest of us. Only about five teachers ever spoke to me. We all know saying ‘Hello’ is a lot to ask.
When I volunteered, I did get a ‘Thank-you,’ but I was never appreciated. I know teachers volunteer their time with extracurricular activities, but so do a lot of other people. My husband, a labourer, did it for years, and he never asked for or needed praise. Teachers say they do it for the kids ­– baloney. They strike during the school year instead of the summer; they strike on a Friday to get a long weekend.
Many students stand behind their teachers when it’s the students being hindered. What if the teachers were asked to make up their strike days at the end of the year? They’d have a fit, I’m sure.
They are striking for the right to strike.
Ida Tamberline
Guelph