Opening Statement



Monday 30 September 2013

On the 250,000th Reader Visit!


This weekend marked a milestone for my blogsite: the 250,000th reader visit! I am honoured by your interest and the opportunity to provide our Ontario teachers with an independent all affiliate teacher + union news + views site.


From March 2009 to present.

My blog identification is explained in the top paragraph under the title of my blog. From time to time I have discussed the purpose and direction of the blog, as it develops over time to meet your needs. I will continue to do so.

As professional teachers we are amongst the most highly trained in the world. Many studies indicate that we have one of the top education systems too. We are also publicly funded. As a result the public and the politicians have a vested say in our profession. Unfortunately we often are not shown the professional respect one would expect with all the success we have had.

For many years we have fought hard with mixed success to have more say in educational matters as the front line providers of schooling in our province. Unfortunately those with a lot less practical, day to day experience in the educational process are often the ones who are put in charge of telling us what to do. Often they do so to meet a political agenda, more so than to meet the everyday reality + needs in the classes we teach.

In addition many of us are frustrated with our representation as proud teacher union members past + present who can think, discuss and debate the important issues effecting our teacher movement, profession + contract needs at the grassroot level. Increasingly decisions are made on our behalf without much transparency and accountability. As teachers you are the union and so it is quite understandable that you find this disconnect unacceptable for our individual and collective wellbeing.

Here on my blogsite you will find an open forum in the Comments column below each blog. You can speak responsibly expressing yourself without fear of bullying or censure. You will find information, news + views which are publicly available elsewhere via the internet all in one place. You are busy as teachers. As a recent retiree I am glad to be able to provide a clearing house of sorts where you have easy access.

The saying goes that if you find a need fill it. I am pleased to say that would seem to be happening here. So far 406 blogs have been posted and are available either here on my main page or in the archives below. You have posted 1669 comments. Approximately 4/5ths of my readers are from Ontario, Canada. There is a sizable group of readers from the USA and UK. There are also sometimes hundreds or even thousands of readers from around the world, most recently from Russia, China and Indonesia. All in all the future looks bright. In September alone this year there were 20,975 reader visits.

There are and will be critics of our interaction here for various reasons other than those of our own. I appreciate your ongoing support for what is after all a much needed opportunity for us to enjoy our freedom of speech and thought, much moreso than we usually unfortunately do as teacher professionals for the reasons outlined. I can assure you that if this blog is ever somehow shut down or censored it will go with a big bang, not a whimper.

However, I don't think that should be necessary. We are teacher professionals, and that should be respected. Also constructive criticism, dialogue and guest blogs are most welcome here. It would also be futile. With the new social media there will only be more + more such blog, websites, Facebook pages, Tweets + the like in the near future, secrets, censorship, plotting + manipulation notwithstanding.

Like it or not, there has been a major paradigm shift in our communications. Knowledge might be power, but no longer can it ultimately be controlled in the hands of the few. We can now be a lot more transparent + democratic then that! Let's hope everyone gets with the program. The future will demand it.


Teachers unite + have your say!

If you find this blog interesting and worthwhile as a teacher and unionist please share my link in solidarity. All teachers, unions and different points of view are encouraged here so we can expand the horizons of our education system, teachers union movement and our profession. I look forward to continuing with what I believe is a very important opportunity for us to do so. Please share the good word.

In solidarity/
Cheers!

David C
[Grand Pooh Bah + Blogmeister ;-]

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this blog, David. It has been the beacon of freedom, truth and democracy at a time when OECTA has stood for something not even close to your standards and ideals.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your reaching 250,000 visits. Wonderful milestone to achieve! I check your blog almost every day for new posts - keep 'em coming!

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