IN THIS ISSUE
4
4
High hopes for our country
6
Who votes in Canada?
7
I teach, I vote
8
Message du président
9
Project of Heart
10
Provincial Specialist
This is your
MAGAZINE
9
Associations 11
What’s up with the new curriculum?
14 Savour the moment
14
15
Remembering our colleagues
16
BCTF summer conference
18
Federal election quiz
20
24
16
19 It was a rite of passage Better choices for Canada
22
Adult education opens doors
24
It’s a wonderful life
26
Smartphones in the classroom
27
School as sanctuary
Regular features 3 President’s message 12 BCTF matters: Pension update
18
13 Know your rights 21 Solidarity spotlight: Education International
27
25 Kids’ lit 28 Classified ads 31 PD calendar
25 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I CHUCKLED WHEN I READ THE ARTICLE, “Classrooms without walls” (Teacher, Volume 27, Number 5, p. 22). At one school, our entire staff completed an assessment to determine our personality types and triggers. The intent of the exercise was to increase our effectiveness as a team. We divided into our personality groups and were given the task of designing the perfect classroom. The group with the most teachers had matching bulletin boards and tissue boxes. My group of two (I always knew I didn’t fit the traditional teacher role) enthusiastically designed classrooms without walls. We were so excited; the other groups were horrified. —Jenny Cuthbertson, retired teacher
2 TEACHER September/October 2015
Do you enjoy writing? Have a story to tell? An event, topic, or issue you want your colleagues to know about? If so, consider writing for Teacher. We also welcome letters to the editor. If you have any thoughts about any of the articles you have read here and want to share your opinion with other teachers, send your letter to teachermag@bctf.ca. For more information about magazine themes or to submit an article, contact Susan Croll, editor of Teacher, scroll@bctf.ca or 604-871-1877. Teacher reserves the right to edit or condense any contribution considered for publication. We are unable to publish all letters we receive. Please keep your letter to a maximum of 250 words. Deadlines for 2015–16 issues are: October 23, 2015 Nov/Dec issue Jan/Feb issue December 11, 2015 March issue January 15, 2016 May/June issue April 15, 2016
Teacher BC Teachers’ Federation Toll free 1-800-663-9163 Email: teachermag@bctf.ca Web: bctf.ca/newsmag Editor: Susan Croll Assistant design editor: Karen Steel ISSN 0841-9574 Articles contained herein reflect the view of the authors and do not necessarily express official policy of the BC Teachers’ Federation. The BCTF does not endorse or promote any products or services presented in the advertising sections of the magazine. All advertisements will be reviewed and approved by the BCTF. They must reflect BCTF policy and be politically, environmentally, and professionally appropriate.