‘Irresponsible’ job posting
Alanna Kelly - Feb 22, 2018 - Biz Releases

Do you have a university degree and want to become a teacher?

The Salmon Arm School District is looking for you.

“Due to a shortage of certified teachers, the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District is looking to hire individuals without a teaching certificate to replace absent teachers,” reads a job posting.

That posting, which was shared on Twitter, Facebook and numerous job hiring sites, states the successful applicants will perform normal duties of a teacher such as instruction, supervision, lesson preparation and marking for the day’s assignment.

President of the BC Teachers’ Federation Glen Hansman said the posting is irresponsible.

“We are really alarmed to be seeing a school district in a super desirable part of the province advertised in just general classroom position for any old person with a university degree.”

He said this is the first time he has seen a posting like this for the Okanagan.

“Teaching isn’t just like running a birthday party for 30 children.”

“It is not just like ‘I am an expert on biology and now I am going to teach you Grade 6 science,’ no sorry… there is an art and it is a profession for a reason,” laughed Hansman.

Statistics Canada states teachers working in BC make 11,818 less than teachers working in Alberta.

“BC Teachers starting salary is pathetic compared to the rest of the country,” said Hansman.

After 15 years of experience, teachers in BC would make 17,540 less than teachers with the same experience in Alberta.

“The province needs to ensure that school district’s have the ability to hire certified, qualified teachers,” he said.

Hansman points the blame at the previous government for cutting and underfunding teaching jobs.


All Biz Releases Stories