“Pulling Up to My School I Can Feel My Heart Throbbing in My Throat.”

Pulling up to my school I can feel my heart throbbing in my throat. I've planned my reading groups with anticipation to finally use our new reading resources. Phew! Made it to my room without any papers handed off urging me to cover classes for today. But then I get a text: I have to cover 3 periods.

Now the race is on before announcements to redesign my day and see who out of the 54 students who need my help I can try to touch base with. Somewhere I have to find prep. I'm science, math and gym today. Pack my bag for my new adventure.

A student is excited to see me in the hall asking me when we can read together. I can't answer. She reads at a grade 3 level in grade 7. I tell her I'm sorry and I hope it's soon. She says she needs a break from class...girl drama. I offer a safe space on my prep. Then more work before the first bell finally rings.

This is what day looks like with our lack of funding: overworked, overstressed staff and students who don’t get the attention they deserve.

– ETT MEMBER, Scarborough