Nova Scotia student teachers want to work-to-rule, too
'Being seen as 'extra' is just so demeaning to us,' Nayo Upshaw says of union
Some Nova Scotia education degree students want to return to teaching Tuesday, too.
Nova Scotia Teachers Union members will be back teaching Tuesday after a day with no children and teens in classroom seats. The education minister has re-opened schools to students, saying the province considers the union's work-to-rule job action to be safe.
Under that job action, teachers have scaled back their work to only what's in the now-expired collective agreement; that means no extras, including supervising student teachers.
Some second-year education students at St. Francis Xavier University are arguing that the Education Act — which mandates teachers allow student teachers in the classroom — should be followed.
"I think it's essential that we be under the work to rule. We should be there," Nayo Upshaw said.
"Being seen as 'extra' is just so demeaning to us, as well, to see that we're not treated as a regular teacher would be."
'An opportunity lost'
The students found out late last week their work term would be put on pause, the university's Education Dean Jeff Orr said.
The Antigonish-based university has had a long relationship with the union, even inviting presidents to speak to classes, he said.
The importance of unions is covered in the curriculum, too. At one point during semester, students run mock union local meetings to put forward motions to improve education.
"It's an opportunity lost for our students teachers to be alongside their NSTU colleagues, learning about job action."
The Nova Scotia Teachers Union did not reply for comment.
St. FX has approximately 180 students on such placements, and Acadia about 125. Mount Saint Vincent University's 180 were supposed to begin their placements this week.
Student teachers, known as "pre-service teachers", must complete 15 weeks of placement work in order to become licensed.
On their placements, all student teachers must follow the NSTU Code of Ethics, student Rebecca Clancey pointed out. Each must join the union upon graduation, if they want to work for public school boards.
"I would never cross the picket line if teachers were standing on it," Rebecca Clancey said.
"That is not my role as a pre-service teacher. It is to support an in-service teacher."
It's kind of like they've turned their back on us.- Student teacher Katy Grosicki
She'd like to continue teaching her math units to junior high and high school students, and building on the mentoring relationships she has with them. While doing so, Clancey said she would follow work-to-rule like the teachers.
'Not a great feeling'
Katy Grosicki also said it's "disheartening and upsetting" the teachers union won't let her be at school.
"It's weird that they wouldn't want us to experience what it's like to be taking job action," she said.
"Now it's kind of like they've turned their back on us — and that's not a great feeling for us, going into wanting to join this union soon."
The students also argued they should have a representative on the union, too.
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