THE B.C. EARLY CAREERTEACHERS' ASSOCIATION

S u p p o r t i n g N e w & E a r l y - C a r e e r T e a c h e r s a n d T T O C s

BCECTA Newsletter       WWW.BCECTA.CA                Issue 4

@bcecta

NEW TEACHERS'CONFERENCE

p. 25

LITERARY ART ACTIVITYFOR THE CLASSROOM

p. 11APP REVIEWS

p. 9

We are the newest Professional SpecialistAssociation of the BCTF.

Did you know that there hasn’t been a new PSAin British Columbia in over 10 years?

We are pleased to be supporting Teachers­Teaching­on­Call and early career teachers in theirfirst years of teaching. We welcome all teachers, nomatter your age, experience or teaching area. Weare expanding our communications to includeFacebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, while expandingour website as our main resource for providingmembers with support.  Amanda, Nicole, Kendra,Kelly, Jen, Laura, Colin, Aimee, Alexandra andKatherine are updating the BCECTA’s projects on adaily basis. Check back often; there’s more to come!

Our Policy:

To support the work of early career teachers andteachers­teaching­on­call by means of specialservices, resources, networking, and advocacy whileworking toward appropriate and accessibleprofessional development opportunities to meet theunique and diverse needs of new teachers and builda culture of belong to a PSA (Provincial SpecialistAssociation) early in a teacher’s career.

Our Mission:

To serve as a dedicated resource for new and earlycareer teachers in British Columbia.

We believe that high quality, beginning teacherprofessional learning should be:

Pragmatic and classroom­orientedAccessible in terms of proximity and costEasy to implementRelevant to the teacher, school, and classroomenvironmentProven effective based on research, bestpractices, and program evaluationBased on students’ and teachers’ needsContinuously based in a growth mindset

PSA days have been pretty busy for me the past few years. Ihelp to organize conferences, which means that -while I learna lot and make great connections with other teachers on theconference committees - I often end up missing out on theactual workshops. This year, though, I applied for a grantdesigned to let volunteer pro-d organizers gain anexperience to make up for what we've missed out on, and Igot to go to Toronto for the Ontario Modern LanguageTeachers' Spring Conference! I stayed with an Ontarioteacher I met on Facebook , and I'm so glad to have made anew friend. The conference was awesome, and I came homewith lots of great ideas to contribute to our own BCATMLLanguages conference on Oct 21st 2016.

Check out what people were sharing in Toronto during theOMLTA conference by searching thehashtag #Talk2moi2016

-Nicole Jarvis, French 6-12, Delta BCECTA Vice President

BCECTA NEWSLETTER  |   3

BCECTA at the Whistler PSA Conference May 6

BCECTA at the New West &District Labour Council,

connecting with other unions

BCECTA Vice President, Nicole Jarvis at the SurreyTeachers' Association AGM

BCECTA ABOUT

TOWN!

In Toronto for 'Talk to me! Parle-Moi!' Conference

Fantastic view overVancouver as ourConference Chair,Katherine O'Connortravels from Victoria toVancouver

BCECTA at the Teacher Mentorship BCmeeting in May.

New Teachers’ Induction at the VancouverElementary School Teachers' Association (VESTA)

with new BCTF President Glen HansmenBCTF with awesome

colleagues from healthand safety, CASJ and

TTOC AC

BCECTA Executive members, Amanda Long,Nicole Jarvis and Colin Bailey and his wife,out to dinner with BCTF President-elect,

Glen Hansman.

BCECTA

ABOUT TOWN!

BCECTA president, AmandaLong and & Vice President,Nicole Jarvis at a mentoring

network meeting. Looking atways to provide more

mentoring opportunities toBCECTA members.

BCECTA members attending the 12th Tri-nationalConference in Defense of Public Education at UBC.

Are you a social media user?

Now you can follow‘@BCECTA' on Twitterand get updates on pro‐dacross B.C., links to interestingarticles, and join theconversation with hashtags

 #ntchat#beginteach

Expand your ProfessionalLearning Network (PLN)

http://www.twitter.com/bcecta

Find our page on Facebook:search “BCECTA” and ‘like’ us!We have a section for posts &events, and current members canjoin our private group areafor discussions and Q&A.

Join the conversation andexpand your PLN. 

We’d love to hear yoursuggestions for upcomingspeakers, trending topics, orwhatever is on your mind.

www.facebook.com/bcecta

Mark your calendars!Provincial Professional Development Day:

October 21, 2016

Friday, October 21st is the annual Provincial

Professional Development Day for all teachers in BC.

(BC Students had days of classes added to their

school calendar back in the 70's to offset the pro­d

days). Pre­service Teachers' classes at universities

are cancelled that day, thereby enabling teacher

candidates to attend a PD activity. Every subject area

has a provincial specialist association linked to the

BCTF, and most organize at least one annual

conference. 

This year the BC Early Career Teachers'

Association is partnering with the Computer

Using Educators Association to co­host a

conference in Coquitlam. 

Early Bird registration is open soon ­

remember to select BCECTA in the drop

down menu at registration to join or to

renew your membership with us for a full

year!

Register for a conference that excites you,

and tell us about it afterwards!

Keep up with all the Professional Development

news on our website:

http://www.bcecta.ca/pro-d-opportunities/

BC Teacher #AppReviews

This issue's app review was sent to us by SandraCowan, a Coquitlam Montessori 3/4/5 Teacher wholoves movies, karaoke, paint nights, cats, andmaking people laugh. She recently completed herMaster's degree with a focus on classroom design.

You can find her public musings online atpublicmontessoriblog.wordpress.com

I want to promote an app I absolutely live on.  I don’t like it when students have to put theirhands up.  First of all, it’s the same kids all the time.  Second, I want to ask those studentswho are too shy to put their hand up, or who ­ let’s face it ­ aren't listening!  I found an appcalled "Stick Pick."  I put all the kids’ names in, and now I have an instant, randomizedsystem for calling on students for any occasion.

What do you use it for?

Seating arrangements, lining up for assembly, creating groups, choosing who talks first, andmuch much more.  I even use it in my daily life.  I truly detest chores and cleaning in myhome so I put the chores on the sticks and bam, I have a game.  Pick a chore and do it!

I used to have a tin can just like the one in the picture, with their names on popsicle sticks. Now it’s all virtual! 

What's your favourite

tech tool? Email us at

psac77@bctf.ca

 or tweet us @bcecta

Spring has Sprung, time for personal growth and wellness

Spring is my favourite season. It is a time for renewal and new beginnings. Even if the end of

the school year appears to be just around the corner, we can still take time to refresh

ourselves personally and professionally. We're now seeing gorgeous days on Vancouver Island

and I see very warm days forecast in the Northern Interior of the province as I write this.

I draw a lot of inspiration from the trees rapidly coming to blossom and shortly thereafter

shedding those blossoms and revealing new growth. (I also find great annoyance in the ever

earlier-blooming dandelions in my motley lawn, but that's another story!)

Spring can be a time for new growth for us, as well. There are the obvious ways we can

improve our health, such as taking a few minutes each day for a short walk outside, be it at

school or around the block when we get home. We can make new choices when we shop for

fuel for our bodies.

There are also other ways we can improve other areas of our health, such as our financial

health. With summer break coming up, we may be seeing changes in our earning and

spending patterns. Why not get into the habit of creating a budget, or at least tracking your

spending and earnings more closely if you are not already doing so?

How is your home's health? Even if you're not a homeowner, you can get into new habits and

routines when it comes to things such as housecleaning or other chores for the family. There

are many aspects to health that can have an impact on our physical and mental well-being.

And keeping well is important as we head into the home stretch of the school year. There's so

many loose ends to tie up, and, of course, for classroom teachers, there's those all-important

year-end report cards! If all goes well (so to speak), this will be a regular feature in this

newsletter with more detailed ideas and suggestions on improving various aspects of our

health.

Hang in there! The end of June is nigh!

Colin Bailey, BCECTA Member-at-Large

Literary Art Activity for the Classroom...

Amanda Long is a middle school teacher in Coquitlam and President of BCECTA.

You can check out some more classroom ideas on her blog:

http://alonganderson.blogspot.ca/

This is a no cost activity that is great to use as aTTOC or contract teachers. Grab some paint coloursample sheets from any department or hardwarestore and give one to each student.

After a lesson on figurative language ­ inparticular, similes and metaphors ­ students canwrite their own sentences using metaphors andsimiles onto the colour cards. Inspired by boththe colour and the name of the colour (which isoften found on the back of the card), studentscan get creative and practice writing.This is ideal for middle and high school students,however it could also be adapted for elementarystudents: ask younger students to describe whatthe colour reminds them of.

These colour cards also make for great bookmarks, shape punches, andart paper for mosaics. How could you use these paint cards in your classroom? 

How's your wallet? Financial Tips from an Early Career Teacher

If we're TOC'ing, are we allowed to take an unpaid year off to have a baby?

What if i was a "professional TOC" for my whole life, would I get a pension?

If I would get a pension still, does TOC'ing for a long time have anegative impact on my pension?

- Questions from Katrina in Surrey (TTOC for French and Spanish)Nicole Jarvis, BCECTA Vice­President, grew up with a Financial­Planner dad who worked for Investors' Group.

She is glad to see Personal Finance & Investment in the Planning 10 curriculum!Feel free to email Nicole if you need help making sense of your paycheck or personal finances. PSAC77@BCTF.CA

https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/TTOC/dispatch/February2016.pdfhttps://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/TTOC/dispatch/April2016.pdf

There is even an advice column! If you have questions for Dear Subbie, youcan email subbie@bctf.ca 

In terms of time, yes, legally, your employer *must* provide you with maternity leave, and for TTOC's ittruly would be an unpaid maternity leave. Teachers on continuing contracts get some top-up from theirdistrict on top of maternity benefits from the Employment Insurance of Canada. TTOC's can takematernity leave, but you wouldn't get topped up, so your income would be from EI benefits only.

Yes, you would still get a pension. If you look closely at your paycheck you'll see pension contributions:you contribute to your pension, and your employer makes contributions on each cheque as well. All ofthat builds up over time, and you draw on it when you retire. The amount you can take as a retirementpension depends on how many years you've been teaching. Max pension would be at 35 years of fulltime teaching, but the actual amount of what you maxed out at depends on where you are on the payscale, too.

Yes, TTOC'ing for a long time will have a negative impact on yourpension. Will it be a huge impact? Not necessarily. It depends if you're teaching 30% or 50% or 99% ofeligible days in the school year. Ultimately, each person's case is unique, and you would need to log intothe pension website to fully explore the effects of taking years off to raise children or the impact ofTTOC;ing long-term. Pension seminars are also announced regularly, and we encourage you to attend.It's important info that might take you a few seminars to understand, but it's worth going!

Check out BCTF's latest publication for TTOCs

Please, consider participating in our online survey:

WHAT IS THIS STUDY ABOUT?

The purpose of our pan-Canadian research project is to explore the

differential impact of teacher induction and mentorship programs on the

early-career teachers’ retention across the provinces and territories.

You will be asked to provide your perspectives and insights about your early

career experiences with teaching, induction and mentoring programs,

professional learning opportunities, and career development.

The survey will take about 15 – 20 minutes to complete.

There are no known physical, psychological, economic, or social risks

associated with this study.

This study has been granted clearance by the General Research Ethics Board

according to Canadian research ethics principles, as well as policies and

procedures of Queen's University and University of Saskatchewan.

Upon completion of the survey, you can enter your name into

a draw for an iPad Mini 3.

http://queensu.fluidsurveys.com/s/teacher-induction-survey/

To learn more about the research project,

please contact:

Dr. Benjamin Kutsyuruba

Queen’s University

ben.kutsyuruba@queensu.ca

613-533-3049

www.earlycareerteachers.com

ENTER TO WIN iPAD Mini 3

Are you a new teacher?

If you are a new teacher within the first 5 years of

employment in a publicly funded school in Canada, we

invite you to participate in our pan-Canadian study of

teacher induction and mentoring programs.

Dr. Keith Walker

University of Saskatchewan

keith.walker@usask.ca

306-220-0614

or visit:

OPPORTUNITIES FOR BCTF MEMBERS

CURRENT BCTFOPPORTUNITIES

COMM I T T E E S

Most committees meet 3times a year on a Friday andSaturday at the BCTFBuilding. Travel expensesand per diems covered.More details on portal.

Check out the BCTF Portal for posting under Members' Opportunities. You can

apply to be on a committee or to be a facilitator for BCTF workshops!

F A C I L I T A T OR S

Facilitators are required toattend Facilitator InstituteTraining (FIT) in Kamloopsin August where you aretrained as a facilitator in afew BCTF workshops.Travel expenses and perdiems covered. Workshoprequests come throughoutthe school year. Moredetails on portal.

BCTF Members can apply for theseopportunities on the

BCTF Portal

Facilitator Openings:

School Union Rep Training (SURT) facilitator

Professional and Social Issues facilitator

Program for Quality Teaching facilitator

Parent presentation facilitator

Health and Safety facilitator

French program facilitators

 Women in Negotiations

Committee Openings:

Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee 

Adult Education Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee on French Programs and Services 

Comité consultatif des programmes et services en français

Committee for Action on Social Justice 

Finance Committee

G.A. Fergusson Memorial Award Trustees 

Health and Safety Advisory Committee 

Income Security Committee 

Internal Mediation Service 

Pensions Committee 

Professional Issues Advisory Committee 

Teacher Magazine Advisory Board

Teachers Teaching On Call Advisory Committee

W.R. Long International Solidarity Fund 

Working & Learning Conditions/Bargaining Advisory Committee    

    

Sailing CoursesThe West Vancouver Yacht Club offersIntroductory Dinghy Sailing Classes toschools for Grades 2 through 12. The goalof the program is to promote safe boatingwhile exposing as many kids as possible toa recreational water­sport like sailing.Sailing is the perfect medium to learn aboutsafe boating, and, of course, an excitingand memorable way to begin or end theschool year. Classes of up to 30 studentscan enroll in courses tailored for yourneeds, with special attention paid to the ageof the students and time available forlearning. All classes are taught byCanadian Yachting Association certifiedinstructors who are trained to make sailingboth fun and safe. The boats used for . Allequipment including PFD's (life jackets) isincluded. Courses are offered from Maythrough June and September throughOctober. A minimum of 15 students arerequired for each class.

Field Trips & Educational Activities!

2016 Vancouver International Children'sFestival at Granville IslandMay 30 ­ Sunday June 5A world­renowned weeklong festival ofperforming and visual arts for youngaudiences. The Vancouver InternationalChildren's Festival has been educating,entertaining and inspiring educators,students and families since 1978. Come fora show and stay for the day! Show TicketPrice includes Site Activities! Early BirdPrices (valid until April) One show $11 +GST; Two shows (same day) $20 + GSTOne free ticket for each 20 tickets ordered

Marine Science at Horne LakeCaves Provincial Park andOutdoor CentreEducate by the seashore, play withthe touch tanks, peer into theaquariums, and have lots of fun ona field day trip at the Deep BayMarine Field Station. Outstandinghands‐on lab programs incorporatea series of engaging and age­appropriate activities that aim toinspire curiosity, and increaseunderstanding of our oceans.Classes are taught in the facility’sseawater teaching lab bypassionate science educators andvolunteers. activities begin with aguided tour of the Deep BayMarine Station facility andaquariums. Many programs areavailable year‐round but somebeach and research vesselactivities are subject to weatherconditions and tides. Programs aredesigned to meet BC curriculumlearning outcomes and can becustomized to meet the goals andinterests of each group.

Do you know of a great BC field trip?Maybe you have a story to share about your class field trip experience?

Send it to us at psac77@bctf.ca

Did you get the April Pro‐D Bulletin?  Forward us info about what's

happening in your district so we can share it far and wide! psac77@bctf.ca

Looking for a field trip in your area?Check out: http://www.bcfieldtrips.ca/

ISSUE 4 HEALTH & SAFETY

REPORTING ILLNESS OR INJURYCompiled by Wendy Fontaine from the BCTF Health & Safety Handbook

All accidents, injuries, occupational illness, and near misses must be reported to the employer.

Reporting to the supervisor may include reporting to the supervisor, or to first aid.

Reporting is to be done as soon as possible. Initial reporting of an incident may be

done orally or via email. It is always advisable to copy your local on emails when

reporting in this manner.

The Workers Compensation Board form 6A, is an approved and accepted form across the

province. This form is recommended and meets the criteria of both the WCB and the BCTF.

NOTE: A FORM 6A IS NOT A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. IT IS A REPORT TO THE

EMPLOYER OF AN INCIDENT, ACCIDENT, EXPOSURE OR OTHER UNSAFE CONDITION.

If a worker seeks medical aid, or is off work as a result of the incident, the worker should file a claim

with the Workers Compensation Board.

Claims can be filed through the WCB claim service of Teleclaim.

                                                    1­888­967­5377 (1­888­WORKERS)

Workers should not hesitate in seeking medical attention as required. This includes both physical

and emotional/mental health claims. When reporting to a medical practitioner, you must inform the

practitioner that it is as a result of the workplace.

All reported incidents and near miss scenarios must be reported, and must be investigated. The

investigation is not to find fault, but to find facts and to recommend corrective actions to the

employer to prevent further incidents

ISSUE 4 HEALTH & SAFETY

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

 Workplace violence is defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations as the attempted or

actual exercise by a person, other than a worker, of any physical force so as to cause injury to a

worker, and includes any threatening statement or behaviour which gives a worker reasonable cause to

believe that he or she is at risk of injury.

Workers have a right to know if there is a risk of violence. Employers must assess the risks of violence

whenever there is a possibility of violence at a job site.

4.28 Risk assessment (1) A risk assessment must be performed in any workplace in which a risk of

injury to workers from violence arising out of their employment may be present. If a risk of violence is

determined, the employer must have a plan for informing workers, and minimizing or eliminating risks to

workers.

4.30 Instruction of workers

(1) An employer must inform workers who may be exposed to the risk of violence of the nature and

extent of the risk.

(2) The duty to inform workers in subsection (1) includes a duty to provide information related to the risk

of violence from persons who have a history of violent behaviour and whom workers are likely to

encounter in the course of their work.

(3) The employer must instruct workers who may be exposed to the risk of violence in

     (a) the means for recognition of the potential for violence,

     (b) the procedures, policies and work environment arrangements which have been developed to      

       minimize or effectively control the risk to workers from violence,

     (c) the appropriate response to incidents of violence, including how to obtain assistance, and

     (d) procedures for reporting, investigating and documenting incidents of violence.

You can see the Health & Safety Handbook here:https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/HealthSafety/Resources/HealthAndSafetyHandbook.pdf

The BCTF offers anumber of Health &

Safety workshops yourlocal union office

can book!

Compiled by Wendy Fontaine from the BCTF Health & Safety Handbook

BCTF AGM 2016The BCTF celebrated its 100th Annual GeneralMeeting March 12-15, 2016 in Vancouver

B I G N E W S . . . .

CONTINUED ON NECT

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C O N T I N U E D

Keep reading...

BCECTA President, Amanda

Long and Vice­President, Nicole

Jarvis attending the TTOC

breakfast during the AGM

The BCTF Annual General Meeting is a four daymeeting of teacher delegates from across B.C. whoelect your BCTF Executive Committee, set the annualfee, and discuss and vote on a number of motions. Thisyear was the 100th Annual General Meeting whichfeatured several special moments to celebrate lookingback on a century of the B.C. Teachers' Federation.

In addition to the long meetings each day, there areseveral early morning breakfast meetings, lunchmeetings and evening sessions such as the TTOCBreakfast, Women in Negotiations lunch, Social Justicedinner and many more.

Your BCECTA Executive Committee was there andmany got up to speak on issues that relate to education,in particular, TTOC and early career teachers.

The BCTF Annual General Meeting (AGM)

By Alexandra Adhikary, BCECTA, Member-at-Large

This year I was a first time delegate at the 100th BCTF AGM.

I have been attending for years along with my mom but

there is something really special about attending as an

actual delegate. It was great and inspiring to see so many

new delegates and first time speakers at the microphone! I

had an amazing time connecting with colleagues and

meeting tons of new people from all over the province. I

have so many great memories from the couple of days but

my biggest highlight was taking a selfie with Jim Iker

himself!! He is such a wonderful guy and being able to tell

him how he has inspired me was great! My time spent at

the AGM was an incredible experience and I am looking

forward to hopefully attending again next year!

First Time delegate takes on the 100th BCTF AGM

Who attends the BCTF AGM?

Attendees to the BCTF AGM are elected by

their locals, as per By­law 2 (page 12

—Members’ Guide to the BCTF).

In addition, the BCTF Executive Committee

and elected Local Representatives attend

the meeting.

How many people attend the BCTF AGM?

Approximately 750 to 800 people are in

attendance at the BCTF AGM.

This includes delegates and BCTF staff

members.

You could attend the BCTF AGMas a local delegate. Contact yourlocal union office to ask how!

BCTF AGM 2016BCECTA Executive attended the Annual General Meeting and had a great time...

I am always excited to be a delegate for my local and attend the BCTF

AGM. I have attended 3 AGMs and the 100th had that extra touch of

special; I am glad to say I was there. The highlight for me is knowing

that I am being an active part of the process; helping shape the future of

our profession, learning from my colleagues, learning the history of our

union, and standing up for what I believe in. As well, there is also the

ability to connect with and grow with other early career teachers across

our province.  For all early career teachers who have not yet attended

an AGM, I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to try

something new and be a part of something amazing.

Aimee Blow

Nanaimo, B.C

BCECTA

Member­at­Large

I was thrilled to go to the BCTF AGM on behalf of my local. I think it is

important young teachers or teachers new in their career speak up for their

rights and their students. There were many highlights for me: First was

being able to stand at the microphone with 700+ teachers from around the

province and say ”First time delegate, first time speaker” then speak about

the rights of TTOC’s. I was very busy attending extra caucus meetings for

TTOC’s, aboriginal rights and BCECTA EC meetings. It was powerful to

hear from the voices of both young and retired teachers and be a part of

the democratic process of voting our new EC. Most importantly, I

continued to make new friends and connections from around the province.

Jen McDonaldVictoria, B.CBCECTA

Member­at­Large

Amanda RobertsCoquitlam, B.C

BCECTATreasurer

What an exciting year to be at the BCTF AGM!  As with other years, I

enjoyed the AGM as a time to connect with colleagues and do union

business.  But this year was an incredible time to share in a celebration,

look back over 100 years, and see that while many issues have been

overcome, many continue in education/union activism.  There were

countless highlights, amongst which was first­year teacher and delegate,

Mahima Lamba, speaking to the AGM with passion and a vision for the

future of teacher activism.  I was empowered seeing such strength in the

newest generation of teacher activists. Until next year… 

BCTF AGM 2016

For me, going to the BCTF AGM was a bit like walking into a new school as a TTOC: most people seemed to know all the

ins and outs of the process, while here I was, a 9 year veteran of teaching, but an AGM newbie, walking in (nearly) blind to

the particulars of the locale. I had accepted a nomination to the AGM just moments after being voted in as my district’s

social justice chair in November, with the intention of taking the time to prep for it before March came along; however, it

snuck up on me, as these things do, and so I took a leap of faith and jumped right in.

My delegation was quite large ­ 18 colleagues came from my district ­ including Jen, BCECTA’s fabulous Member­at­Large ­

and we had a couple of meetings ahead of time to talk about process and to get to know each other. I was grateful to have

this network of people to debate with and ask questions of, in addition to the wonderful people I had already met through my

involvement in PSAs, facilitating workshops, and the Committee for Action on Social Justice. Everyone seemed to

remember their first time there, and were more than happy to help when I had questions.

Katherine O'Connor

Victoria, B.C

BCECTA

Conference Chair

Colin Bailey

Alberni, B.C.

BCECTA Member at

Large

This is my third BCTF Annual General Meeting I've attended, and the one of the three

that saw the most interest from potential participants in my local.  I'm from a small local

attached to an even small sub­local so a getting one of five delegate spots is quite an

accomplishment and I'm very grateful to my peers for giving me the opportunity to serve

Alberni once again.

Even when it's not a "big event" such as the 100th AGM was, a BCTF AGM is still an

excellent way for members to connect and re­connect with each other in a professional

and social setting. There were many highlights of the AGM for me, but the first I feel I

must share was the acceptance speech made by Murray Corren upon receiving a

Lifetime Membership with the Federation.  The subtle power of  his words as he

recounted his work over the years working against obstacles faced by LGBTQ2S in the

school system was quietly earth shattering.  

 

The days of the AGM were extremely long; however, the discussions at the mic and at my

table were generally very interesting, and I was relieved that the tone was one of hope,

respect, and solidarity. I was nervous about going up to speak at the mic, but, with some

encouragement and a few bursts of courage, I did get up there 3 times over the course of

the AGM; I love that, on your first time at the mic, the entire group cheers for you. It’s quite

the feeling to have 700 teachers loudly celebrating you simply for putting yourself out there!

Overall, I had a really positive experience at the AGM. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it, and I

went in with the idea that it was good for everyone to experience it at least once in their

career, and this may be my one time. I left with a wonderful feeling, a few closer friends,

and a determination to remain involved at the provincial level.

The other highlight I wish to share was the opportunity to briefly meet up with former BCTF president Ray Worley, who

was a colleague of my father in Vernon and remembered much about him and the family homestead well. There were two

very different types of personal connections, but both very authentic and impossible to replicate in any other way.

BCTF AGM 2016

Nicole JarvisDelta, B.CBCECTA

Vice­President

Amanda Long, Coquitlam, B.C., 

BCECTA, President

This year I attended the 100th BCTF AGM. I have attended multiple AGMs in

the past, but this one was really notable as we came together with colleagues

to reminisce on a century of unionism. I really appreciated looking back at the

early years of the BCTF and what our union has accomplished together. What

is always memorable for me at the AGM is seeing first time delegates up at the

mic speaking passionately about issues they care about. As chair of the BCTF

TTOC Advisory Committee and President of BCECTA, I was especially proud

to see so many new teachers and TTOC line up for a chance to weigh in on

important issues. Of course, the discussions and networking is always

welcomed and I value the time and space the AGM provides to connect with

colleagues from across B.C. I attended the TTOC breakfast and the Women in

Negotiations lunch as well as our BCECTA executive lunch meeting. They are

long days, but well worth the experience! If you have never attended the AGM,

I strongly encourage you to do so at least once in your career.

This year's AGM was really interesting because we were reflecting on one hundred yearsof the BC Teachers' Federation.  Our organization is incredibly complex and the scope ofour work as a union is incredible, especially considering that we as the membership arecrucial for our union's ability to achieve progress. One memorable moment comes to mindthanks to Barb Parrot; an incredibly funny woman who taught primary school and hascontinued in retirement as a volunteer chair who runs the Annual General Meetings fromthe front stage. On the very first day of the AGM Barb was dressed up in suffragist­eracostume, speaking from a microphone on the floor in a period role­play to kick off the fourdays. We were laughing so hard and it just felt really good to laugh together, as 700+teachers in a room, from every far­reaching corner of British Columbia. We are different,and sometimes we don't agree, but the debate at the BCTF AGM is incredibly important,and we come out of it all stronger, together. There was a history trivia quiz with prizes (Iwon a BCTF USB key!) and a great slideshow video showing 100 years of BCTF history;newsclippings, quotes, audio clips, radio commercials, letters to the editor, curriculumheadlines, and photos of some familiar activist in their younger years. I especiallyappreciated the AGM issue of Teacher Newsmag for the articles which explained some ofthe issues we have faced in the past. I'm 28 years old, and I've learned a lot from all of thisover the past four years, but every issue of Teacher newsmagazine teaches me a little bitmore. The AGM is an exhausting four days, but it's amazing, and rewarding. I am SOproud of all of the new / young / teaching­on­call Teachers who have gotten curious,attended union meetings, and taken up the sword to represent our demographic at these 

AGMs. You guys are awesome, and our voices matter! I want to thank the Delta Teachers' Association for being my home for the pastfour years... you were the first 'union folk' I ever met, and if wasn't for your warm, supportive, welcoming hearts I would have been avery lonely TTOC. Becoming TTOC Representative in the Surrey Teachers' Association is incredibly exciting, but I will miss the good­natured jokes from some very witty Delta Teacher­delegates! Lastly, to the small handful of BCTF staff whom we all lean on ­ clericalstaff, graphics department, communications team, and assistants ­ the unsung heros of these AGMs ­ thank you for such an incredible100th Annual General Meeting. To all of you reading, I hope you will come to an AGM very soon to watch in the viewing gallery, speakat the microphone, or vote as a delegate on behalf of teachers from your local. 

More BCTF AGM 2016

Above:

Of course BCECTA made time

for fun as well! Your executive

had a lunch meeting together

on day two of the AGM and

on the last evening had some

fun with photo booth props.

We are all so happy to be part

of a group that gets along so

well and is very passionate

about Early Career Teachers!

Top Left to Right: James Sanyshyn, Mike Ball, Rae Figursky, Teri Mooring

(1st VP), Norm Sabourin, Carole Gordon.

Bottom Left to Right: Glen Hansman (President), Robin Tosczak, Kip

Wood, Clint Johnston (2nd VP) and Jim Iker (Past President)

One of the key elements of the BCTF AGM is the election of our

BCTF Executive Committee. Pictured above is our new EC

(Executive Committee) for 2016/2017.

Extra special this year was the 100th AGM celebration which looked

back on a century of activism and education. There was an

incredible look at the past century and special guests, including past

presidents, in attendance for the celebration.

Murray Corren presented an

Honourary Life Membership Award

from Jim Iker

Celebrating 100 years the BCTF had

a number of invited guests join in for

the celebration.

BCTF AGM 2016 Key Decisions

The BCTF logo from the

1920s

There is a lot of business dealt with at the AGMand this year was no different. Here are only a fewof the key decisions the meeting made:

­to conduct a survey of the working and learningconditions of full­day Kindergarten teachers­to advocate for resources to support the earlyidentification and designation of students withspecial needs and for appropriate fundingallocation­to demand the Ministry of health immediately testthe drinking water in North Coast schools anddevelop a regular water monitoring program ­to investigate the possibility for TTOCs to opt intoSIP (Salary Indemnity Plan)­to join the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF)­to create a task force to examine working andlearning conditions of summer school teachers­to approve proposed changes to the teachers'pension plan 

The BCTF portal provides minutes from the AnnualGeneral Meeting and key decisions on themembers' portal. 

Remember you can attend the BCTF AGM byrunning in your local to become a delegate.Meetings usually happen in the December orJanuary before the March event. Ask your localpresident or officer for details.

BCTF NEWTEACHERS'

CONFERENCEThe BCTF New Teachers' Conference was held in Richmond, B.C.

February 26-27, 2016. Your BCECTA Executive was there and met

many new teachers, student teachers and TTOC at the conference.

We were thrilled to meet so many members and have new members join

our PSA. Those who signed up got an amazing BCECTA green book bag

and were entered into a prize draw for awesome resources!

There were a variety of amazing workshops offered as well as round

table discussions.

The BCTF New Teacher Conference is usually held at the end of

February each year. You should ask your local president or Professional

Development Chairperson if there is any funding available for you to

attend.

BCTF NEW TEACHERS' CONFERENCE

Workshop Review:

Drama in Humanities...

BCECTA NEWSLETTER  |   26

BCTF NEW TEACHERS' CONFERENCE

BCECTA Secretary,

Laura Seer, shares

her exploration of the

new curriculum at

BCTF New Teacher

Conference.

ESCAPEROOMCHALLENGE

After our BCECTA Executive Committee Meeting in

February, a few of us decided to try an escape room.

It requires good communication, critical thinking, co-

operation, problem solving and team work.

Aimee, Alex, Jen, Amanda R., and myself took on

one of the rooms and successfully escaped just in

time! It was tough, but we worked well together and

did it!

I have done a number of escape rooms and love the

challenge! I am always asking friends, family and

colleagues to join me in the adventure.

This year I am working in gifted education at a

middle school and my group will be attending an

escape room together then designing their own for

classmates at our school. They are so excited!

If you haven't tried one of these rooms, I highly

recommend giving one a try. You'll be hooked!

BCECTA NEWSLETTER   |    ISSUE 4   |   28

The website registration has a

student-teacher rate of only $50!

 BCECTA.CA   |   29

Plan ahead for PSA day 2016

On October 21st, 2016, over thirty provincial specialist associations will

be holding teaching conferences around B.C.

O C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 I S P S A D A Y

CONTINUED ON NECT

PAGE

C O N T I N U E D

The 2016 BCECTA & CUEBC PSA Day Conference will be held atRiverside Secondary in Port Coquitlam.

This year’s theme will focus on: Technology & The New Curriculum

Call for presenters....If you would like to present, or have a suggestedpresenter, please contact us at psac77@bctf.ca 

UNCONFERENCES

#EdCamp35

Check out IGNITE35 anotherawesome 'unconference'

http://www.ignite35.com/Join some of our BCECTA executive at

this upcoming event!

 Have you taken advantage of your BCTF membership lately?  Take a moment and see what is available to

you! Save with hundreds of discounts available 24/7 on your smart phone.

The Union Advantage

Download our free savings App, "Endless Save," available on iTunes &

Google Play, or by visiting http://www.ESMobileApp.com. When you

first download the app, you will be asked for the BCTF “organization

code”, which is simply bctf.

The savings program includes

Insurance

Personal Finance

Cars

Travel

Marketplace partners

Health & Wellness partners

Compiled from www.bctf.ca

New Merchants and New Locations:

Tip Top Tailors, Mr. Big & Tall, Jones New York &George Richards Big & Tall Menswear- save 10% ofyour entire purchase (includes sale items) at all 78Western Canadian locations.

Gold's Gym– Recently added with various discountoffers at their UBC, Langley and Port Coquitlamlocations.

Carl’s Jr. – Adding new locations in Surrey, Red Deerand Lloydminster with 15% off your entire order.

Tap the ESM App on your smart phone for more detailsand location nearest you.

This issue's contributors

"Hi everyone! I've been teaching since 1999, I have aBachelor of Arts and a Masters in Ed Leadership, withtwo Montessori Diplomas.  When I'm not teaching I loveperforming in musical theatre, writing, and logic puzzles.  I live with my two cats Duke and Daisy.  I'm a LocalRep for Coquitlam and have been active in the union

since 2005. "­ Sandra Cowan, 3/4/5 Teacher,Coquitlam SD 43  "BC Teacher #AppReviews ­ P. 9

Dear BCECTA members, my name is Wendy Fontaineand I am presently a TTOC in Peace River South.  Ihave been a BCTF Health and Safety Facilitator for sixyears and part of the Health and Safety AdvisoryCommittee for six years.  I taught for 20 years, finishingmy career in the Special Ed field.

"Health and Safety for TTOCs" ­  P. 16 & 17

Have an idea for

the next issue?

Send to BCECTA!

psac77@bctf.ca

The content for this newsletter is generated by your BCECTA executivecommittee and guest contributors who support BCECTA.

Q&A

Dear BCECTA, I'm teaching a grade 6/7 class andim feeling conflicted about mothers/father's daygifts. A number of my students have no or negativerelationships with either. Any advice?-Feeling Torn in Cranbrook, BC

I don't do either. Any way you spin it,everyone knows it's for Mother's Day, andit can be extremely painful for some kidsso it's just not worth it. Just my personal

experience/opinion. 

I don't restrict it to mother

or father, yet woman or

man in your life that has

made an impact.

Maybe this would be a good opportunity todiscuss a difficult subject with them?

Maybe be honest with how conflicted youfeel and why and check in on how they're

feeling? Presents or no, some mayappreciate the opportunity to talk?

My husband is an upper intermediateteacher and does not do any Mother'sDay or Father's Day activities. I think bythat age they can figure something out ontheir won. As a primary teacher, for thefirst time in 23 years of teaching am

considering not doing anything either. Toomany other things to do. text

I think it's a great opportunity to talk about just

that. How every family is different. The whole

point of the days is to thank people for taking

care of you. Even if you don't have a mother or

father, there are people in life you want to thank

­mom, dad, 'gramma,' 'grampa,' aunt, uncle,

coach, big sister or brother etc. It's about the

feeling. Not the person. Might as well help kids

feel okay talking about differences and learn

how to show appreciation for others. Just my

thoughts anyway smile emoticon. Plus it helps

kids see that you don't have to buy something

to show them you care. Making something is

even more special, personal and meaningful.

My class makes gifts, but they can be foranyone. And some students make 2, formom & stepmom or mom & grandma. Wehave a very open, honest conversationabout what makes a family, and this isgrade 2/3, so you would get even moreprofound conversation in grade 6/7. It's agood opportunity to hear the thoughts &feelings of your students. smile emoticon

Goals of the BCTF1. To help ensure that public schools provide for the continued intellectual, physical, social,and emotional growth and development of each individual.

2. To promote the establishment and continued development in every school of sound learningand teaching conditions, including the provision of adequate support services.

3. To work toward the integration of social and educational services that contribute to thewelfare and development of students.

4. To encourage full public participation in determining the overall objectives of education atthe provincial, district, and school level.

5. To create public awareness of problems in society that hinder student growth anddevelopment and to stimulate the search for solutions.

6. To strive to eliminate from the school system discrimination on the basis of sex, race,religion, age, handicaps, economic status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity,number of dependents, or pregnancy.

7. To promote professional growth of teachers through the continuous development of preservice,internship, and in­service education.

8. To establish a code of ethics and professional conduct, criteria of qualification, and criteriaand procedures for the assessment of professional competence, and to ensure that teachersare effectively subject to the judgment of their peers in these matters, with guarantee of dueprocess.

9. To ensure, through the development of democratic processes, professional autonomy forteachers and protection from capricious or malicious action, unjust regulations, and theabuse of authority.

10. To maintain for teachers a level of status and economic standing appropriate to theresponsibility of the profession.

11. To work co­operatively with other groups and agencies to transform the public schools tomake them more relevant and effective in preparing students for their futures.

12. To promote a working and learning environment in the public schools of British Columbiathat is free from violence.

13. To support the right of all students, regardless of age, to free basic education as defined bythe current K–12 programs.

14. To promote the well­being of members through working conditions that nurture ongoinghealth and vitality.

http://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/public/AboutUs/MembersGUide/guide.pdf

35   |    BCECTA NEWSLETTER  |  ISSUE 4        

Write to us! (Seriously!)

The BC Early Career Teachers' Association

We believe that teaching doesn’t happen in a bubble and that our best resources are eachother. Please consider writing an article for publication in future newsletters!

Do you have a favourite activity? Something that’s worked well for you as a TTOC? Examplesof lesson plans or projects?

Have you picked up any tips and tricks over the years that you’d be willing to share?What about advice you’ve received or that you could share with those starting out?

Maybe write about an app that you’ve tried or a book you’ve read.

For each edition we publish, we’ll conduct a prize draw from the articles submitted.You could be the lucky recipient of a prize pack, resources or a gift card!

We’re also happy to hear feedback so please don’t hesitate to contact us. Let us know whatyou liked, what you didn’t, or what you’d like to see more of in the next edition of thenewsletter. We’d love to keep running an “Ask/Answer” feature, so if you’re a new teacher orTTOC with a question, please send it to us and we’ll do our best to answer, find moreinformation, or put you in contact with resources.

PAGE 23BCECTA NEWSLETTER, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 PAGE 36

Is YOURProfessional

SpecialistAssociation!

BCECTA

BCECTA NEWSLETTER GUIDELINES & NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS

The BCECTA Newsletter is the official publication of the British Columbia Early Career Teachers’ Association, provincialspecialist association #77 of the B.C. Teachers’ Federation. At least three issues are published each calendar year.

Articles submitted for publication should be sent via email to psac77@bctf.ca

Sumbissions must include:

• The author’s full name and contact information.• A short description of the author and their current situation (training background, teaching experience).• A brief disclaimer allowing the editor editing and publishing rights.• A photograph of the author, if available.• A photograph or high resolution graphic to accompany the article. These images must be attached to the email inseparate files. Please ensure they are in .jpeg or .png formats compatible with AdobeInDesign.

Length of articles usually varies from 300 to 1,000 words. Articles longer than 1,000 words may be shortened forpublication. Please do not submit items from copyright publications if you have not included permission to publish them.The editor reserves the right to alter the text in any way necessary to conform to the objectives and mandates of theBCECTA.

Call for Executive Members!

Curious about your union?

Canadian and American teachers stand insolidarity with Mexican colleagues

Members of a coalition comprising teachers’organizations from Canada, the United States, andMexico spoke with one voice Sunday, denouncingthe government of Mexico for atrocious rightsviolations against teachers.

A strongly worded resolution was passed unanimously

at the concluding plenary of the 12th biennial

conference of the Tri­national Coalition in Defense of

Public Education, held at UBC May 12–15, 2016. In it,

delegates called on the government of President

Enrique Peña Nieto to own up to the role of the state

and police in the 2014 disappearances of 43

indigenous student teachers from the state of

Guerrero.

The call comes just two weeks after release of a

scathing report by a panel of forensic experts from the

Inter­American Commission on Human Rights, who

said that the Mexican government stonewalled their

investigation into the students’ apparent massacre, in

effect granting impunity to those responsible.

The conference brought together teacher unionists

from across the three countries, including BCTF

President Jim Iker, Canadian Teachers’ Federation

President Heather Smith, as well as leaders of

provincial teacher unions in Ontario, Quebec, and

Newfoundland. Iker said that the Canadian unionists

shared a sense of admiration for their Mexican

counterparts, who must sacrifice so much and take

such serious personal risks in their work.

“As tourists, many of us enjoy the beauty of Mexico

and the warmth of its people, but we don’t see the

terrible poverty and injustice there,” Iker said. “But

through our work with the Tri­national Coalition over

more than 20 years, we’ve learned how teachers

across Mexico face repression just because they

speak up for their labour rights and the rights of their

students to a good education.”

Conference delegates also expressed support for the

tens of thousands of Mexican teachers who are taking

strike action beginning today. May 15 is Teachers’

Day in Mexico.

The strike has been launched in an effort to convince the

government to repeal a sweeping series of constitutional

changes and education reforms that are devastating

public education.

Striking teachers from Mexico City, Guerrero, Oaxaca,

Veracruz, Chiapas, and other states who are members of

the teachers’ union, CNTE, are demanding:

        ­ freedom for political prisoners jailed for defending    

          public education.

        ­ an end to the repression of indigenous teachers.

        ­ reinstatement of 360 teachers recently fired for        

          protesting government reforms.

        ­ an end to the criminalization of teachers’ opposition

          to the reforms.

­      ­ cessation of attacks on labour rights.

The Tri­national Coalition also urged the Mexican

government to respect the knowledge and professional

expertise of its teachers and end the privatization of public

education.

Nancy KnickerbockerDirector, Communications and CampaignsBC Teachers' FederationOffice: 604­871­1872

Mobile: 604­340­1992

www.bctf.ca

www.facebook.com/BCTeachersFederation

@NancyKnicker

Watch for BCTF emails inviting you toparticipate in events like these!

There's Isaac!BC Early Career Teachers in

action!

CONFERENCE 2016“TECHNOLOGY AND THE NEW CURRICULUM.”

RIVERSIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL, 2215 REEVE ST,PORT COQUITLAM, V3C 6K8

OCTOBER 21 - REGISTRATION OPEN SOON!

www.bcecta.ca | @bcecta | psac77@bctf.ca

Special rate for TTOCs

& student teachers!