I wrote this yesterday on Facebook but felt the need to share this again here. Please share too if you feel like it.

Today is my birthday and it’s been an emotional day so far.

In between preschooler tantrums, Twitter wars, the first day of Job Action for Teachers going on strike and stress about what it all means for students, I remain hopeful. 

But I am also sad.

Sad that so many people still do not understand the government has not got their priorities in order.

Sad that people are saying teachers are greedy.

Sad that there are opinions flying around, and uninformed ones at that, influenced by the soundbites spewed out by media that are creating dissention and chaos to gain viewership.

Sad that we are so easily swayed by others opinions.

This is a fight for democracy, justice and our kids. It’s not just about money.

The best birthday gift you could give me, if you’ve been thinking about sending something my way;), is to inform yourself and to understand the bigger picture.

Teachers are not and have never been greedy. If they were they would find better paying jobs.

There is money for education, it’s just being spent in other ways. Pipelines, increased MLA salaries, the list goes on. It has to stop. And this is what the fight is all about.

Unfortunately the Government’s tactic is to provoke a strike by back pedalling on negotiations. By continuing to ‘bargain’ in bad faith, if you can call it bargaining.

They want all of us to suffer while they sit back and count the money being saved through the strike.

We cannot give up!

We can band together. We can help each other through these difficult times. Is your neighbour scrambling for childcare? Find a way to help, just a little. Is your child’s teachers standing up for their rights on the picket line? Go see them and offer your kind words, because I know you have them in your heart.

Please inform yourself and think less of your present suffering. It will only get worse if we are shortsighted in our thinking about this issue.

Please show the government that not only do we support teachers but we demand that our tax money be spent in ways that provide our kids with the futures they deserve.

That means having a public school system fully funded to provide teachers with the resources needed to do their jobs as effectively as possible.

Happy birthday to me:) Stay strong BC teachers! I love you all you crazy kids!