Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president speaks about return to school

It’s the unofficial end of summer – the first day of school.

Samantha Becotte, the president of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday it’s normal for everyone, including teachers, to be a little nervous on the first day.

“Enjoy it. Enjoy the positives, seek new connections, and hopefully get into routine and find a little bit more comfort soon,” she said. “I know lots of teachers are just looking to greet students, start making those connections, getting to know their needs and how they might help them best over the years.”

Apart from the usual things that make people feel a little uneasy during the first day back, Becotte said this year, provincial collective bargaining for teachers is causing some uncertainty.

“More needs and fewer resources are something that I’ve been talking about over the course of the year,” she said.

A new collective bargaining agreement is yet to be struck.

Becotte said she reached out to Jeremy Cockrill, the province’s new education minister, but hasn’t heard back.

“We’re hoping to meet as soon as possible. I think teachers are an important voice in those conversations along with all of the other education partners,” she added. “Whether it’s school boards, parents or students, I think all voices need to be part of those conversations and positive collaboration only helps make better decisions, I think.”

Speaking about the provincial government’s new gender and naming policy, the union president said she hasn’t heard of any parents requesting these changes at all.

“I think that that’s a testament to the work the teachers do to support students,” she said. “Sometimes, that might mean kids are coming to them with information that might be sensitive, but teachers are working with students to try and support them to have the conversations with their parents at home.”

Becotte added teachers work really hard to bring parents into their child’s education, while saying she doesn’t know where the ministry is coming from with these changes.

“I had heard some outcry after an isolated incident had occurred, but I don’t know how many people were consulted prior to that change being made,” she said.

That incident occurred in June in Lumsden, where Planned Parenthood did a presentation on things like sexually transmitted infections (STI) and contraception. But some materials were left behind in the classroom, including a set of alphabet cards that explicitly described sexual acts and situations.