New Teachers @ MindSay

well, negotiations didn't pan out, and now our teachers are on strike. yes, I am here at the college, but I have every right to be here. We had to cross the picket line, and it was pretty awkward for me. The majority of the teachers at the entrance that we drove through are teachers I've had in the past. I really don't agree with why they're striking. They say it is because they are trying to get a better education system for us, but we all know it's because they think they are over-worked and underpayed, which really isn't the truth. Like I mentioned yesterday, they wanted three things: a) Less students per class b) Higher wages and c) More teachers. however, I find it highly improbably that the government will grant these three things to them. I can only see a possibility of two of them, either: a) Less students per class and more teachers with the same or less pay OR b) Higher wages with the same number of students or more per class, and the same number of teachers. I think it's only fair that way. No one should be paid more for work they aren't doing! I know the majority of these requests and complaints are coming from the bigger city schools in Toronto and stuff, but it's still the same thing! If you aren't teaching as many students, why should you be paid for it?! This is not fair to these students who have worked so hard in these past few years/months in order to be here. Any student I talk to believes that these teachers should continue working, finish this semester and then work out their differences during the summer holidays. That way, it does not affect anyone's education or future. Now, these poor students have to wait until the strike ends, then come back to classes which will run into their shortened summer break already, causing many to lose jobs, or miss jobs because they were so late returning from school. If the strike lasts twio weeks, the semester will run into the summer break for two weeks. If these teachers really cared about these student's educations, they would not be striking right now, they would be in these empty classrooms, teaching their students. There is plenty of time to work out their differences during the summer. However, I don't think they would ever do that, because it would not draw enough attention from the public, so they would not bother wasting their time!

ps.- My croissant dropped on the floor this morning! :( it made me sad!

So, I haven't really done anything exciting lately. We went to Friday Night Magic, adi and dale played while I read the Da Vinci Code and put the results in. I read Memoirs of a Geisha last week. It was really quite good, and I'm really excited about seeing the movie! I also bought the soundtrack on friday, it's so beautiful! I'm listening to it right now, as well as my Zen Garden on my MP3 player. I really like that type of music...it's very relaxing, and gets rid of my headaches, so they do good things! :)

So, I'm sitting in the computer lab at the college (even though it's march break), and the teachers are sitting downstairs, discussing the possibility of going on strike (it starts tomorrow by the way!). Ya, these are college teachers going on strike! How is that fair?!?!? these students srimp and save year round in order to go to these schools, and now, the teachers decided that their hard work means nothing to them, and that they have the right to strike! Wanna know what they're striking about!? A) Smaller classrooms B) More teachers C) higher pay. HOw is that even fair?! they should only get either smaller classrooms and more teachers with the same or less pay or bigger classrooms and more pay with less teachers. it is not fair to the students, government or the taxpayers to ask for all three and then strike when only one or two of them are addressed. I do not think that it is fair. They are jeopardizing these students future just to satisfy their greediness. and they don't really need more money, they make at least $95,000 a year. which is a heck of a lot compared to what these students make. I never understood strikes, and I never will, I will not be unionized, and I will probably lose many jobs because of that, but i do not agree with the terms of striking. it is stupid.

anyways....there's my rant...I'm going to go drink my tea! :) BYE!

LIVE CHAT: Advice for New Teachers   WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, 6 p.m. (EST) WHERE: http://www.edweek-chat.org

Join us Wednesday, Aug. 24, 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time for a live online chat focusing on the needs of new teachers as we head into the new school year. Two recognized experts will take your questions on the challenges new teachers face and the resources and strategies they can use to overcome them. The chat seeks to benefit both new teachers and those who support them. GUESTS: Dr. Scott Mandel is the author of "The New-Teacher Toolbox: Proven Tips and Strategies for a Great First Year" (Zephyr Press) and founder and developer of the Teachers Helping Teachers Web site ( http://www.pacificnet.net/~mandel ). He has been an educator for more than 25 years and currently teaches gifted English and history at the Pacoima Middle School Television, Theatre, and Performing Arts Magnet in Los Angeles. Lisa Vahey is the director of the New Teachers Network, a teacher induction program administered by the University of Chicago's Center for Urban School Improvement. NTN offers coaching sessions, group meetings, and online support for first-year and second-year teachers in Chicago Public Schools. Submit advance questions here: http://www.edweek-chat.org/question.php3 No special equipment other than Internet access is needed for this chat. A complete transcript will be posted soon after the chat ends.