What I Should've Told My MLA: Teachers Are Worth the Money

Should teachers think like economists? I, for one, don't. I've been a teacher for 13 years and I recently met with my MLA, John Yap, for 40 minutes to ask him for his thoughts on the teachers' dispute and to encourage binding arbitration to end it.

Mr. Yap answered my calm questions about the government's spending patiently and courteously. Roof on BC Place? Good for the economy. Olympics? Good for the economy. Budget surplus? A sign government is making the right decisions for the economy. Give some of that surplus to settle the dispute? Well, $200 million isn't much in a $40-billion or so yearly budget.

Wait, not much? Then why not invest it in education, I asked. Well, forest fires, things like that can come up. Gotta save it for more important stuff was the message I got.

I've reflected on his answers these past few days. Certainly, the economy is important. But how does one put a dollar value on a child's self-esteem and potential? If it could be measured, we'd certainly want to know how much self-esteem was lost because a child went unnoticed in an over-crowded class.

Furthermore, what degree of inspiration gets squashed when a teacher is forced to deal with a child with an undiagnosed severe emotional disorder? What volume of creativity is lost for a child who must wait and wait for a teacher's guidance on a great piece of writing?

Does none of this matter to the economists?

Value it

How many children doubt themselves each day, and how many teachers re-inspire them to believe in themselves? How many units of self-worth were on the line when a seven-year-old boy told me, "I'm not good at reading. I'm really bad at writing." Can you measure it? No.

I dare anyone to put a dollar value on a child's self-esteem and potential. That's what class composition and class size is ultimately reduced to: how much proper attention each child in the class receives. That's what the BC Liberals are trying to take away as they appeal our court rulings.

To Mr. Yap, remember your heart and please tell Ms. Clark what I told you: That we are failing children of all abilities by choosing to allow the system to erode.

I invite you to spend a full day in a classroom, as an observer rather an MLA guest, during the Grade 5 study of government. Watch how those teachers and educational assistants juggle the day and manage to inspire and challenge the kids despite the unnecessary constraints.

Investing in children is the most important insurance policy we carry. Any economist will tell you it's unwise to have no insurance. We will pay the price someday, and we will be sorry.