06/10/2025
The short version:
I’ll be offering a 30% discount on counselling sessions to teachers, educational assistants, and anyone else working in public schools for the duration of the strike. Spaces are limited, but I want to do what I can to support the mental health of educators, administrators, and support staff during this time. Please reach out with any questions, and feel free to share with the educators in your life.
The long version:
My mom was a teacher. Many of my friends and family members are teachers. I’m a former teacher myself, and I worked as an educational assistant while I was in grad school. I know first-hand the tireless dedication of people in public education.
For the past fourteen years, I’ve entrusted my own children to public school teachers. I still remember during the pandemic when I would have given almost anything to have my kids back in school. I was not built to homeschool four kids! When their dad and I split up, it was their teachers who watched out for them, who comforted them when they were away from us. Over the years, teachers have sent me notes about my kids’ strengths and the qualities they admire in them. They’ve also raised concerns when needed, helping me notice things I might have otherwise missed.
In a society like ours that relies on public services, it’s our responsibility as citizens to hold government accountable. We need to protect the teaching profession so that we continue to have qualified, dedicated educators in schools. Some say that if teachers don’t like their job, they should just find another. I strongly disagree. Imagine schools staffed with underqualified people. What would that mean for our children? What would lowering educational standards do to the long-term success of our kids, our communities, and our economy?
I hear from my own children how crowded their classrooms are, how many kids have diverse needs, and how many classmates require ongoing emotional or mental health support. There are simply too many kids with too many complex needs relying on too few teachers and EAs. This has to change. I want better for my kids and for this province I’ve called home my whole life.
I stand with teachers.