Between being asked to carry more, fewer supports and resources and increasingly complex student needs, teachers are being stretched thin.
The Vernon Teachers' Association is putting a spotlight on the growing challenges educators are facing in School District 22 (SD22).
"As president of the Vernon Teachers鈥� Association, I鈥檝e seen firsthand the extraordinary effort teachers across SD22 bring to their classrooms," said Dave MacKenzie. "I鈥檝e also seen how chronic underfunding is stretching the system 鈥� and the people within it 鈥� beyond what鈥檚 sustainable."
In classrooms across Cherryville, Lumby, Lavington, Vernon, Coldstream, and everywhere in between, MacKenzie says the role of teachers has changed dramatically, and families are seeing the impacts.
"Today鈥檚 educators are managing complex learning needs, responding to student mental health challenges, adapting to evolving curriculum expectations, and stepping in where other services fall short.
"What's holding public education together right now isn鈥檛 policy or funding 鈥� it鈥檚 the resilience and compassion of educators who keep showing up, even
as the demands on them continue to grow."
According to the 2024鈥�25 BCTF Membership Survey, only 39 per cent of teachers across B.C. describe their workload as manageable, and fewer than one in four believe students鈥� academic or emotional needs are being met.
"That reflects what we hear in SD22 as well 鈥� teachers stretched beyond capacity, working every day to support students without the resources that make success sustainable," said MacKenzie.
The president says there are encouraging signs in the district as efforts are underway to reallocate resources and respond to complexity and strengthen supports. But time will tell whether the changes are felt in the classrooms.
"Even the most thoughtful local efforts have limits," MacKenzie said. "For years, teachers have stretched themselves to shield students from the impact of funding shortfalls. But that strain has reached a tipping point."
A funding model that reflects today's realities is what is needed and the Vernon Teachers' Association is encouraging parents, families and residents to reach out to Vernon鈥揕umby MLA Harwinder Sandhu at "to express support for stable, adequate provincial funding that addresses the conditions teachers face every day."
MacKenzie adds: "This work can鈥檛 fall on educators alone."
While the Vernon School District plays a major role, he says the provincial government needs to step up with sufficient funds.
"When we invest in teachers, we鈥檙e investing in students, in families, and in the health of our communities. Because when educators thrive, students thrive. And when students thrive, we all benefit."
