N.B. plan to retain teachers doesn’t address classroom safety concerns, association says

Educators say safety and challenging behaviour in classrooms is a key issue for teachers, but the province’s new plan to grow the workforce doesn’t mention it.

Education Minister Claire Johnson released a teacher recruitment and retention strategy on Thursday, which is meant to address the current shortage – projected to grow in the coming years as more teachers retire.

It sets out short- and medium-term goals, to be completed within one and three years, respectively, and long-term goals, which don’t have timelines attached. 

The goals range from using data to decide how resources are allocated across schools, to introducing a mentorship program, and expanding education options for people interested in becoming teachers.

"We're very confident that this strategic plan is going to stick, because it was done in collaboration with our partners," Johnson told reporters in Fredericton.

"I would dare to venture that what makes this one different is that everybody recognizes a need for this right now. This is top of mind for everyone."

But the plan doesn’t mention the growing safety issues in classrooms, New Brunswick Teachers’ Association president Heidi Ryder said.

“Health and safety pieces, or classroom complexity, those will be things that are further conversations,” she said. 

“I think we see societally, escalating behaviours, and those appear in our classrooms more and more," Ryder said. "So things like tracking those incidents and then really putting the resources and supports in place, that will really help teachers.”

Anglophone West School District superintendent David McTimoney said behaviours that pose safety issues also have an impact on the retention of teachers.

“There’s no question that that would be among, if not the biggest challenge that teachers would face,” McTimoney said.

“It’s a big part of what a potential teacher would be thinking about, in terms of deciding where they want to work, and what they want to do for a living.”

Johnson said the issue is a priority, even if not explicitly included in the plan.

"We do recognize that the classroom has changed, and that some students have very complex needs," she said.