FROM THE EDITOR


Te winter issue of Voice comes on the heels of a province-wide listening tour for ETFO released officers as members get ready for what is widely believed to be an early provincial election. Reflect- ing on the impact of organizing together, President Karen Brown writes, “Not only does organizing present an opportunity to change things for the better, it is also a way for us to connect with neighbours, colleagues and community members. Organizing is the antidote to the power- lessness that many of us are feeling aſter years of cuts.”


In Getting Politically Active and Engaged, Sarah Whalen considers the many op-


portunities available to ETFO members to get involved in their union. Stressing the inherently political nature of protecting public education and other public services she writes, “With both federal and provincial elections on the horizon, mobilization and engagement are a priority, not only in Ontario, but across the country.” In A Call to Action: Navigating the Challenges of Special Education, Cristol Bailey


reflects on the impacts of years of funding cuts on the special education needs of students, particularly in the North. “Te increasing demands for special education in Ontario classrooms, particularly in its northern boards, underscore a pressing need for systemic change. Every child deserves a quality education tailored to their unique needs, yet the realities of insufficient funding, staffing shortages and geo- graphic disparities pose significant barriers,” she writes. In Gentle Teaching: Responsive Practices that can Help Calm the Chaos in Class-


rooms, Alannah McGregor and Avery Gray write about teaching skills that help chil- dren better regulate their behaviour. “A dysregulated student is generally not able to learn or participate in classroom activities,” they write. “With that in mind, self- regulation is the foundation for everything we do in the classroom.” In Becoming Banksy, David Stocker writes about creating a graffiti alley in his


school hallway, where students stencilled, spray painted and learned about their so- cial justice heroes. “Let me be the first to say that I’m no expert on Banksy. But what I do know is that his graffiti art is about ideas,” he writes. “Every piece is an oppor- tunity to have a conversation.” Tese articles, along with book reviews, curriculum on food security and a cross-


word are sure to make great winter reading! Happy New Year!


ETFO Executive Members


PRESIDENT Karen Brown, Elementary Teachers of Toronto


FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT David Mastin, Durham


VICE-PRESIDENTS Shirley Bell, Kawartha Pine Ridge Gundi Barbour, Upper Grand


OTF TABLE OFFICER Nathan Core, Waterloo Region


EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Tamara DuFour, Hamilton-Wentworth Mary Fowler, Durham Juan-Yahya Gairey, Peel Shideh Houshmandi, Hamilton-Wentworth Carolyn Proulx-Wootton, Grand Erie Mario Spagnuolo, Greater Essex County Mike Thomas, Thames Valley Sylvia van Campen, Upper Canada Jenn Wallage, Waterloo Sharon O’Halloran, General Secretary Lorna Larmour, Deputy General Secretary Sabrina Sawyer, Deputy General Secretary


ETFO Voice Izida Zorde, Editor Sharon O’Halloran, Business Manager Michelle Goddard, Advertising Sales David Beyer, Design Contributors not otherwise credited: Karen Kindree, Federico Carvajal, Dory Cerny


Member of the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) and Canadian Education Press Association


Indexed in the Canadian Educational Index / Répertoire canadien sur l’éducation


ISSN: 1481-4072


Articles contained herein reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily express official policy of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.


Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply ETFO endorsement of the product or service. Advertising contracts are subject to cancellation if members complain.


Publications Mail Agreement no. 42409515. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:


136 Isabella Street Toronto, ON M4Y 0B5


Phone: 416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-3836 E-mail: etfovoice@etfo.org etfovoice.ca


Printed by Thistle Printing on FSC certified, 10% post-consumer content; Carbon Lite and Green-e®


certified renewable energy paper.


4 ETFO VOICE | WINTER 2024


PHOTO BY CHRISTINE COUSINS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52