Editor:
An open letter to B.C. Premier John Horgan:
I write to you again today, not only to reassure you that I am not a bully, but also to reiterate to you that I am a passionate public school educator, strong advocate to ensure that B.C. students are able to fulfill their educational potentials, and a very well-liked and respected B.C. educator, in both my teaching and advocacy.
My students mean the world to me, and each year I make a very strong commitment to them on their path of learning with me. My students, and all students in B.C., are critical citizens of this province – a population your government has sworn to protect and nurture.
You need to keep that promise, Mr. Horgan.
Mr. Horgan, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate to you my desperate concerns about the state of thousands of public school classrooms in this province.
Tens of thousands of students across B.C. are not getting their educational needs met, special needs children are not getting the services they rightfully deserve and their parents pay taxes for, and there is a critical and growing shortage of teachers in B.C. school districts. Your government promised to do better.
I write to you again today, as a B.C. public school teacher of 22 years, and educator of young children for 34. I have been a supporter, campaign worker, financial contributor, and voter for the BC New Democrats my entire adult voting life. Please know that without a commitment to significantly increase the annual “per pupil funding” amount the Ministry of Education presently funds each B.C. public school student, I will not be able to vote for your party in the upcoming provincial election.
Tina Anderson, Burnaby
