Balancing Act

Life gets busy. Life demands a lot. Things happen.

I haven’t posted in a while. Being an educator is a constant balancing act. Like a tight rope walker I have been trying to take careful steps to make it across the rope.  At times, it feels as if I am weighed down more on one side than the other. Attempting to make time for planning, documenting, family, friends, and learning has felt next to impossible.

I decided to put The Everyday ECE on pause. Like any educator I had a time where I needed to get everything back in balance. I am back on the rope and ready to keep walking.

I am currently working an afternoon position in the school board. My day ends at 6:15 and I get home around 6:40. After dinner, dishes, general house duties, and planning, it’s time for bed. I have been removing self-care to give myself more time. I have been working through my lunches more often. I have been spending more money on my after school programming. I have been going to bed later and waking up earlier. I have used my weekends to go to lectures and webinars.

Taking myself out of the equation gave me more time. However, it threw me more off-balance than I was before. I didn’t realize how far I had fallen. A few lunches lost here and there ; A night spent in instead of out. My life was my job and my job was my life. I love what I do but I forgot to love everything else to. It was easier to just focus solely on school. Balancing everything is hard but so much better.

Whether or not your classroom looks like Pinterest, you are still a great educator. Your lunch hours belong to you not the work you need to prep. Your class will still love you regardless of the activities you have out. Creating things is wonderful but creating time with your students is memorable. Find the balance. You can slip but try not to fall as hard as I did.

Zero

A zero is a double edged sword. To most a zero is nothing or represents the lack of something. However, without the zero we would not be able to create the numbers and representations we need every day. Education cannot climb the scale from 1 to 100; if there aren’t any zeros our classes are stuck at at the bottom. 1.

It has become apparent at this point and time that we are the 0. Mighty and necessary but often forgotten, overlooked, and undervalued. Considering the teacher’s union has had 20+ days to bargain and we have had 3, it is easy to see where we land on the scale. For those in the board the idea of facing another year without a contract, wage increases, or even permanent work is too much to bear. Spending another year in limbo is not an option. Spending another year with a contract that exploits our efforts is not an option.

It may seem like the plight of those facing a strike in the board does not impact those who are not in the thick of it. As a unit of educators with similar experiences and expectations when one of our groups is being undermined then we all are. If the group of educators in the school board continue to be frozen out and swept under the rug then soon that is the standard for everyone else.

At this very moment with underappreciated and underfunded educators on the brink of another year are preparing themselves for a new crop of children. Pouring their own funds, time and effort into the program that does not give them what they need in return. A system that is failing its educators should be failing its children but the educators in between are ensuring this does not happen. It’s up to the zeros to bring the system from 0 to 100.

If a strike does come this September and the support staff are out of the schools and in the streets then will class still go on. Without the support of the RECEs and EAs would our educational partners be able to “hold down the fort” for a few weeks. If educators are not important and if we really are replaceable and unnecessary then the idea of a strike should not grip our teachers and parents with such worry and fear.

Despite the work we put in it is clear that there is not much respect for us. The idea of moving RECEs to older classrooms (1-6) to offer support in place of EAs, to remain wage frozen (even though this is over far more than money), the lack of planning time, and the ever increasing amount of children in before and after school programs have led us to the battle we face.  We are more than what we are perceived to be. We are more capable and with more experience than a 1 or 2 year diploma could capture.

As a zero I know my class could not make it from 1 to 10. Without my mirror RECE we could not make it from 10 to 100. I know my teacher would not be able to accomplish our envisioned goals for the year if she was in fact just a 1. One on its own cannot make it to one hundred it needs a boost. Luckily, there are two RECEs in our class that work tirelessly in partnership with our one teacher to lift our class to 100.

Always remember the impact you have in your environment. That you as an educator are more than what you are paid or the indiscretions you suffer. We are the zero and we are more necessary than others know.

AN EVERYDAY EDUCATOR

A System of Support

I spend a lot of time writing about the plight of the Early Childhood Educator. One of the main rules of writing is “to write what you know”.  One aspect I have lacked on is the plight of the Educational Assistant.

Full disclosure, prior to this blog and my even my Early Childhood positions, I was (and still am) a special needs worker. I have worked with individuals on the Autism Spectrum, clients with brain injuries, in a group home, and many other places.  Each place I worked has had its challenges but I did my best every day.

No school, daycare, preschool, aftercare, nor before care has not served a child with special needs or will in the coming years. Considering the increase in our ability to identify a special need, get a team together, and create a plan one would think all would be ‘hunky dory’. The concept is wonderful on paper but in practice it fails not only the staff but the students is claims to serve.

I feel very strongly about this for both sides. Educational Assistants and Early Childhood Educators are trapped in a frustrating and ultimately dangerous loop. We cannot just throw out a ton of diagnoses and not provide the funding and staffing to match. If one increases then the other surely needs to.

I can attest to the situations we have dealt with this year in our classrooms and those of a few of my peers. For one situation there was a child that required constant assistance. Someone needed to be there to guide at all times. If not there would be serious behaviors that could (and often did) cause injury to staff or students. For a few months only one EA was present. This EA had to split her time among many students. For the children that required more assistance the duty fell to the educators until the gap was filled. This is a child that can be violent, sweet, caring, angry, a flight risk, and destroy a classroom in a matter of minutes. By the end of the year we had many burnt out educators, two extremely frustrated educational assistants, and one new emergency EA. It took almost a full year to get some support. There are a million and one stories just like this one.

I don’t think I can do it anymore. I am tired of not getting help when I need it.
– A very exhausted EA

This issue is even more pressing at this moment as the province is facing severe budget cuts and it is affecting the most vulnerable in our school sectors. The amounts are not small my friends and I can only see things getting worse in the coming year. There is an article from the Sun newspaper that outlines the cuts in the budget across Ontario.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/27/special-ed-funding-cuts-hurting-kids-across-the-province?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=recommend-button&utm_campaign=Special+ed+funding+cuts+hurting+kids+across+the+province

If you have had some interesting experiences as an RECE or EA this year regarding special needs, the support you have received, or any tidbits of advice please post them in the comment below! You can also email at anytime to theeverydayece@gmail.com

AN EVERYDAY EDUCATOR

So Long, Farewell, Auf wiedersehen

Our school year is drawing to an end. For some of us it means looking for employment for the summer (a wonderful new beginning) and for others it will mean saying goodbye to teams we have worked with for the past year or longer. To a few people working with a new team, in a new room, or even a new school, can be one of the most terrifying concepts. We are creatures of habit after all.

For those of us facing a new environment, where are you moving to? Is it a new classroom? A new teaching team? A new school? Or are you transitioning to a new job? Are you facing some changes this year? Up until about two weeks, the end of May, I was in the dark about what was to come.

If you are counting down your days and feel like a giant cloud is looming over your head then you have come to the right place. Take a seat, grab a drink and get comfy because we are going to get through this funk!

1. You love your team
You have worked hard to create a team sent down by the Gods themselves. Zeus christened your arranged teaching marriage himself! You and your team work together seamlessly. It is as if you have been working together for years. These magical relationships do exist. They may not come around often but they are a possibility.If you are being ripped from the loving arms of those you know and trust, then it is understandable that you are facing a total breakdown. So what do you do?

Revel my friends for the end is nigh. You will have to face the fact that your dream team will in fact be in ending. If you are spending your time too worried about the end of the month or what is to come then you will miss the time that you have left. I cannot attest to how personal some peoples teaching relationships are. Some work together well and others have developed real and genuine friendships that extend outside of work. Despite the depth the relationship does not end once the contract does.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
– Dr. Seuss

2. New Team
Some teams seem to have been handpicked by God while others feel like their team was constructed by Satan. If you were one of the unlucky few to be stuck in an unholy union then embrace the changes to come as what they are. You are probably getting a much deserved break. It has been a long. You may have been met with many challenges either with planning, your teacher, your team, or maybe even simply the children you received. Do not let the experience jade you. If you do then you may pass that on. It is fair to be upset about the hand you were dealt but don’t carry it with you.
The team you get next year will probably easier to work with. Can it get any worse? However, If you drag your feet around, have an attitude, or become dismissive then those you work with next year may begin to get an impression of you. It may not be positive so don’t break what hasn’t even begun yet!

Gon’ brush your shoulders off
Jay-Z

3. Changing your job
If you have been lucky enough to find a new job then CONGRATULATIONS. Be proud of yourself and the changes you are making. Yes, leaving behind a career or job you love can be trying but there is a reason you are doing it. Financial stability, stress, status, work load, or simply better hours can all be reasons to change. If you have made the decision to leave then those you work with should hopefully be supportive. If not then kiss the meanies goodbye and be thankful you are getting the heck out.

We have a problem. ‘Congratulations.’ But it’s a tough problem. ‘Then double congratulations.’
W. Clement Stone

I have only listed a few reasons for the changes you may be facing this year, be open to the changes that are coming. Be grateful you had an experience that could make you feel such loss. If it was a terrible team up then you should be jumping for joy right now! Don’t get cynical about the future be grateful your escaping the past. Do not get trapped in your feelings. Ensure that whatever changes come you are ready to face them and be all in!

If you have any comments about what changes your expecting add them below and find us on Faceboook!

AN EVERYDAY EDUCATOR

No matter where you are be all there all of the time. Do not let a bad experience hold you back!

#RealTalk

Hash tags rule our social media world. We constantly need to know what is trending with the rest of the world. We thrive on what is popular, who is post-op, and who holds the most prestige for that day. In this social world it is amazing how anti- social we have become. We attempt to ‘break the internet’ with images of nude celebrities and the speculation of who may switch their genders. I challenge us to #BreakTheInternet with #RealTalk.

Some may be wondering what constitutes ‘real talk’. It is a simple term that embodies when we all cut the bull^%#$ (there are four more letters but this isn’t that  kind of a blog). With the ability to send instant messages, emails, texts, or tweets it is as if we have become twits. The art of conversation is lost on us.

Anyone that has had a conversation with me know that I love to talk. I have also been blessed with the the gift of being excruciatingly blunt. This has bestowed me with the great ability to say it as it is. For some this method is too direct but for others it makes us a very productive team. We are able to be honest, open, and give real opinions rather than just compliments. There is so much more to be said for the person that is able to bring forth an intelligent, open, and honest opinion than those that only pay compliments. The fear of confrontation can be great for some. The fear of losing your voice in a sea of complacent peoples complements is not great enough.

By no means is this post saying that we must all remove our carefully crafted filters and unleash a torrent of blunt and rude responses. I implore you not to do this unless you want a visit to your HR department. Your responses can be constructive and real without being to direct or to sheepish. A lot more respect is earned by a person that can hold true to their convictions and ideals than those who are complacently please.  Do you feel that your workplace could benefit from some real talk?

AN EVERYDAY EDUCATOR

The Price of Production

Considering that tax time is drawing to a close and many individuals are in super saving mode it seems like the most apt time to bring up everyone’s least favorite subject! Money. We all need to realize that our finances aren’t some mythical beast we need to keep under wraps.

Money makes our world go ’round. I realize that many of us do not make enough to make even a drop in the ocean. This is the reality of it. There is no use hiding it. EAs and ECEs alike do not get paid enough for the level of work we are expected to produce. I will begin with EAs. Despite our differences in job description we are both lumped together; the bottom of the totem pole. For many EAs that I know and many that have sent emails to this blog, it is clear that there are issues. Too many children for one EA to handle, too many needs in one school (resulting in flitting around), not enough support during crisis. There are layers of issues that affect an EAs ability to do their job to the best of their abilities. In a perfect world the needs in a classroom would be assessed and then modifications would be made. The EA dealing with the issues would not be shuttled around throughout the day to different classrooms. How can a positive change occur in the children we serve if we aren’t able to be there to help? The safety of our classrooms and the future learning of so many is something I doubt we can put a price on.

Similar things can be said about ECEs. There are many responsibilities we take on and yet it is brushed aside. There is a lot of issue with planning/prep as well as contact time. I know in my classroom my ECE partner and I have more contact time with our class. The imbalance of duties, preps, non-contact time, and even time away for learning is immense. I realize the issues myself when I think about the amount of time, effort, and work I put into my own room. I don’t do much at home but I work like mad when I am at school. It would in fact be much simpler to not do half of what I do now. If I stuck with doing the amount of work I could feasibly get done while at work… Well there would be a lot less teaching and a lot more babysitting.

We are essential to our places of work. We make a difference each and everyday. It has been said that with ECEs we increase the value of the children we educate.  Through our tutelage, expertise, and  modifications, as both ECEs and EAs, we  augment the educational system in such a way that success is in the grasp of all of our students. Is this something we can really put a price on?

 

AN EVERYDAY EDUCATOR

Strike Out

There are strikes looming over all of us at this moment. We are hearing about them from each side! This is the moment of truth. The collective agreements have long since expired and our bargaining teams have been back and forth acting more like Yo-Yo’s than people. Are they simply stringing us along? I understand that for those that work in places without unions, this may not be extremely important for you at this time. Think though how this could impact your job and status right now! A fight for one of us is a fight for all of us.

I realize there are some teacher unions that are on strike and/or are heading towards a strike. There is no denying that the system is flawed. However, there are flaws in every system. No matter what job, what city, or what province there will be someone to find fault with something. There will also be someone to make the errors we find so vexing and troublesome.

There are now and will forever be issues within our system. What we do about it though is a different story. Get educated about what your collective agreements are. I know that for the longest time I left mine on the coffee table. Being involved and aware of our unions would be the next logical step. There are some amazing people that are doing some amazing things in our benefit. Fighting the good fight would probably be easier with a few more helping hands.

If a strike becomes an very real issue for your area then take a moment to see both sides. I often hear “I cannot afford to go on a strike!” Considering we make a mere pittance at the moment I completely agree. Thinking of all of the issues that have come up on my blog and those I have yet to write about, if a strike comes your way and there are serious issues in your job, can you really afford not to?

The Everyday Educator

If you have an opinion on this let me know. Add a comment or send an email : theeverydayece@gmail.com