Your new Teaching Council representative
Mike Connor, a teacher at Whanganui City College, has been elected secondary teachers’ representative on the Teaching Council.
Frustration fuelled Mike Connor’s decision to stand in the recent Teaching Council elections. “There seems to be a lack of urgency with addressing complaints, so even their core business seems to be found wanting.
“The proposed fee hike was the last straw on a fairly overburdened camel’s back so I decided to put my money where my mouth is and stand to bring teachers’ voice to a fairly select table.”
Aiming high
Mike’s goals for his three year term include: having a voice on the Council that is in touch with how teachers think; having complaints dealt with more quickly; ultimately re-integrating the Council back into the Ministry of Education, with no fees for teachers; and having teachers create codes and standards.
Keeping in touch with teachers is a top priority for Mike. “Hopefully I can communicate with teachers through PPTA channels every so often – I’d like to be able to answer questions, seek suggestions and let teachers know what’s going on as much as possible.”
Mike’s term on the Teaching Council begins in July.