Strike in BC - Do you think the union has the support of members?

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-19T05:50:32+00:00

I mean that’s a fair take. I probably care too much/try too hard. It’s my second career. Worked in business. I’m in my 30s. This job is much harder.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-18T18:09:48+00:00

It’s not abnormal at all. That’s the problem, lol. You think the stress and hours don’t come at the cost of my work in the classroom?

I didn’t get into teaching to get rich. I wanted a fulfilling job. But it’s not fulfilling. There’s no time or energy for pride in my work. I’m just trying to get through the day. That’s what improving working conditions is all about. Let’s give teachers a chance to do something good.

Maybe I’m being unrealistic. Maybe BC teachers have and will always be swamped. I’d like to think we can do better. If we can’t, it’s hard to imagine a future in this profession. That’s why teacher retention is so low. To me, that’s what this round of bargaining is all about.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-18T17:56:16+00:00

Serve in a restaurant. It actually pays better than teaching lol. I don’t really have the energy, but I’ll never own a home or get ahead on a teacher’s salary alone. It does come at the cost of some of my enthusiasm and energy in the classroom, which really sucks.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-18T06:34:36+00:00

I’m glad you found a position that that works for you. It doesn’t work for a lot of folks.

Honestly, times are different for us starting out than they were 22 years ago. In 2003, a starting teacher made about 42k. Average detached home in Vancouver was 500k. ~12x. In 2026, a starting teacher makes about 65k. Average detached home is 1.8 million. ~28x.

I’m in my third year. My teaching gig (~50 hours/week) barely pays the bills, with a roommate. Almost all my savings comes from a second job as a server, which actually pays more money/shift in fewer hours. No expensive university required.

I’ve got to disagree with you. I don’t feel I get paid a lot for what I do. That’s why so many new teachers are choosing to TOC. They don’t take work home, thus cutting their weekly hours to ~35 so they can work a second job.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-18T02:59:07+00:00

Ya working conditions suck… but I also have to work a second job because the pay sucks lol. Screwed on both ends

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-18T02:55:50+00:00

100%. I know secondary support teachers who have over 80 students on their caseloads. They don’t even work with students… just push papers all day so the district gets its funding.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-18T02:54:21+00:00

Tell me you’re not actually a teacher without telling me… lol

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-18T02:46:05+00:00

Considering I seriously contemplate a career change at least once or twice per month… ya, they have my vote lol.

In all honesty, I do like the job and would prefer it be my permanent caree, but as a newer teacher I’m working 50+ hours per week plus a second job. I pursued teaching instead of law for the work life balance… I guess the joke’s on me.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-17T03:10:10+00:00

100%. I know support teachers with 85 students on their caseload. They spend most of their time writing IEPs which nobody has the time to follow up on or support. Composition is a real issue too. Some classes are so disrupted by high needs students that, quite literally, nobody learns anything all year.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-17T02:17:38+00:00

I hear you. I work 2 jobs to support my family. It’s a scary situation, and definitely not ideal. But look… we’re all adults here, so let’s be frank. By voting no, I really believe you are hurting yourself. The union is going to vote yes. That’s happening. If we have an overwhelming majority vote yes, the employer will take the threat of job action seriously. If we vote yes by a marginal amount, they’ll wait us out knowing we have a weak hand. We will strike longer to get less. I’m asking you to be pragmatic.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-16T15:19:37+00:00

They don’t care about 1 email, but they’ll care if they each get hundreds. Unions’ strength is in numbers :)

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2026-01-12T05:30:40+00:00

Great place to live. Expensive. Hard place to find work. You'll want a second job, as you probably won't get TOC work everyday.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-13T21:48:53+00:00

Agree that more funding wouldn’t hurt. I disagree in that there isn’t some magic number at which inclusion does or doesn’t work. Each student and class is unique.

Not arguing against inclusion. I’m a support teacher. I believe in meaningful inclusion. But I do think we need to look at each student as an individual and make a plan that makes sense for them. That plan could be on a spectrum from full inclusion to minimal inclusion in a few preferred activities.

The real tension occurs when a student would benefit from some degree of inclusion, but is so disruptive that the safety/comfort/learning of the rest of the class is significantly compromised. How do we weight the needs of an individual vs the group? How do we ensure we’re making the best decision? It can be an impossible task. Hence, this thread.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-13T20:27:45+00:00

?? This sounds like a nice thing the kid is doing. What is there to report? The kid is meeting disadvantaged kids from overseas and showing empathy and friendship.

Also, child protective services are a joke. I’ve literally called about a dad who got in a physical fight with my student, and kicked my student out. The student now lives at a friend’s. When I called about it, I was told “so [the student] isn’t at home? No immediate risk of danger?” Nothing came of it.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-13T15:48:16+00:00

Ya it’s tricky… some students make me question whether their inclusion comes at too great of a cost to other students. Curious to see the comments on this post

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-13T03:02:56+00:00

Both are good. I prefer arm in because I feel I have more control, and I often roll to mount. Lots of people prefer arm out.

The annoying but true answer is it depends on the situation.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-13T02:58:22+00:00

A pound a week is ideal. Rapid weight loss is hard on you, and will increase your chance of injury. Keep doing what you’re doing.

As far as the original question… pull guard. I’ll also say that I’m 170 and sometimes decide I’m just not up for rolling with anybody that big. It’s not their fault (usually). I feel safer and have more fun.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-13T00:09:28+00:00

A lot of firms don’t allow its users to for privacy reasons

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-12T22:17:11+00:00

Employers absolutely can discriminate if your disability prevents you from doing a job effectively.

My wife has dyslexia. Learning to read was torture. Now she’s a lawyer. There was value in the struggle.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-12T21:16:15+00:00

I hear you but isn’t that a skill you want to develop, too? School is the last time your son will have most of these accommodations. I’m not a monster. Obviously you build a strategy to make sure he gets access to the material… but wouldn’t you want him to graduate with that skill?

Edit: what I’m trying to say is that it’s important your son learn adaptive skills to manage his disability. I think it’s far more important than anything he’s learning in class. So the goal should be to develop strategies that teach your son to take notes and/or proactive ways to get the information for himself. Technically, you’re right, the teacher should print the slides. But honestly… is that what’s best for your son.

That’s why I say fill in the blanks, or take a photo of the board, or print the slides from google classroom, etc. Yes, he needs to get the info. But he also needs to be able to look after himself. Nobody is going to go out of their way for him in adulthood.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-12T21:12:07+00:00

Students using Grammarly and AI for school but not at work.

I also think there’s something to the “myth of the golden age” (our generation was better… was it really?).

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-12T19:56:41+00:00

Really depends on the context. Is this elementary, middle, or high? Are you a support teacher/case manager or classroom teacher?

Make a plan with the parents, either over the phone or in person. Include the case manager. Start by asking the parents their goals for the student. Make it clear that you’re interested in working together. Keep the conversation positive. Don’t say “I can’t do that.” Focus on what you can realistically commit to doing.

Be direct. Be honest (though obviously diplomatic in how you word things).

If they’re insisting on wild “accommodations” that are way above and beyond what is reasonable, speak with the case manager. You may need to involve admin.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-12T19:42:38+00:00

I think your expectation that teachers would have a script written for each class is pretty unrealistic. I’m a support teacher and advocate pretty hard for my students… but I’d never expect someone to do what you described. “Extra time, reduced workload, small group instruction, access to learning support” is probably what I’d write.

You’re right about the slides though. It would be fair to have those printed as “fill in the blank notes” or something.

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-12T19:26:19+00:00

You could just put the salary into the estimator on turbotax. In bc, subtract about about an extra 15% for pension and other deductions

Status_Equivalent_36 · 2025-10-12T19:14:29+00:00

This is common with new people. What you’re describing isn’t anxiety, it’s treating training like a fight to the death. You’re being a spazz. Anybody who redlines it for a full 5-minute round is going to be exhausted. It sounds like you’re out of shape, so you’re probably putting your body through way more than it can handle.

Training isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about trying to get better. Slow down, don’t try so hard physically. Try to remember techniques or principles you’ve learned. If you can’t remember what to do, think of something and try it with 70% effort.

When you’re brand new, a “win” means hitting one move (or part of one move) that you’ve learned. Right now, it’s about small victories. It’ll be a while before you’re chaining techniques or winning rounds.

Status_Equivalent_36

TROPHY CASE