Dear Teachers Teaching on Call,

This year, from May 5–9, we celebrate Teachers Teaching on Call (TTOC) Appreciation Week to thank you for all the work you do.
 
TTOCs are essential members of our school communities. Every day, you are responsible for meaningful instruction, classroom management, and balancing students’ diverse needs, all while adapting to new school and classroom environments. From Revelstoke to Rock Creek to Richmond, and all over BC, TTOCs ensure that students are supported and engaged, often on incredibly short notice. I thank you for this work.

In these times of teacher shortages and complicated working conditions, we especially appreciate your flexibility and your commitment to students and schools across this province. Your presence, your work ethic, and your willingness to be flexible are all key pieces that allow our schools to thrive. Check out our Instagram feed this week for some great videos from your colleagues.

Whether you are new to teaching or have chosen TOCing as a career, I encourage you take the time to learn about the services your union provides. The BCTF has many resources and opportunities for you.

If you have questions about benefits available to you and your dependents, please click here for more information.

You may also be interested in learning more about the BCTF’s provincial specialist associations (PSAs). PSAs offer professional development opportunities and are a great avenue to connect with colleagues from across the province who share your passion for specific subject areas or teaching practices. You can see the full list of PSAs here and we invite you to engage with any that interest you.

We also have a variety of teacher-developed resources for different grade levels and subject areas. You can search for resources here by theme, subject area, or grade level.

You may also be interested in reading our award-winning publication Teacher—a collection of articles and contributions by teachers and for teachers. It is delivered to your school five times a year and you can also find an online version at teachermag.ca.

I hope your time as a TTOC is rewarding. The Federation and your teacher colleagues across the province deeply appreciate the important work you do. If there is anything we here at the BCTF can do to support you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
 
Thank you and take care,
 
Clint Johnston
BCTF President