mathematics teacher

TDSB

There wasn't ever a time when working at the TDSB wasn't filled with problems or drastic downs, but the opposite of this was also true, it was filled with solutions and times of plenty. You could go to work, do your job, be around to help just about everyone who needed it and still have the energy to touch up what needed to be done, dusting, spot cleaning, the odd dustmite that just refuses to stay still. But that's gone. 

The culture is something special, and above all can't be expressed without experience, there's a brotherly/sisterly bond you'll feel when working alongside caretakers for long periods of time you get along with, finding yourself in a diverse and wonderful setting of not only competing ideas but hardworking people who above all just want the facilities they're stationed in to be clean. While the TDSB may be at its lowest point yet, the culture of CUPE4400 and above all the Caretakers, has manged to stand strong though what can only be described as a disaster. 

Management is a mixed bag, and cannot be fully faulted for the failings thereof. The TDSB is sadly an entity that built its foundations around its flaws, and continues to do so with everyone problem faced ad nauseam, and sadly it's because there's only so much one can do with the power vested in them. CTLs and FTLs are a mixed bag, a true mixed bag, no two are truly alike and some you may get along with, others you may not, but since the changes made during COVID, they've begun to show their true colours far more frequently, for good and for ill. There's been a many a good supervisors that's risen up to break the mould and go above their station to help and be a true team leader, and others have done everything in their power to ruin the lives of just about everyone they come across who they, for whatever reason, deem unfit for whatever reason. However, most of this can be avoided for the average worker by simply doing your job and just keeping your head down, easier said than done, but with time it gets easier. You'll find that you can get a good day's work in so long as you focus and keep your head on straight.

The workplace culture as explained above, is something very special here, and once more the Caretakers you work with, while some might be a bit more of an acquired taste than others, are still among the best you'll ever meet- don't ever think you're not among friends, just take time to get to know them and you'll find most are more than willing to back you up, so long as you back them up. They'll also stick out with you through some of the hardest parts of this job, so long as you're not too much of an acquired taste yourself. 

This job, can only be described in one word "Anarchy". Once there was order, a system, though complex in areas, it functioned, though broken in some areas, it kept moving, and though it was starting to fall apart, patches could have fixed it. However, it's now pointless to fix something so dilapidated and misunderstood that the only true way to fix it, would be to start again. Your job, is nothing short of exhausting, you are doing the job of, at minimum, two people, including yourself. The workload has increased nearly triple what it once was, the lack of staff due to mismanagement lack of provincial support over the years has made it nearly impossible to fill in the gaps. You cannot begin to fathom just how bad things are getting in most areas of the school board, from broken equipment, to machines that are almost 20 years past their repair date, to shipments for supplies being backlogged by months sometimes longer, the lack of meaningful budget balancing between the rampant overspending has made it not a job, but a chore to work as a Caretaker. Though some will find easier facilities than others, those are sadly exceptions to the rule now, not the rule itself, you will be working with dirty equipment, not because we want to, but because many of us do not have the time to clean it after the day's work is done. There needs to be a change in the TDSB at the top for anything meaningful to happen, the flaws must be addressed, the leaks plugged, the structure re-supported, and sadly the province took this initiative away from the TDSB. 

Outside of your time spent among your friends and peers within the TDSB, there's very little enjoyable about this job anymore, spare moments here and there of lovely interactions with parents and teaching staff, are sadly filled with long, depressing, exhausting, mentally draining days of exhausting labour filled in only by the occasional performance meeting. If it wasn't for the capabilities of the remaining staff and their dedication to keep going despite the hardships currently heaped upon them, Caretakers, Teachers, Union, CTL and FTL alike, this would not be worth sticking though. 

But, maybe there's a chance this changes in the future, maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel, or maybe it's the maw of the dragon, who can say. Despite it all, it's still not the worst it can be, it's bad, but those still here are doing the best they can, they just need a little help. 

Everyday i would wake up changed, i would go to work with the motive to help these kid grow as people but still enjoy being a kid. However, I grew a person wile trying to do so. The management at Greenholme was wonderful; everyone working together to help the children enjoy growth, and also enjoy ourselves while setting a good example.My co-workers were friendly, fun and kind to everyone. While working at Greenholme difficulty didn't cross my mind, I loved everything about my work. The most enjoyable part while working at Greenholme was interacting with the children, it brought me joy to be a part of their lives and their growth. Working at Greenholme also helped me grow as a person; while i was trying to be the best possible role model for the children, my character started changing for the better.

My job in this position was very enjoyable and fun, as an Intake and Orientation Assistant I got the opportunity to meet with newcomer adults and youths. 
I learnt many new skills like referral, facilitation; interviewing and I also got the opportunity to improve my communications, interpersonal. Customer care and administrative skills.
The management team was extremely supportive and helpful and was a joy to work with.
I also had the pleasure of meeting with many new co-workers who had their own personalities, a combination of which made work very rewarding and enjoyable.
The hardest part of the job was leaving at the end of the day with any unfinished work
The most enjoyable part of the job was meeting with new people and knowing that at the end of the day am able to accomplish all my tasks comfortably

A typical day at work would involve a student coming to school with issues that they are not sharing upfront and I had to detect whether they are ready for academics or not,
Sometimes behaviours do not show up immediately so my co-workers and I worked as a team to detect any discomfort which would be address immediately,
The hardest part of the job was when the students were unable to express and end up having behavioural problems which as a CYW I would help to prevent or work through with them,
The best part of the day was when I see feelings of accomplishment e.g. if they did well on a test or project and although not able to show through facial interpretation, one knows that they are happy,

A typical day at work is busy, hectic and fun! Working with children you have to be energetic and "on" all the time. It is a very rewarding profession. I have learned over the years to deal with all kinds of personalities and take on leadership roles. You have to be flexible and respectful of others and their differences. I have learned not to be judgemental of others and to accept their opinions and differences. I think that that is one of the most difficult parts of the job. I also feel that in teaching you are always trying to better yourself and create a challenging, caring and positive environment.
The most enjoyable part of the job is working with the children and their parents. The parents at Lambton Kingsway are professional, respectful and supportive. I developed a wonderful relationship with them.

Teaching offers the opportunity to positively influence the lives of young minds. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping students' academic abilities, character development, and future prospects. Witnessing students grow, learn, and succeed can be incredibly rewarding. Many teachers find fulfillment in knowing they are making a difference in the world by imparting knowledge and fostering critical thinking skills. The satisfaction derived from seeing students grasp difficult concepts and achieve their goals can be deeply gratifying.
 Teaching can be demanding, with long hours spent planning lessons, grading assignments, and attending to administrative tasks. Managing a classroom effectively while catering to diverse learning needs can also be challenging. This workload can lead to stress, especially during busy periods such as exam seasons.

What is the best part of working at the company?
TDSB has gone down hill in so many areas. Poorly trained principals, staff that are fed up with the lack of support and the free for all attitude that comes with allowing all children with any disability or behaviour enter the school system with no support.  Very little integrity, wear what you want and they spend money where it’s not needed.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Lack of support, poorly trained principals 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Toxic most of the time, all staff are highly stressed, your job is not defined and as a result many take a leave of absence.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Sometimes rewarding to see a student make progress but so many behaviours that it makes you stressed out

My experience teaching in the TDSB was part of my teaching certification. I had 3 separate experiences at 3 different schools which allowed me to see the differences between teaching techniques, neighbourhoods and grade levels. 

A typical day begins around 8 at the school with preparation and set up for the days lessons. Often classes run all morning with a possible prep period for additional set up or lesson planning for future lessons. The day runs until 3 - 3:30 - 3:45 depending on the school. 

Teaching in the TDSB can be difficult based on lack of funding. Often classrooms are in need of repairs, materials are old or non-existent, and classroom sizes continue to rise. However, this makes positive relationships and connections more difficult yet more rewarding when they happen.

Typical day at work: Cleaning. Nonstop. You are Sisyphus pushing a boulder up a mountain everyday, only for it to roll back down and you have to start all over again the next day. If you like that, you will love this.

What you learn: How to clean efficiently, how to use machines like auto-scrubbers, lawn mowers, buffers, and cleaning chemicals. 

Management: It's a toss up. Some are great. Most are horrible.

Workplace culture: Amongst other caretakers it's very much a bro's club, conservative-leaning. Amongst school staff it is more liberal, but 90% of them look down on you and think you're an idiot, and treat you as such.

Hardest part of the job: The toll it takes on you physically, the people who look down on you and think you are an idiot.

Most enjoyable: The pay, and sometimes you only work a couple hours.

Good place to work, great benefits package and helps to be part of the union . I love my job and for the most part I feel supported . The workplace culture is fair and I have a good amount of supportive co workers. They don’t tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind . I would say the only drawback is not enough prep time but that’s a school issue . I also feel like I can go to the union with any sort of issue if I can’t talk to management . The hours can be long and sometimes I do work at home but that’s my personal choice and not a requirement . I’ve learned good time management skills since working for tdsb.  I’ve done a lot of research and all schools are different but my typical work day involves being with the kids and teaching from the moment they walk in-class or small group. I get some prep time when the kids are in specials but that doesn’t always happen 

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