Local substitute teacher John Whidden (Photo courtesy of John Whidden)

By Scott Roblin

Frustrated Teacher

Local teacher leaving profession amid province’s return to class plan

Aug 20, 2020 | 5:54 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A local substitute teacher is protesting the provincial government’s back to school roll out for both students and his fellow instructional staff.

John Whidden, who has spent over 30 years as a substitute teacher locally, has decided to step away from the Medicine Hat Public School Division until the province makes changes to their plan.

“I know that my decision is not going to make their lives any easier,” said Whidden. “But, I feel like I would be complicit in a situation that is not being rolled out correctly or well from a leadership position, and I think that’s the provincial leadership.”

Whidden is taking exception with the UCP government’s plan to return students and teachers into Alberta classrooms next month amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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He says he is not comfortable with the ambiguity that teachers will have to deal with when it comes to shifting, as well as concerns over class sizes and spacing requirements.

“Presumably if you have a flu-like symptom the teacher is going to have to go off, get tested, probably be away from the classroom for five to 10 days,” said Whidden. “Are there stipulations that will allow for them to do that without using up all their sick days? How is that class going to be covered?”

Substitute teaching brings its own challenges in a return to class according to Whidden as well, especially since he believes there hasn’t been enough direction given on where substitute teachers will be able to work.

“We’re trying to keep cohorts and groups separate,” said Whidden. “Now, we’ve got these interlopers that are going between schools and classes. So, that is a definite, unique concern for substitute teachers and for everybody, because that’s possible transmission right there.”

When asked if there is any frustration at the local level, Whidden said he’s had nothing but support and respect for the way the Medicine Hat Public School Division has approached the return to class.

Whidden is also hoping for more consultation with the Alberta Teacher’s Association, who have been asking the province for a delay in the first day of school which is still planned ahead of September’s Labour Day weekend.

In the meantime, Whidden said he will continue to work with various non-profit groups in the Medicine Hat area and is excited to return to the classroom when he feels comfortable.

“I’m hoping that in some tiny way by speaking with you or going on social media, the province will realize if there’s enough people who come out and say it, that there needs to be more done to make this a successful school re-opening in September,” he said.