In a bargaining year, teachers are acutely aware of the need to draw together and have a sense of unity.   I believe this mind-set should characterize the BCTF as well as the STA in non-bargaining times as well.  We are called "a union of professionals" and this slogan should remain our primary focus.  I am committed to a process where all sides of an issue are examined, where ideas are given a respectful hearing, and then decisions are made.  I see our greatest challenge as member involvement.

My experience is primarily school-based.  I have taught Media Technology at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School for the past twenty  six years (I love my job!).  I have been on various Staff Committees for at least ten years (I've lost count).  I have been a yearbook sponsor, have served on accreditation committees, and have been the chairperson of the Professional Development Committee.  I am now a member of the Technology Committee.  I have presented various workshops on Media Technology.

Within the STA, I have served on the Resolutions Committee for three years.  I have authored two resolutions as well as assisted with one other resolution which have been adopted as policy by the BCTF Executive Committee without having to go through the floor debate at the AGM. These resolutions have had to do with (1) affirming research from the US and (2) communicating the results of that research to the mass media which shows how the number of hours students work outside of class time affects their success in school and (3) ensuring that students of religious and non-religious backgrounds are a part of a safe and inclusive school environment.   During the past 4 years, I have been a delegate to the BCTF AGM where I have represented my colleagues and have actively sought to build bridges of understanding between diverse groups.

Anita McBride Frank Hurt Secondary

The process of reviewing resolutions submitted  by Surrey teachers has been interesting and rewarding for me when I've had the opportunity to participate on the Resolutions Committee over the past few years. Considering BCTF motions before they are presented to our membership is a  way of having more in depth discussion than is possible on the floor of the STA AGM. It is also the  role of this committee to make constructive suggestions on resolutions before they are presented at  an AGM. This is a position I take seriously and I'd be happy to represent you again as a member of the Resolutions Committee.

My experience with STA financial and bargaining work equips me well to serve as treasurer on the  executive committee. I have previously participated on the STA executive as treasurer for 2 years and also volunteered on numerous committees including Local Bargaining (4 yrs), Financial Investigation Committee (4 yrs), Financial Advisory Committee (2 yrs), Resolutions (2 years). Please vote for me so I can continue serving the interests of  STA members as treasurer.

This position is very important to me for 2 reasons: First, I was a substitute for 4 years in Surrey and Langley so I have an intimate understanding of how hard a TOC's job is and how we must make their job as easy as we can. Second, I am a shop teacher and we have the worst TOC shortage of any area. Elect me and I will do all I can for TOC's. I am now a full time teacher so it will be easy for TOC's to contact me. We must treat Teachers on Call as honored guests in our district and our classrooms.

I have served on the Resolutions Committee for three years. I enjoy the process of clarifying resolutions and digging through the BCTF Members' Guide. I tend to challenge resolutions that exceed our mandate as teachers, or those that could be misused in a "worst case scenario".  I think for myself, and am not afraid to ask difficult questions.

Part of our job,  as I see it, is to help members participate by assisting them to word resolutions precisely; not always an easy task, but definitely rewarding. This spring, at the BCTF AGM, it was a privilege to bring forward excellent resolutions from Surrey on a variety of subjects that directly affect teachers' jobs and students' learning conditions.

Please include me in the names you select for Resolutions Committee.