Dear Editor:
Full disclosure: I am a lazy, greedy, obedient teacher with more to whine about. Last year I arrived at my high school and I reached into my mailbox surprised to find my classroom supplies for the year: three pencils, four pens, tied with one brown elastic.
History: My school district is trying to settle a $5- million debt, partially accumulated because of the restricted funding to all B.C. school districts. Our staff and administration have been trying to deliver the same educational services with less funding since 2002 because of Education Minister Christy Clark's vision for a strong two-tier education system.
Yet, optimistically, I strolled to my classroom and giggled at the inadequacy of the supplies in my fist. With greed in my heart I gleefully fondled my stash of hoarded supplies accumulated from years before: not quite enough.
Lazy, I just went out to Walmart and bought the supplies my students need to learn. As expected, I used up all my hoarded supplies before opening my personal supply; I didn't once ask for more. But I did whine about it.
Today, I stand in Walmart trying to fill my children's teachers' abundant wish list of supplies. Driven by greed, in June, I contrived a scheme to save all my children's gently used supplies so I could keep my money. Lazy self-interest fuels my quick 20-minute shop for my children's supplies. I purchase the minimum, under $80 for all three kids. Good job!
Guilty in the till lineup with a full basket of supplies for my classroom and I start to quietly burn. My greedy self said, "Well I just won't buy it. We can all suffer." My whiny self said, "I don't have the money to donate money to a system that is on the brink of failure." And my obedient self said, "Oh, come on, I have an obligation to my students to have white boards, pens and ink to access their hard work and paper for those who are without."
The government is using my wages to pay the families $40 per day per child to spend as each family wishes: take a longer holiday, redirect those funds to the private education system, or donate it to the B.C. Liberal government. So why should I fund the flighty idealism of a universal public education system? Because I am driven to.
M.J. Hunt, by email
