THREAD:
Dear @AdrianaLaGrange,
I am writing to you as one former trustee to another. I am going to start with the assumption that you value education as much as I do and that you believe it is the foundation of a just and equitable society. In other words, education matters.

I hope as well that you believe in teachers and that they have the best interests of children at heart. I have been married to a teacher for a long time and I've seen the care, the worry, the dedication, the extra hours, & the effort that goes into this profession up close.

I know there are a few teachers who don't bring all of this to their job. Like any profession, there are some who try to get by with the minimum effort but they are the exception in teaching. Those who don't invest themselves in the work are only cheating themselves in the end.

It is important to know all this because it is the basis of trust and without trust it is very difficult to lead effectively. And I'm not convinced you trust teachers, principals and trustees. They are telling you things that you need to hear, but you don't seem to believe them.

When they say our numbers of COVID are too high and this is affecting staff morale and an overall sense of safety in the school, you aren't listening. When they say, it's time to go online so we can continue learning and support everyone's wellbeing, you say no.

When teachers say, we are suffering burnout and need your support, you don't seem to respond to that need in real and tangible ways. When Principals say the extra burden of contact tracing hundreds of kids on the weekend is causing enormous stress, you don't respond.

When trustees and parents say they have concerns about the curriculum, you tell them their input is not valuable, that you prefer to listen to those who pilot the new curriculum instead. At the basis of all of these reactions is a lack of trust in the people you lead and serve.

Teachers are my husband's school need to go online now. They have 300+ kids out as close contacts, the school is being hollowed out by COVID. Teachers don't want to go online. Teaching in person is easier, more fun, and more rewarding. They LIKE seeing the kids.

So please TRUST them. If they ask you to go online, it's because it is the only thing that makes sense and it is necessary. TRUST the Principals who tell you they have evaluated the situation carefully. TRUST your former colleagues, trustees, that they are making good decisions.

TRUST parents who have been walking this impossible journey the past year with their children.
By placing your trust in all these dedicated Albertans, you might earn a bit of their trust.
Thank you,
Sue Huff
Former #EPSB trustee
@ABSchoolBoards #ATA #asca @PublicSchoolsAB

cc: @shandro

cc: @jkenney

When I wrote this thread this morning, I didn't expect that my husband would be the next one sent home. One of his kids has tested positive and he (and everyone else in the class) is considered a close contact. This is his/our first time. So I guess we have been lucky til now.

The good news: the kid's parents did the right thing. They kept the student at home when a family member tested positive and awaited their results. They notified the school immediately. So, thank you parents for reducing the risk to my husband and all the kids in their class.

Hubbie scrambled together sub plans for his other class (unaffected at this point), materials so he can teach his isolated class online, and left the building as quickly as possible. Now we go into isolation. Looks like the risk to him is low (thx again parents!). #deepBreaths

5:30 PM update- another positive case at the school, another 2 classes out. This is completely out of hand. Pls step in @AdrianaLaGrange