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Let's back up a second and talk about a few reasons why #bced teachers are having some emotions today.
1. The stages.
We were planning for return in Stage 2 or 3. What we weren't planning for was a brand new stage, with the same name, which wasn't called out during the presser.
1. The stages.
We were planning for return in Stage 2 or 3. What we weren't planning for was a brand new stage, with the same name, which wasn't called out during the presser.
1.1 There are still staff and students thinking we're going back in the Stage 2 hybrid model we'd planned for. We're not.
2. The cohort scheduling
Ignoring the fact that 120 teens is a lot of people, the scheduling to make this work is a nightmare. It limits 120 students to some combination of only 4 courses.
Ignoring the fact that 120 teens is a lot of people, the scheduling to make this work is a nightmare. It limits 120 students to some combination of only 4 courses.
2.1 Yes, semester students typically see ~120 students a day, but these aren't the same 120 kids for every student. A dozen grade 10 blocks run at once. Every class is a combination of kids from 11 other classes -- not 4.
2.2 Even to run a quarter system like Fleming mentioned, those kids need to now be divided among only 4 classes, instead of the usual 12. It will be a massive undertaking, and the teacher counselors who normally do much of this are on break.
3. Teachers are no longer sure what they're teaching
Ordinarily, timetables are built based on teacher availability and student course requests. With the need to rejig student timetables (ie. their course requests), there will likely be changes to teacher schedules, too.
Ordinarily, timetables are built based on teacher availability and student course requests. With the need to rejig student timetables (ie. their course requests), there will likely be changes to teacher schedules, too.
3.1 Which means that it's extra frustrating to hear that we have weeks to plan when we don't truly know what to plan for. This is especially aggravating since we DID plan for September in June, and found out today that it was wasted mental capacity.
4. Inconsistencies
#bced teachers notice when the same protocols we're told are necessary for our personal lives don't apply to our work lives. We're left feeling like our work is being given higher priority than our lives. Which, yes, may sound melodramatic given current stats,
#bced teachers notice when the same protocols we're told are necessary for our personal lives don't apply to our work lives. We're left feeling like our work is being given higher priority than our lives. Which, yes, may sound melodramatic given current stats,
4.1 but remember we've been told it's unsafe to spent prolonged time inside with groups. And now we're being told to spend prolonged time inside with groups. We see the inconsistency, and we don't know how to trust it given its disconnect from the general public health messaging.
Which leaves me to say I've been happy with BC's efforts, and I trust that Dr. Henry would not be doing this is she didn't believe in it. That doesn't, however, mean I don't have concerns for my students or colleagues, and what this plan will mean for my work and personal lives.
