I am adding this letter from Sparky to my blogpage upon special request. It was real hard endorsing a recording secretary this year because the candidates were both very good. I choose experience over youth with Ewa. However, I have always been a big supporter of getting our new teachers involved, so his letter is attached below for your consideration, and to be fair.
This is a message for all TSU teachers, most important for those with less than ten years experience. Please pass it on, if possible. Many thanks.
Why is a retired teacher supporting Melissa Ammendolia for TSU Recording Secretary?
Allow me to state a few points on Melissa’s behalf, and on yours, so that you know why I’m working for her.
During this school year, we have seen a minority provincial government be taken to task at the expense of its public service sector, and in our case, teaching. The province intends to amend, through forms of cutback, annual pay raises, sick day accumulation and its related retirement compensation, and, potentially, financial involvement in the teacher pension. This can not be happening at a more unfortunate point, given both the state of today’s economy and the expiry of our current collective agreement at the end of August.
So, without question, this Wednesday’s TSU election is the most important one yet for all teachers, and moreso for beginning teachers and those within their first ten years since it is this group who will bear the brunt of these professional and financial cutbacks.
Having a reliable and capable younger teacher on TSU ’s executive is now more important than ever! That teacher is Melissa Ammendolia, running for Recording Secretary.
While I am now a retiree, from both teaching and after having been on our TSU Executive, I have not forgotten where I ‘came from’. I volunteered to assist during April’s ‘Beginning Teachers’ volleyball tournament. As it turned out, having done so was not without reward. The camaraderie and collegiality amongst this fine group of teachers was amazing, and the positive energy was empowering! They reminded me about the value of a good working environment and teamwork.
It is no wonder that the following Saturday saw so many teachers within their first ten years show up for the ‘Queens·Park Rally Against Cuts’.
T SU Executive can benefit so much from a younger teacher. It really is time for Melissa!
Am I the only veteran feeling that youthful input is important? Not a chance! This sentiment is shared by fellow executive and candidates, René Jansen·in·de·Wal, David Szollosy, Gillian Vivona, Gerard Ardanaz (retiring from Executive), Bianka Hudec, Peter MacKay, and Steve Watson, by the way, many who also showed up for Saturday’s Queens·Park rally.
On Wednesday, be sure to make your vote count
for the future of teachers! For ‘As a young teacher, I’d bring to the Executive the concerns of young teachers at a time in which the changes that are occurring threaten to alienate those new to the profession. We need to be heard. Let me represent you. Let me be your voice.’
Posting written by Mark "Sparky" Stelmacovitch Thanks Mark! We miss having you around with us!
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