Christy Clark: The Single Biggest Enemy of Education in British Columbia’s History–Public AND Private Schools Will Greatly Suffer
War historians, as only they can, have ventured a rather fulsome, if not hubristic license–over centuries, on Napoleon’s retreat during the Russian Campaign of 1812.
Imagine the audacity–and an audacious move it is, to question one of history’s (mostly self-proclaimed) “great” leaders.
Or was he? The finest Frenchman in saddle and stirrups, took the same route in retreat from Russia as he did entering it. Forcing his men to forage off the land upon which they rested, Napoleon returned by the same road that delivered him, only to lose hundreds of thousands of men (almost 400,000) from sustained injury, starvation and disease.
Most modern students of this brief and easy glimpse on Napoleon’s apparently innate ability to know when to retreat, are told of his moxie and cunning. Rather than veering to the south, he traveled the road he knew best, and, the land his forces picked barren months earlier notwithstanding, this was salient tactical thinking, according to some; war is inequity, men will die. Soldier on, young man.
Or woman.
I thought about this over the weekend.
I thought about how wrong I always felt the analysis was. Who on earth would dare a valley of death without being forced to do so? Napoleon could no more retreat to the south, as other Russian troops would likely meet him and his men half way. He had no other option and was forced, frankly, by a bad plan that he himself hatched at the outset.
It was horrible tact and a failed strategy that landed him in the position of having to backtrack into a sure loss.
He was intelligent enough to know when to give ground, though, hamstrung by his original failure to facilitate a coherent battle plan.
He miscalculated the will of his enemy, too. Lavishly so.
Does this sound familiar?
I kept thinking over the last few days, of how our Premier is not strategizing dissimilarly in her battle against the teaching profession in this province. Christy Clark’s war on teachers must rank as highest in its destruction and callousness, of any initiative or policy pursued by a sitting premier. No one, ever, could have committed to the sheer lunacy she fostered a decade ago, while Minister of Education, only to return ten years later, this time as Premier, to finish off the single most important file a government has a responsibility for which to provide care and cover; resources and respect.
What about healthcare? Well, yes, that’s lovely. Fifty cents of every dollar we give government goes to healthcare, but it is hardly accidental that studies show a clear correlation between an education and better health.
If I were a teacher in Christy Clark’s British Columbia, I wouldn’t simply be angry; I would truly come unglued between fury and fear. For this woman, who has so little respect for education that she sees nothing to embellish her own academic credentials (once again, my charity is on display) will surely, I am convinced by the ample evidence thus far, thoroughly obliterate what you know as the school system today.
Her goal, is to liquidate public schools, in favour of semi-private or private institutions everywhere–but this will also ruin private schools, to be sure.
If you’ve anything to do with the public school system, aware you may be, not only of the devastating cuts and nonsensical funding approaches, but too, the virulent attack on teachers themselves.
No? Well, how would you feel to have taught thousands of children over TWENTY FIVE YEARS, many of whom return year after year, only to repeat their ‘thanks’, and discover that, for example, your seniority is gone–vanished; torn from you by the characteristic Clark method: No warning, eat the pain, thank you so much–empty smile and venomous fangs in tow.
Dracula, in heels and lipstick.
Where is it written that after tearing up agreements (which the courts have sought to be restored, thankfully), a government has the right to negotiate new ones in bad faith? Charles Jago belongs as a moderator-negotiator in this imbroglio as much as Kim Kardashian should be on faculty, teaching aeronautics at Harvard.
Dr. Jago’s hand in the chaos that had ensued since the manifest tyranny of Bill-22, should have disqualified him in an instant, but not in Christy Clark’s world. This is a cause for celebration: For, how many insiders and cronies can one woman assemble under one administration to foment the maximum amount of evil?
That teachers are so reviled in this province isn’t terribly shocking. Media tabloidism in reporting the union leadership’s dangerous apostasy of the inherent rights to a child’s learning and the militancy of many politically motivated BCTF members assures of this. The clammy and, bluntly, passe rhetorical bafflegab doesn’t help either.
However, should this give rise to a vigorous, if not enthusiastic, assault against teachers by this Premier? If families are truly first for her, the obligation she has in ending this dispute is foremost. And yet, following the insanity of the Jago hiring, Ms. Clark’s bombast and pomposity is only exceeded by her witless tact and disingenuous narrative.
Complicit in this, is her entire government–every single last one of her MLAs–that sit idly by, many of whom have plodded the halls of everywhere from the Ivy Leagues to local colleges. It need not matter, as an education–if as truly sacred as this government hypocritically claims it is for them–certainly against the backdrop of their own efforts to kill healthy learning in British Columbia, must be protected at any cost.
The better your education, the better your chances of an easier life. Better health, less crime–a greater chance at a peaceful and just society–if these notions under the BC Liberals aren’t already fleeting.
Although, all this appears to matter little, if at all, to a woman who is bound and determined to turn the public school system on its head.
Do problems exist? Of course, but would you counsel a Stage Four cancer patient to do nothing but simply pray for a more effective drug in the coming years? Does this make sense to anyone?
What will ensue is this: Having completely gutted and eventually shuttered public schools across British Columbia, smaller private schools will form (I know of three being planned on the westside of Vancouver alone) that will not only finish off the demand for a robust public education system (thus giving government the excuse to significantly turn off the funding taps), but as well, larger, more established, successful private schools, like St. George’s, Crofton House, York House, Little Flower, Southridge and the like, will become schools for ONLY the very, very elite. They will absolutely lose students to new schools, charging a fraction of the current hefty tuitions these institutions demand today–to say nothing of the faculty, who will leave in droves for similar pay and less drama–and no stigma. The smaller private schools might not deliver your sons or daughters to the hallowed halls of Yale or Stanford, but at a mere $10,000 per year–that’s approximately half of what St. George’s currently charges per annum, the savings are what will attract parents. Less stress at home, the better the environment conducive to learning.
Great doctors and scientists didn’t all go to elite schools–far from it. Therefore, if you’re a private school parent, who is not a vacuous gazillionaire (defined as those idiots who don’t mind fees of $50,000 per year/per child), and genuinely care about the future of your children, Ms. Clark is your enemy too–be quite sure of this. Do not be fooled. Your school (and your pocketbook) is just as much in jeopardy of being destroyed as any public school.
Hence, Ms. Clark’s inability to comprehend most matters, large or small, are now as comical (and useful) as her make-believe “corrective” lenses, but through the process, ALL OUR children will surely suffer.
She will be looked back upon as the one-woman killing machine of education in BC and the coming NDP government will be left gasping to retill scorched earth–an exercise in futility at the best of times.
While I do not support all the BCTF’s tactics, they are simply forcing the Premier–and you should support them in this, to hoe the road she traveled in an attempt to destroy the teaching profession in British Columbia. Understand that this is her goal and that to stop her as soon as possible should be the goal from anyone that cares about learning in BC.
Where Christy Clark currently sits, she is negotiating terrain made as barren on the way in by her own villainous troops; her own odious strategy, and will certainly suffer the landscape as cold as Russian soil in the dead of the a Cossack winter.
And losing numbers by the droves, indeed–not soldiers, but instead our children–YOUR children, OUR children, in both public and private schools.
Honestly, even Napoleon wasn’t so utterly stupid–or evil.
At least, he knew when to retreat.
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In the interests of getting in all the BC Rail/’Basi-Virk’ posts this week, I will review the vanDongen press conference today, as well as confirm what will set on its head, the government’s egregious lie about the $6,000,000 settlement to David Basi and Robert Virk–meaning that post, and one on the French and Greek elections, will both come tomorrow.
Stay tuned!
New lib name wss-why so secretive
Or
P3card Monty party
Or
Rebublican party?
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Alex – I will try not to be too long winded -
I’m a teacher. Was a Principal for 10 of my 25 plus years in education. Was even a local union pres for one year but gave up on the tf. My wife is a teacher as well and we have two kids in the system – including one with special needs.
So – First – The Principals and Vice Principals Association is too tight with local boards to respond with any meaning to this issue and have contracts that are very weak. They can be easily transferred and thus tend to react only privately with concerns. They mostly try to walk both sides of the street – giving coffee and donuts to teachers on the line while chuckling about them in their private meetings.
They also will receive whatever the teachers get in an increase so will gain without pain (honestly supervision isn’t that bad a gig).
Second – I appreciate you trying to bring all of educators together here – I am one who grew up on the west side of Vancouver with many friends from VC and Saint Georges but found myself strongly against private schools these past few years. I am now wondering if that is not partly because of the use of the Fraser Institutes Report as a stick on Public Schools by publications like the Sun?
I have much more to say – but want to stay shortish. A side note – to those that suggest teachers have it easy? I like my job and think I do have it easy – but my wife works harder and longer than anyone I have ever met and she is considering leaving the profession because of the events this past year. Comments attacking teachers are starting to drive the best out of the profession – Thank you Alex for making this topic less partisan.
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It’s my pleasure to do so.
And I agree, the Fraser Institute is doing no favours to the private schools they claim are number one.
My son and daughters will never leave the house without breakfast to write an FSA.
Or any other time. The standings are skewed.
And I’m ashamed for supporting them in the past.
Private schools are a great environment, generally speaking. Each system has it’s problems.
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The standings are not just skewed, some of the private schools are outright cheating. Teachers are being asked to leave the classroom so administrators can give the students the answers and inflate their test scores. it’s funny that inspite of teacher complaints, no action has been taken. No wonder private schools rate so highly yet these same students don’t do as well as public school students in university. It’s completely corrupt. The Fraser Institute does no one any favors. They provide misinformation, most parents believe that the published results that appear shortly after the exam were from the current year but they are always a year old. You have to wait more than a year to see how your child and his/her peers did.
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Complete and total horse shit.
My two daughters are in private school. So is my son.
None of that is even remotely true.
Total bullshit.
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For 25 years I have been a teacher in this beautiful province of B.C. And I have always been diligent in my responsibilities in that regard. My teaching experiences have rewarded me with memories and joyful moments I cherish.
My early teaching years were in the shop environment where I taught kids how to work safely with tools, which allowed them to create and build projects. From there I moved into the world of alternate education and had the pleasure of working with older kids and young adults. Now, and for the last several years, I am in the world of distance learning and delivering apprenticeship and work experience programs in partnership with schools and school districts (independent and public) across this province. I am a testament to how the public and private education systems can work in harmony together for the betterment of society and the students we serve. Indeed, I am a firm believer that education is the foundation of our civilization and a most important aspect of our society. We must protect it!
When I was young I failed as a student, I was bored and unfocused and easily led astray. I dropped out in grade 10 and broke the hearts of my dear immigrant parents. My folks came to this country to build a better life for their family, so early on I let them down. Fortunately, I smartened up and earned my adult grad, went into an apprenticeship and worked in the ship building industry. I eventually went to university, completed an undergraduate degree in education, and finally a masters degree.
My point is this, education saved me, and I have dedicated my last 25 years of my life encouraging students to embrace their educational experiences and opportunities. I have shared my life story with my students to inspire them to strive to be their best, and to offer them hope.
I became a teacher because I thought it would be a noble and respected career, and I believed I would be rewarded on many fronts as a result. On the most part it has been true, until now.
Now I find myself caught up in this insanity searching for answers to why we are at this junction. I am fearful of the future and what lies ahead for my children and myself. I feel undervalued. It pains me to be referred to as a bottom feeder and a greedy self-serving leach at the public trough. The negative teacher bashing stuff really gets to me.
What happened to respect and appreciation, and why isn’t the teaching profession valued in B.C and why are teachers being persecuted and attacked to such an extreme? I don’t get it. I understand some things should change in the teacher profession and even at the B.C.T.F. But this is way over the top.
Thank you Alex for the support, and bringing the important issues to light.
Regards.
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Thank you for sharing your story. Your dedication and ethic of care, will ensure a solid future for your students. They will always look back and be thankful. THAT is what is important to remember. I too am thankful for the many teachers that were always there for my children, so many of them went above and beyond to ensure that they were always on the right path.
It is the children who are now starting school that I worry about. Our education minister and premier, so-called leader, I’m getting so I don’t even want to say her name, have and continue to systematically remove block by block, the foundation on which we build, the future for our children. Everyone in this province should be fearful for our children………OUR future leaders.
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My two girls have both gone to public schools there was bullying and a divorce going on in their young lives. So what I would like to say is that what ever Christy Clark has to throw at these young children has it’s reprocussions and I must say they are coming. Children have as much to endure and more than any adult. So I am talking to my freinds and neighbors about you Alex and I’m recomending that they read your posts and make comments. I can’t thank you enough Alex.
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Embellish her own academic credentials?
She gets no charity from me.
I just grabbed this from her biography:
http://www.bcliberals.com/premier_christy_clark/
‘After graduating from Burnaby Senior Secondary, Christy studied at Simon Fraser University, the University of Edinburgh, and at the Université de la Sorbonne in Paris.’
“studied at” lol
Talk about padding her credentials.
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The supervisor of public records at Simon Fraser University Burnaby campus:
“We have a record of Christina Joan Clark of that specific birth date who attended Simon Fraser University but did not complete a degree.”
http://www.robbinssceresearch.com/polls/poll_781.html
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thestar.com Feb 26 2011
‘When the B.C. Liberals won power in 2001, Clark’s strong performance in opposition landed her a cabinet job and the position as deputy premier.’
‘But her already well-known ambitions and her fierce battles with the powerful B.C. Teachers Federation led Campbell to demote Clark to the ministry of children and family development.’
‘Although she studied at three different universities, including the prestigious Sorbonne in Paris, Clark never graduated with a degree, a fact pointed out by many teachers who often fought with Clark during her tenure as education minister.’
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/945439–christy-clark-will-be-new-b-c-premier
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She was an au pere in France. The Sorbonne was a mere afterthought.
This has been her plan from day one. Unbridled arrogance and ambition.
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‘After graduating from Burnaby Senior Secondary, Christy studied at Simon Fraser University, the University of Edinburgh, and at the Université de la Sorbonne in Paris.’
Being born and raised in Burnaby, I have never heard anyone mention ‘Burnaby Senior Secondary’. Was it North, Central, or South? What is she trying to hide? I’m sure some of her classmates must have some stories! I also read somewhere that she dropped out of SFU because of a student council election scandal!
She’s proven that it’s not what you know that gets you to places, but rather who you know.
Could it be that she’s inflicting vengeance against teachers based on her poor experience with BC education?
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Or their poor experience with HER!!!
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I’m not sure how much life there’s left in this comment section but this piece of news is more on topic here than the current thread. BCPSEA want to make the teacher’s refusal to VOLUNTEER for extracurricular activities illegal. What are they smoking?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/teachers-employer-wants-withdrawal-from-extracurricular-activities-ruled-illegal/article2427820/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2427820
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Wow! Now this is really over the top – -when will this madness end?
I can’t believe it!
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Masterfully written.
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Thank you very much for so passionately discussing the issues at stake. I have been a teacher for only 9 years, and unfortunately I have had several years now of regretting that decision because of the cuts and lack of support teachers receive. It seems that at every turn our hands are tied to: first of all, do our job in a way that supports all the children in our classes – we are continually forced to decide who will get a chance at help today, and every time we make that choice another child is left without the support they need. Secondly, we are faced with a brick wall every time we try to demonstrate the great need for change to happen with legislation that cripples any action we might take. It is voices like yours that make all the difference!
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Thank you, Julie.
Much appreciated. You have earned my support, even though I still question some of the tactics.
I’ve negotiated multi-million dollar deals and let me assure you, they don’t happen when either party is waving a finger.
You should hire me as your negotiator!!!!! LOL!
Best wishes.
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your comparison is way over the top…who are you trying to impress? surely not I.
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Um, ask me if I care.
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The “Christy tour” in Asia begins..with education of course..I wish she would show this kind of attention to our students and teachers.
Christy Clark @christyclarkbc
Delighted to start my day at a school in Sendai, Japan where the students will soon be doing an exchange to Sooke, BC! http://ow.ly/i/CM0r
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Yeah, that’s if her brinksmanship with teachers in this province doesn’t shutter that school in Sooke as well.
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Alex,
Once again thank you for your candor. It is heartening that someone is taking on these guys before they can destroy even more of the province.
Chancellor… from the front of the classroom, describing Clark as a killer of Public Education is not hyperbole… it’s fact.
Seriously.
If I had the time and space to review the litany of destructive changes she (yes she) has been responsible for: it’s mind-blowing. I have never seen morale in schools at such a low level. Like other posters here, I wouldn’t call myself a radical. I see what I see and call it like I see it.
I’m not a fan of private schools, but Alex talks sense here. It is a crazy ideological agenda that is driving this: not an educational agenda.
Thanks again Alex…
ps The ministry is apparently working on creating new curriculum for 21st century learning. These panels are dominated by think-tankers and ideologues (sp?). Token representation to teachers and post-secondary reps. Can we guess what those panels are going to find? (here’s my suggestion… hit the reset button and send us back to 2001)
pps Gorman (one of the deputy ministers) is apparently the major driving engine of these changes. He wants us to follow England’s lead… now there is an educational disaster!
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Following England’s lead would be beyond a disaster. Their public school system is essentially our private school system. If this is Gorman’s take, he’s an utter fool in this regard.
I’m sorry you don’t like private schools. I think treating private schools as some sort of enemy is completely counterproductive; many BCTF members defeat their own cause by dividing and attacking private schools–it’s nonsensical.
I am a private school product (St. George’s). And I’m an exceedingly proud private school parent of three children (one son and two daughters).
My endorsement of a robust public school system should, therefore, be that much more significant. It is indeed Clark’s ideology that’s the problem–and considering her father was a teacher in Burnaby, I really have to wonder why she hates teachers os much.
Thanks for the supportive words. Glad to have you here.
Be well.
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