Schools work best when the government listens to and respects educators’ expertise.
Ontario’s teachers are trained, certified professionals with expertise and experience in delivering curriculum, managing classrooms, and evaluating student progress. Teachers have a practical understanding of how schools operate and what is needed for students to learn and grow.
And yet, government policies and initiatives don’t respect teachers’ professional judgment. For example, curriculum updates are announced without any prior consultation with, or training for, the teachers who will have to deliver the curriculum; school reopening and COVID-19 management plans are made without input from classroom teachers; and valuable time, energy, and resources continue to be wasted on things like standardized testing.