New Yukon teachers' contract 'groundbreaking,' says gov't official

The Yukon Teachers' Association has signed a new contract with the territorial government, and Yukon Education'sacting head of public schoolssays aspects of it are "groundbreaking."

"I'm pretty pleased that, in fact, we were not able to just address some of the labour issues around wages, and those kind of things, and benefits," says Mike Woods, "but also that we really were looking at an eye for education of students."

Woods says that one key aspect of the new contract is a pilot project, beginning in September. Seven kindergarten classes across the territory will take part in the project, which will provide additional support in the form of educational assistants and intensive training for teachers. The project's goal is to have all students reading and writing at grade level by grade 3.

"We feel this is actually quite groundbreaking," says Woods. "For us to work on a pilot with the teachers, to provide additional supports."

One unique aspect of the project, says Woods, is that educational assistants will stay with the same group of students as they move through grade levels.

"So they'll start with the students in kindergarten," he explains, "and when the students move to grade 1, that educational assistant will follow."

Focus on classroom behaviour

Another provision of the new contract will see the government work collaboratively with the teachers' association on a territory-wide plan to deal with difficultbehaviour in Yukonclassrooms.

Woods says that teachers have noticed a growing problem with classroom behaviour, and that a joint committee will look at training to help teachers improve behaviour in classrooms.

"And really getting the community involved, as well," he adds, "because problematic behaviour in school also, sometimes, is outside in the community. We want people to have successful lives."

Woods says the goal of the new contract, besides settling labour disputes between the two sides, isto bring change to every classroom in the Yukon.

"It really does define a new relationship with the Yukon Teachers' Association between the Department of Education," he said."And that group [can]really try to work on things together, really aimed at improving the outcomes for students."