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My Christmas gift list
Dear Santa,
I’m looking forward to your visit. My family has put up our Christmas tree and we’ve hung stockings by the fireplace. I’ll be sure to leave you one of my wife’s great sugar cookies and a big glass of milk. I’ve been good this year—I always got my editorial done on time (well, most of the time). This year, I’ve decided that I don’t need any new stuff, so I’m asking your help to fulfill the following list of gifts and wishes.
ATA President Mark Ramsankar:
Please bring him a clock. He’s been working hard this fall, travelling around Alberta meeting as many teachers as possible. He makes it home as often as possible to be with his family, but he could use some extra family time over the Christmas holiday.
ATA Teacher Welfare staff:
Please place pillows carefully under their Christmas trees—they’ve been labouring to get all 62 local collective agreements in place. They’ll have earned a good rest by the December 31st deadline for local negotiations.
Teachers and school board officials working on C2 Committees:
I want to thank them for the efforts related to teacher workload, but getting workloads reduced is still ongoing. Please leave gift baskets full of energy bars.
Newly elected Alberta School Boards’ Association (ASBA) President Helen Clease:
The ATA has had some difficulties with the ASBA over the last few years. My Christmas wish is that the ATA and the ASBA find ways to work together on improving and defending public education. That is why I’d like you to bring Clease a key, to represent our open door.
Premier Alison Redford:
The premier could use a stack of newspapers from 2011 and 2012. I worry that she has forgotten all the people who supported her in her leadership bid and in last year’s election. I hope she will remember them before the next election.
Finance Minister Doug Horner:
Please give the minister a rubber thimble for Christmas. He spends too much time focused on the Expenses page of the provincial budget. My wish is that he’ll turn the page and conclude that the province’s public services would be much improved and sustainable if the province solved the problem of fluctuating revenues.
Alberta Education Minister
Jeff Johnson:
The minister should be provided with a stepladder. Perhaps from atop the ladder he could gain a fresh perspective on the role of teachers and the ATA.
Teaching Excellence Task Force Chair Glenn Feltham:
With all the flash-in-the-pan ideas being presented to the task force, Feltham deserves two gifts. Please bring him a pair of sunglasses, so he can see past the shine put on the many bad proposals, and a pair of earplugs to block the sounds of people whispering in his ear. These gifts will help him focus on a good and fair analysis of the support and resources teachers need and deserve.
Alberta’s parents and students:
Orange slices are the perfect gift to recognize great teamwork. Alberta’s public education system is world-class because parents, students and teachers work together.
Teachers of Alberta:
Please bring them hot chocolate and warm slippers. What I want more than anything else for my colleagues is for them to enjoy a nice, relaxing holiday.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Jonathan
I welcome your comments—contact me at jonathan.teghtmeyer@ata.ab.ca.
