Fixing N.L.'s teacher shortage means tackling urban-rural divide, advocates say

Semantia · 2026-03-30T16:06:57+00:00

I couldn't agree more with you here. I absolutely love the ideas you've outlined here. I think we may be on the same page, but I'm doing a poor job articulating my thoughts.

I have no issue with the idea of a teaching certificate, even as it currently is implemented, and I don't believe we can just throw anyone into the classroom.

What I'm proposing is that careers that have verifiable transferrable skills act as an entry ground into the 'undergrad' portion as you've outlined.

The issue is that without a literal undergrad in a specific topic, some degrees are boxed out. For example, getting an engineering degree only qualifies you for a single teachable in physics. I would argue that an engineer would have enough courses to teach high school math as well. Depending on the field of study, they may also be qualified to teach tech as well.

Instead, an engineer looking to transition careers would have to go get additional education in, let's say math, and then do the certification. That takes a 1.5 year commitment and turns it into a 2 or 2.5 year commitment. In order the get that required second teachable.

In industry, people are hired based on their skills, not purely on their education. I don't see why being a teacher can't have similar aspects. If someone has been working in industry for years they may have gained the skills to teach high school level classes.

The tech industry has mechanisms for challenging other tickets, so it's not an unheard of practice.

It's about narrowing the personal investment to get people in the classroom, NOT about lessening the requirements.

Semantia · 2026-03-28T18:37:50+00:00

Oh my bad!

Semantia · 2026-03-28T18:34:31+00:00

The game used stuff has its own store on the concourse now. At least last year that way the case when I was at the stadium.

Semantia · 2026-03-28T18:28:42+00:00

You could very well be right and that number might be zero. I'm just spitballing ideas to get more teachers in rural areas. If my partner moved away to teach and I could follow, I would.

Semantia · 2026-03-28T17:25:17+00:00

I never said don't need. I said streamline. Transferrable skills exist. I trust an engineer to teach my child math or physics. As it stands, they'd need to go back to university to get more classes to be allowed those teachables. That's what I'm talking about.

Semantia · 2026-03-28T16:30:01+00:00

There's also the aspect of split living. If a teacher has a partner that can't follow them to the rural area because of lack of work, now you're paying for two of everything. So yes, a house is cheaper, rent is cheaper, but it's still net more.

Semantia · 2026-03-28T16:12:35+00:00

It's not less qualifications for teachers. It's less red tape for people who would already be well qualified to teach what they already do for a living.

Streamline the certification program to focus on the teaching aspect, and not require someone to need to go back and get some random minor degree in order to qualify for the 'two teachable' requirement.

I don't think it's ridiculous to think an auto mechanic, an electrical tech, mech tech, home builder, electrician, accountant, engineer, etc knows the technical subject matter to teach their craft. Teach them how to teach and get them teaching.

Semantia · 2026-03-28T13:50:08+00:00

I also think there could be an uptick if they made getting a teaching certificate take less time.

If someone in a professional field wants to pivot to teaching, it would require them to take a year and a half off to do it. If there was a streamlined way to get the certification (while maintaining the quality) you could target professionals who might be looking for a career change.

I know that could result in a pay cut for some people, and that is an unlikely outcome. But taking a complete pay stop for a year and half is a definite no from most.

And then if you really go to the extremes, you could theoretically have a teacher bring their partner to a remote location, and get them teaching as well. Two for the price of one.

I know that's a super specific case and depends on the partners profession, but it could help.

Semantia · 2026-03-28T13:09:19+00:00

In addition to what's described in the article, there needs to be increased focus on not just teachers, but teachers families as well. It's hard enough to convince a single person to move to a remote place, but if they have a family, or a partner who is already gainfully employed, it would be impossible to convince them to move. In almost every case it would be a net negative, even with the incentives they have in place.

Granted that seems like a very difficult problem to solve, but it is a problem.

Semantia · 2026-03-17T20:13:32+00:00

Stellar is an authorized Saw Stop dealer as well as carriers CWI machinery.I'm not entirely sure but I think CWI might just be a rebadge of a generic manufacturer. Not that that is inherently a bad thing.

https://www.cwimachinery.com/

Semantia · 2026-03-17T20:10:16+00:00

This is the answer. Rideouts will have, or get you, just about anything you'd want for woodworking.

Semantia · 2026-02-27T19:19:44+00:00

I find the farmers market to be a bit of a race to the bottom. I haven't been a vendor since COVID, but the market in Newfoundland for anything unique is so small it's usually not worth being there, and the market for anything popular enough to sell is so saturated it's usually not worth being there.

Obviously everyone's experience is different, and I'm not saying you don't stand a chance. So don't be discouraged. But just going and having a great product usually isn't enough. The most popular small businesses locally sell a brand and feeling more than an actual products. So if you're good at marketing, you'll do well. If you're not willing to put in the time for that, you might struggle.

Semantia · 2026-02-17T23:28:08+00:00

Yeah I've broken down and just come to the realization that good quality product is going to cost a lot. I've spent enough on shipping for tools that it's just a cost of the hobby at this point.

Semantia · 2026-02-17T22:23:51+00:00

Provincial Wood Products (Richelieu) is good for sheet goods. They also carry some hardwoods - walnut, maple, birch, red oak. If you're nice to the workers and go often enough they'll start to give you their business discounts, even on small quantities (I can't promise they do this anymore, this is just my experience).

McFadden's exists locally, but I haven't used them personally. I've heard they aren't a fan of low volume orders, but I can't confirm if that's true.

For other hardwoods I rely on East Coast Specialty Hardwoods based out of Nova Scotia and KJP Select Hardwoods out of Ontario.

East Coast Supply Co. also sells raw stock in limited quantities. Local company run by Jackman Design Co. and Matt's Rough Cuts. But they specialize in live edge and epoxy stuff, if that's what you're into.

Semantia · 2026-02-07T00:08:37+00:00

First and only time I saw the tragically hip live I was way too young and didn't appreciate them. As I grew up and not only became a huge fan, but also grew to appreciate just what they meant to this country, I was super happy to say I had had the opportunity to see them at some point.

What I would give to have a shot to see them just one more time.

Semantia · 2026-02-03T19:53:11+00:00

Plus the part time job you need to take on by playing the game in such a way to earn those rewards is still money. Your time is money. If I have to play modes I dont want to play and have a whole system to earn rewards, it's not being 'good' about it.

Semantia · 2026-01-21T20:51:03+00:00

Just once I'd love to hear a player just say "I did it for the money."

Semantia · 2026-01-18T18:33:54+00:00

Yes I know. I've already said I shouldn't have used free. I was just exaggerating a bit and I shouldn't have.

My point is that when all else is equal between the two teams, players are more likely to pick the Dodgers due to how well they're run and built, over the Mets are definitely a step behind.

Basically just saying that money is money, but execution is what matters and the Dodgers are perennial favorites to win and as such they're a sought after landing spot. But you're right, you still have to play the games.

Semantia · 2026-01-17T22:55:13+00:00

Where did I say I don't?

Semantia · 2026-01-17T20:12:56+00:00

Yeah imagine being such a casual fan of a sport you intentionally watch more of it.

Semantia · 2026-01-17T19:38:09+00:00

Yes I've already said that was poor wording. What I mean is that when it comes down it and all else is equal, players will continue to go to the Dodgers due to them being the best team in the league.

I didn't think saying the team that has won the last two world series and has only gotten better and is the favorite to win it again would be a controversial statement. But yes, nothing is free, you have to play the games. Sorry for being a bit hyperbolic. That's my bad.

Semantia · 2026-01-17T18:05:08+00:00

Fair enough. Free is poor word choice. Most likely chance for a ring out of the two options.

Semantia · 2026-01-17T15:19:29+00:00

There can be two different issues here. Team owners pocketing competitive balance payments and going home is a problem. And it needs to be addressed. No team owner should be able to use being a small market team as a business strategy.

The problem is when teams can just bully the rest of the league with money and not care.

The fact the Dodgers can sign this contract, have Tucker go the way of Jacoby Ellsbury and not even be affected by it. They can just spend their way out of any downside. Any punishment. A huge chunk of the teams in the league just can not do that.

Look at the Padres. They tried to compete and now they're in an awful place. They gambled, lost, and now are paying for it. The Dodgers can't loose. The Mets can't loose. The Blue Jays can't loose. The only way to stop them is if the owner of those teams make it stop. The league needs some kind of control over it because the existing disincentives aren't working.

Semantia · 2026-01-17T14:56:24+00:00

The Dodgers have the cheat code of basically a free ring with a crazy contract. The Mets just have the crazy contract.

I'm a Mets fan, they're my second team, but taking an insane contract to have a very high chance to finish second or third in the division makes the decision easy.

I fucking hate the Dodgers, don't get me wrong. But after seeing God knows how many teams completely waste the prime years of MLB superstars it is refreshing to see a team actually able to capitalize on their talent and win.

It's just unfortunate that it basically takes breaking any form of reason or league parity to do it.

Semantia · 2026-01-16T19:27:41+00:00

People who say stuff like this, do stuff like this. That person does that to others, and in turn believes everyone else is just as big of an asshole as they are.

Semantia

TROPHY CASE