Impasse

So, it seems we are at an impasse with the strike. The pressure is continuing to mount on both sides. How long can we go without paycheques? How long can the government take a stand while other unions put up picket lines? I guess we'll see.

Everybody has strong opinions on the strike and how it should be resolved. I am quite surprised and encouraged by the support the teachers are getting. I think people realize we are not the enemy. On the picket line, the parents who have been in our classrooms and know what we deal with every day are the most supportive. Even if their political bent is with the current government they are still very supportive.

I feel bad for the kids.....I feel bad for people without daycare solutions.....I feel bad for the grade 12s who will be writing provincials. I really want to be in the classroom on Monday but it looks like I'll be walking the sidewalk instead. I am surprised at how much this is stressing me out. I feel guilty every time Mike DeJong calls us "defiant" or talks about us "breaking the law". I'm not typically a rebel! But, there's no way, as I said before, I'm crossing the picket line. I've still got many years left to work with my colleagues. Besides, I feel pretty strongly about what we're doing. I won't go as far as our union leader and put it on par with Rosa Parks taking a front seat on the bus, but I do feel we need to do something about our education system and the whole bargaining process. I may not always agree with the BCTF, but I do feel passionate about public education and that's what I say to myself when I'm on the line....I'm taking a stand for public education. Every child deserves a good education and every child deserves resources. It's not fair that the schools who do the most fundraising get the best resources. I've taught in both kinds of school and the difference bothers me.

I miss my kids at school and I feel bad when Chelsea says, "When can I go back to school, Mom?" It breaks my heart that it had to come to this.