Our schools don’t deserve a failing grade

Teachers in our public education system are successfully doing the essential work of building the next generation of citizens

The internet is full of videos by former teachers discussing why they have left education. Many are from the United States, but teachers from other countries, including Canada, are also complaining about student apathy and salaries that do not keep up with the cost of living.

I’ve been teaching since the 1980s, and I have no intention of leaving the profession any time soon. I love interacting with my students every day, and I have seen many positive changes in the field since I began more than 40 years ago. What follows is an anecdotal, though honest, assessment of our education system. While others may see a profession in decline, my experience has been very different.

My love for teaching comes from a profound belief that every child born is a gift to this world. Canadian children enjoy one of the best public education systems on the planet. I recognize the tremendous responsibility I am given as part of this institution.

When I began teaching, the curriculum I taught was largely a checklist of required topics. There are, of course, skills people need to function in the world, but children are, above all, sacred individuals who need a nurturing environment in which they can grow. Several changes have occurred during my career that have made our education system much better today than it was when I began teaching.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) education is simply about teaching students to accept people for who they are. Why does it matter if a student identifies as male, female or non-binary? We can all be kind and respectful toward one another. That is my experience of SOGI, and as a Christian, heterosexual male, I am very grateful.

Canada’s national reconciliation process has involved the integration of Indigenous principles of learning into our schools. The value of these principles is reflected in two books I read with my Grade 8 Indigenous Identity students (a five-week course that is required in my school), Go Show the World by Wab Kinew (before he became premier of Manitoba), and Be a Good Ancestor by Gabrielle Prince and Leona Prince. These are books not only about overcoming racism and adversity but about recognizing the responsibility each of us has in caring for ourselves, our neighbours and our world. As Kinew says, “We are people who matter. Yes, it’s true. Now let’s show the world what people who matter can do.”

A common complaint from teachers is that students today are disrespectful and unmotivated. I honestly haven’t seen much change since the 1980s. If anything, children are kinder to one another than they used to be, at least outwardly.

Are there areas where our education system needs to improve? Yes, absolutely. We have students who face tremendous adversity. For some, just showing up is a huge challenge. It would therefore be wise to diversify our programs to meet their needs. This is simply an investment in the future of our country.

The other area that needs to be examined is our overemphasis on only one language in the Anglophone school system. While English is useful in many fields, young Anglophone Canadians will be competing on a world stage with people who can think and communicate in several languages; we are thus putting them at a significant disadvantage. In addition, we need to recognize that many of our students already speak other languages in their homes; this needs to be fostered. We also need to get serious about learning our Indigenous languages.

Teaching is hard work, and I recognize the frustrations of other teachers. I’ve been very fortunate to have dealt with largely supportive parents. I’ve also been able to find good administrators, and I have a strong union. In addition, I do not have to deal with the tensions of life in the U.S.

I respect people who are leaving education to find more joy in other professions, and I think that is to be celebrated, but for myself, I am going to keep teaching. The reason is simple: despite its challenges, I believe our schools are helping young people become better citizens, and that remains work worth doing.

Gerry Chidiac specializes in languages and genocide studies and works with at-risk students. He received an award from the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre for excellence in teaching about the Holocaust.