Hants West NSTU

Please e-mail your MLA and ask for a solution to the teacher shortage.

 

A new year is always a cause for optimism, and I know all of you were excited to return to school after the holiday break to reconnect with your students.

Unfortunately, the intensifying teacher shortage that plagued 2023, has returned early in 2024 and is making it challenging for you and your colleagues to meet the diverse needs of students. 


With respiratory and other viruses on the rise, and with substitutes unavailable to fill in for absences, more and more specialist teachers such as school counsellors, resource teachers and literacy support teachers, are being pulled away from their normal duties to fill in for their colleagues. Our school psychologists, speech language pathologists and social workers are also experiencing challenges because of increasing shortages. This disproportionally impacts our most vulnerable students who miss out on the individual or small group support they rely on to achieve their learning needs.

For months, the NSTU has been calling on the Province to develop a provincial strategy to address the teacher retention and recruitment crisis. This needs to include a review of classroom conditions along with improved compensation for our substitute teachers, who are amongst the lowest paid in Canada.

Unfortunately, action on this is long overdue, and it is becoming harder and harder for students to get the support and help they deserve in a timely manner. 

That’s why, on Wednesday February 7th, 2024,  I’m asking you to help amplify our advocacy efforts by sending a letter to your MLA, calling on them to ensure investments are made so every school has enough teachers and specialists to provide safe, healthy and truly inclusive learning environments where all children can learn and thrive. 


All you need to do to support this effort is visit: www.actforeducation.ca/action/  and fill out a few brief fields and a pre-prepared message will be sent to your MLA. 

The platform is able to determine the appropriate MLA to send to, based on your postal code. *If there is more you need to say that isn’t already in the message, please feel free to provide your own edits. 

Similarly, once the email is sent, you will have an option to promote the page on your social media channels so more people can join our call to action. I encourage you to do so. 

 Also, we will begin using text messages, when appropriate to remind you to take part in our mobilization efforts. This will begin in February. To ensure you receive a text message, please modify your NSTU account profile.

Don’t forget, please wear your Our Kids Can’t Wait button on Wednesday, February 7th as a show of solidarity with your colleagues, recognizing you are all experiencing the same challenges. 


Our kids are our future. Let’s make sure our classrooms have the resources and professionals so every child can reach their full potential. #Our Kids Can’t Wait.

 

Ryan Lutes



Local News

Congratulations to Ms. Campbell , and Ms.  Dimoff for winning our first Hants West Rep. draw.  President Goucher was the presenter. 

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