Dear editor,
I am writing in response to the teacher hate mail published in last Wednesday's paper.
I am worried that unfounded accusations are being laid against teachers and that these allegations are being accepted as fact.
The writer first expresses outrage at blank cards handed out students. All that this concerned grandparent had to do was pick up a phone and call any of their granddaughter's teachers and they would have found out the following.
First, that the report cards likely were not handed out by teachers, but rather by administrators because these report cards have nothing to do with teachers.
Secondly, that administrators are required to send home this 'report card,' and this is the only reason that such documents have been sent home. While on the phone, this grandparent could have asked how his granddaughter was doing and would likely have gotten a very precise and detailed overview of this student's successes and challenges so far this year.
Finally, the concerned grandparent attacks teachers, saying, 鈥淒o your job and quit punishing kids.鈥�
I wonder if his granddaughter was upset by this report as he was? I would also challenge him to go in to any school after school hours, or even better, during hours and find a teacher who is not doing their job. Teachers work long and exhausting hours in order to best educate our youth.
Our job action is about anything other than punishing kids 鈥� we are fighting to better the education of your children and grandchildren. We are fighting to reduce class sizes, which would allow for more attention to each child. We are fighting for more support, again to better educate your children.
So next time, please, take a moment, take a breath, and think who it is you are attacking 鈥� the person who is working day in and day out to give your child or grandchild a chance for a better future.
Michelle Attfield,
Courtenay
