An odd way to celebrate Teachers Appreciation Week according to Nova Scotia Teachers Union President Liette Doucet.
Doucet is referring to Premier Stephen McNeil’s decision to force a contract on teachers when the legislature convenes tonight.
During WTR, I never stopped teaching. As a matter of fact, I had more opportunity to teach with less interruptions! #underappreciated
— Amber Marquel Hiltz (@Amber_Hiltz) February 14, 2017
NSTU members have taken to twitter using the hashtag underappreciated to express how they feel they’ve been treated by government.
@StephenMcNeil When 9300 teachers tell you that our education system is broken, you should listen #underappreciated #NSTUnited
— AGillis (@Gillis_Whalen) February 14, 2017
Doucet says it shows how government doesn’t respect teachers.
“They’re frustrated that there have been no changes. They’re frustrated that they’re not being listened to. Their professionalism is not being appreciated and we really wanted to point that out.”
Doucet says the whole negotiating process has been a frustrating one for their members.
“It’s hard to bargain with a team that will not budge on anything. And the government, in general, is not putting into place things that would help immediately. For example, the attendance policy.”
Doucet says there are many changes that could be made to improve classrooms that would cost nothing or next to nothing.
But she says government is unwilling to listen.
Some treats for all the teachers who are feeling #underappreciated @NSTeachersUnion #nspoli #BetterEd pic.twitter.com/gaJqxpNN7C
— Peter Day (@peterfday6) February 14, 2017