February 23, 2016

Welcome to the first issue of BCTF Dispatch, a newsletter for BC teachers teaching on call
(TTOCs). This is a new, online publication that will replace the TTOC Alert that had been issued
several times a year. The purpose of the newsletter is to ensure that BC teachers who are
working on call are kept informed regarding issues that directly relate to them. The newsletter
will include information from the BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) on the Provincial Collective
Agreement, health and safety information, tips for TTOCs in the classroom, and opportunities
to become involved in your union. This issue also introduces Ms. Subbie, an advice column
where TTOCs can ask their burning questions about all aspects of the life of a TTOC.

Tips and tricks for TTOCs

Be prepared
1. Keep PE strip/running shoes in your car for those days when you might have to
unexpectedly teach PE.
2. Keep a childrens book (or a book or short stories for secondary school) with you, just in
case you need a sponge activity.
3. Bring something that is uniquely you to set the tone for the day (an instrument or a
favourite item).
4. Keep a toy or a ball in your bag to help with classroom management. For example, you can
use it as a speaking/turn-taking tool and for other games.
5. Have an umbrella/waterproof layer in case you have to supervise a West Coast Recess!
Arriving at the school
6. Learn the name of an office staff member when you visit a school for the first time.
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7. Show up as early as possible in case you have before-school responsibilities.

8. Make friends with a janitorthey have keys to open EVERYTHING!
In the classroom
9. Take attendance by asking everyone a silly question about themselves (favourite animal,
last movie they saw, favourite food, etc.).
10. Learn a few PE games that you can play with minimal (or no) equipment/set-up.
11. Incorporate movement breaks into the day as a way to transition between activities.
12. Carry a whistle!
13. Dont let more than one student leave the room at a time, and keep track of who leaves.

Call-out on workshops
This section of the Dispatch is designed to
highlight relevant BCTF professional
development workshops. Not only are these
workshops interesting and practical, but theyre
also free, and whats better than free? These
workshops can be booked by a group of TTOCs
for a professional development day, or by the
local association as one of the four School
Union Representative Training days (SURTs).
Talk to your Local President and the Local PD
Chair about your options for booking a BCTF
workshop.
The workshop featured in this issue is Classroom Management for TTOCs:
TTOCs must establish rapport with students quickly and use management strategies that
work immediately. The workshop will explore the basics of classroom management and
how TTOCs can adapt them for their work. Practical strategies for creating a positive
environment and taking constructive action with individual students will be explored.
This workshop can run any time throughout the school year, and is highly recommended for
any local interested in increasing engagement with our TTOCs members. To book this great
workshop, fill out the workshop request form and fax to 604-871-2286, or contact Jenny Garrels
(jgarrels@bctf.ca, 604-871-1871).

Important health and safety information

The Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OH&SR)
are designed to protect workers by preventing workplace injury and disease. Teachers teaching
on call are entitled to the full protection of the act and the OH&SR. However, such rights are
hollow unless they are fully exercised.
Each worker has four basic health and safety rights:
The Right to KnowThe right to know what hazards exist in the workplace. This includes
all physical and mental hazards.
The Right to ParticipateThe right to participate in Occupational Health and Safety
activities through the joint Health and Safety Committee.
The Right to RefuseThe right to refuse unsafe work.
The Right to No DiscriminationThe right to be free from
reprisal for refusing unsafe work or contacting the Workers
Compensation Board (WCB).
www.worksafebc.com
www.worksafebc.com/forms/assets/PDF/6A.pdf
Contact your local association office for more information.

Ask Ms. Subbie

Introducing Ms. Subbie, your go-to column for TTOC advice. Each
issue of BCTF Dispatch will feature questions from TTOCs, asking for
advice on everything from lesson plans to fire drills. If you have a
question, email Ms. Subbie at subbie@bctf.ca.
Dear Ms. Subbie,
Recently, when I went to TTOC at a local school the front office staff
said there were no keys left. I thought this would be a bit difficult for
my day, but she let me into the classroom. As she was about to go, I
asked, What if theres a lockdown? She smiled and said, Theres no lockdown drill scheduled
today; youll be okay. But what if it wasnt a drill?
Knocking earnestly,
Locked Out Craving Keys
Dear LOCK,
Keys are a vital part of your everyday teaching life. You need them to secure your room, access
the washroom, the equipment room in the gym, and generally participate and have equitable
access to school facilities. Not having a key is also a health and safety issue. In the event of a
lockdown you need to be able to secure your room to keep you and your students safe. In the
event of a real lockdown, we cant expect school office staff or administrators to run around the
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school securing classroom doors. If you are refused a key by the office staff, raise the issue with
the administrator and a union representative in the school. Consider contacting your Local
President to let them know you have been denied a key.
I hope this opens some doors for you.
Ms. Subbie
Dear Ms. Subbie,
I feel like Im always at work, even when Im not. I teach on call, but I also work at the local pool
as a lifeguard to pay the bills. I'm super stressed out about money and work, but I don't have
benefits and I dont have time to go to a counsellor. I need a stress leave, but I cant afford the
time away from work. HELP!
Groggily,
Gurgling and Sinking Perpetually
Dear GASP,
Youre not alone. Unfortunately, many new teachers have to burn the candle at both ends
because of lack of work and unfair hiring practices. As a BCTF member, you do have access to
www.starlingminds.com, a confidential, web-based mental health service, specifically designed
for teachers. Also, remember your Local President and your TTOC representativetheyre
there to help all BCTF members, including TTOCs. The BCTF also has workshops around
managing stress and work-life balance, which can be booked through your local association
office.
And remember, keep on swimming.
Ms. Subbie

Meet your Teachers Teaching on Call Advisory Committee (TTOCAC)

Back row (L to R): Wendy Fontaine (Peace River South), Amanda Long (Coquitlam), Brett Jasch
(Vancouver Island North), Mark Morrison (Saanich), Hilaire Ford (Maple Ridge). Front Row (L to R): Robin
Tosczak (Victoria), Lynn Patterson (Cariboo-Chilcotin), Carole Berube (North Okanagan-Shuswap), Gail
Chaddock Costello (Executive Committee representative). Missing: Colin Bailey (Alberni District).

TTOCAC members attend zone meetings and liaise with the TTOC representatives in
their zones.
Zone
Kootenay
Metro Fraser Valley
Metro West
North Central/Peace River
North Coast
Okanagan
Vancouver Island North
Vancouver Island South

Contact
Lynn Patterson, gorebayer@hotmail.com
Hilaire Ford, hford@bctf.ca
Amanda Long, along@bctf.ca
Wendy Fontaine, wfontaine@bctf.ca
Brett Jasch, bjasch@bctf.ca
Carole Berube, cberube@bctf.ca
Colin Bailey, cbailey@bctf.ca
Robin Tosczak, rtosczak@bctf.ca

Jenny Garrels
Assistant Director
Professional and Social Issues Division
British Columbia Teachers' Federation
100-550 West 6th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2
604-871-1871
jgarrels@bctf.ca