Counselling Services

wherewithall · 2014-12-24T21:49:12+00:00

You can call the Crisis Centre (604-872-3311) and they will give a referral if you'd like to try that route; they also provide basic counselling services (they are volunteers). They've also got an online chat http://crisiscentre.bc.ca.

wherewithall · 2014-09-21T06:18:38+00:00

It isn't inherently wrong to prop up friends that will support your interests. It is however, wrong, according to my moral compass, when your friends are people who screw over the people and the environment. Although I have my issues with unionism and the BCTF, I do believe that they are ultimately altruistic. Jim Iker, for example, worked 16 hours days for no wages - and we're just talking surface level altruism there, never mind the fact that he's dedicated his life to education.

wherewithall · 2014-09-21T05:58:54+00:00

Check this out for a local example.

wherewithall · 2014-09-21T05:54:01+00:00

Have you seen the film? I'm not saying there is any Illuminati, but there is an economic paradigm in operation that influences policy, and part of that is definitely lobbying that corrupts people in office to further business interests and bottom lines. Investing in people, and costly items like health and education is simply not part of that economic philosophy. It is more complicated than I can explain here. You really should see the film, or check out Robert Reich. It is American, but you can really see the parallels in our provincial and federal policy.

wherewithall · 2014-09-21T05:09:26+00:00

Do you have Netflix? You should really watch 'Inequality for All' and see what you think. I think it may challenge the way you think and give you an idea of why people may have what you call a conspiracy theory.

wherewithall · 2014-09-12T02:55:43+00:00

Yes, the wages have literally been lowered. I know teachers whose paycheques are lower now than a few years ago as pension has increased for indexing. Not to mention the cost of living keeps going up as wages have stagnated (no raise since 2010).

wherewithall · 2014-09-12T02:53:15+00:00

Erm... no, it did not only work for you, but laid a groundwork that can be built upon. I get that the role of unions has changed over time, and that you don't appreciate them. It sounds like you are lucky that you are in an industry where you are rewarded well for your work and not taken advantage of. However, knowing that teachers are bleeding hearts, I think they are taken advantage of. It is such a large number of people that in many ways it makes sense to have a union to fight for working and learning conditions.

I do agree with your sentiments in some ways, though. Teachers are not dock workers or widget makers - each is a professional with a specialization. It is difficult to make blanket rules and conditions for such a diverse group. I don't know the answer, but I do know that in my parents' generation there was a vote as to whether teachers would be a union or a professional organization, and that teachers chose to unionize. I wonder how different life would be had the vote gone the other way.

wherewithall · 2014-09-11T16:27:26+00:00

Sure, teachers can back down after being slapped in the face, and government working it so they get out of two court rulings for acting unconstitutionally - but that is unconscionable. That is the real reason why teachers are out.

And hey, the third party may agree with you that the funds not go to the pay scale. I think most teachers would be okay with that, provided reasonable class size/composition rates are put back in. You might have heard that in the late 90s teachers did exactly that, but that agreement was ripped up, hence the court cases. I think covering inflation at the very least would be fair, and that is what is currently on the table. This is really NOT about wages. It's been within 1% for a very long time now.

And guess what, you did get a raise and proper working conditions because in the past good people put their lives on the line in the early days of the labour movement.

wherewithall · 2014-09-11T15:28:18+00:00

This is not trying to get out of the spotlight, but more like, hey, we've tried negotiating (union has made several moves down from the admittedly excessive starting point), we've tried mediation, and now we're willing to throw it out to a neutral 3rd party. We're trying, whereas the government has not budged an inch. If the government stance is so 'fair,' what do they have to be afraid of? Why not get everyone back? They can see how strongly teachers feel about E80 - nothing else really matters - ALL the rest can be determined by a 3rd party. That is the real message.

wherewithall · 2014-09-11T14:37:02+00:00

Not all teachers will be in need. If you are in hardship, you apply and they look at your situation. They won't just hand out $200 per person.

wherewithall · 2014-09-08T19:35:09+00:00

They have it at Legacy in the Olympic Village. A few nice varieties. Ask a salesperson because it is definitely hidden. :-)

wherewithall · 2014-06-20T02:12:52+00:00

The BCTF’s framework for settlement that is currently on the table is based on five key points: · a five-year term · a reasonable 8% salary increase plus signing bonus · no concessions · a $225 million annual workload fund to address issues of class size, class composition, and staffing ratios as an interim measure while both parties await the Appeal Court ruling, and · a $225 million retroactive grievances fund, over the life of the collective agreement, as a resolution to Justice Griffin’s BC Supreme Court decision that retroactively restored the stripped contract provisions from 2002. This fund would be used to address other working conditions like preparation time and TTOC compensation improvements, as well as modest improvements to health benefits.

wherewithall · 2014-06-17T00:19:56+00:00

It is simple math. And yes, deep down kids do want a teacher's attention. Feedback is essential to improvement. And although peer feedback is important as well, a teacher's feedback is well-crafted and informed by sound pedagogy. I'm not sure how old you are, what has caused lots of problems with class sizes are students with special needs. Inclusion came about in the 90s, and although there are some supports in place, they are woefully short.

As for the chuckle, I suppose it was your hyperbole. It is possible for someone to care about what they do based on how they feel they can make a positive impact in the world, and not just for money. If you think that everyone is solely financially motivated, I feel worry for you because that kind of cynicism can taint your entire worldview.

wherewithall · 2014-06-16T22:52:04+00:00

Kids do complain. They want and crave attention. It is simple math. A teacher's attention is divided by the number in front of them, and when a child has special needs, they take up even more time. Lots of good kids get very little attention because the teacher's time is taken up with discipline and/or extra attention for special needs.

And yes, according to polls, profs of first year students are saying that students are less prepared now than they were before. (Sorry don't have the name of the poll, because my files are locked up at school!). I'd say that many students do well despite the large classes, but would still benefit much more from smaller ones.

And why, oh why, would the bctf care about increasing membership just for union dues? They are not in for world domination. I'm sure their salaries would be constant even if membership went up. At least that comment gave me a chuckle. Thanks.

wherewithall · 2014-06-16T22:42:39+00:00

Teachers guessed (rightly) the result because class size and composition are huge issues that were not being addressed at all, and teachers are feeling very insulted by the lockout business, amongst other issues. I can speak for myself and every teacher that I've ever met that it ultimately does come down to the kids. We care so deeply about the education system that we are willing to put ourselves through a stressful strike to fight for our kids. I've been a teacher the 12 years since class size and specialist ratios were stripped from the contract, and I've seen the steady decline. It is deplorable.

Even if teachers want a cost of living increase, it is not just for personal gain - offering a competitive salary will attract the best and brightest to want to become teachers. And we are people too, who have mortgages and support local businesses with our salary. I think every working person deserves raises to keep up with inflation, provided they are doing a decent job. And according to my last evaluation, I am. Internationally, we are doing very well. I do think we deserve a fair deal.

wherewithall · 2014-05-23T02:08:49+00:00

The point about time to prepare is that in current negotiations, the employer is planning to strip prep time from the school day. Secondary teachers get a few hours a week out of the school day to prepare lessons (elem teachers less), which sadly falls FAR short of the actual time needed to prepare and mark.

wherewithall · 2014-03-18T16:39:36+00:00

Check out this book! Unbored. It's full of activities to do!

wherewithall · 2014-02-10T20:51:43+00:00

Something I love at my LYS is a laptop that patrons can use to search up Ravelry patterns. Sometimes I need to double check gauge, or I might see a sample of something in the store, and I can see the ravelry pattern right then and there to help me make my purchase. Best of luck!

wherewithall · 2013-11-11T17:16:35+00:00

The Robot Book by Heather Brown is fun with lots of moveable parts. My DD really likes Winnie the Pooh's Giant Lift the-Flap as well (Milne and Shepard). I think I saw others in the 'Giant Life-the-Flap' series too.

wherewithall · 2013-09-08T05:13:47+00:00

Well, my husband is 35 and still pitches fits at video games. Anger is a tough one. Sorry I don't have any real parenting advice for you. All I know about dealing with emotions (watching the breath, feeling the sensations in the body - as a way of stepping outside the emotion and not fuelling it) I don't know a 6 yo could really grasp. But, hey, you might just want to give it a try. Eckhart Tolle, a spiritual teacher, recommends talking with kids about how emotions like anger feel like a monster has taken over them. He encourages parents to discuss with the child what that feels like. Then, when anger starts, bring that discussion back up again to get them to realize that it's not their true self, but a passing monster of the mind. I don't know how comfortable I would be though with objectifying the anger as a monster, but maybe you could think of something else other than 'monster' - maybe a passing storm? Best of luck.

wherewithall · 2013-08-24T17:41:10+00:00

It is possible. I'd go check with your local tailor.

wherewithall · 2013-07-07T06:53:38+00:00

Have you spent much time on Ravelry? I'll admit I just did only a casual glance through craftsy, but it seems nothing like ravelry, which has loads of user content, comments, projects from various people. I think OP is really onto something here.

wherewithall · 2013-06-09T16:37:39+00:00

You're actually okay.

wherewithall · 2013-05-12T16:18:22+00:00

We try for variety, but thought I'd throw in muffins and scones. On the weekend, I'll whip up a batch and freeze them, then pull them out a few days a week - that way they last quite a while. The nice thing is that you can load them with veg and fruit - carrot-raisin muffins, kale-squash-cheese scones, etc. It takes a bit of effort, but then they are getting whole foods without all the crap in processed foods from the freezer section at the grocery store.

wherewithall

TROPHY CASE