Many educators in Alberta are contemplating leaving their positions due to growing frustration with the provincial government's recent actions regarding education. Curtis Fong, a teacher in Calgary, first considered resigning while watching a legislative assembly session on October 27. During this session, lawmakers debated a bill that would mandate teachers to return to work. Notably, Premier Danielle Smith was absent, as she was traveling to Saudi Arabia to promote Alberta's energy and technology sectors. Fong expressed his dismay, stating, "It was clear that there was a callousness. This is a violation of collective rights, and the individual, ostensibly said to lead us, does not care enough to even be present."

Fong, who has dedicated 13 years to teaching, described the thought of leaving as filled with "immense grief." He feels that his efforts in education are not aligned with the province's priorities. "The value I bring to this profession and to children and learning is not shared," he said. He is actively seeking alternative employment and hopes to leave the profession before the school year ends.

Other teachers share similar sentiments. Jason Schilling, president of the teachers' union, noted that many educators are understandably angry with the government. He said, "Teachers are so justifiably angry with the government to go back into their classrooms with the same conditions that they had leading up to this strike."

Daniel, a high school teacher in the Calgary Catholic School District, is considering moving to one of three provinces: Manitoba, New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia. He and his wife, who also works in education, are in the process of narrowing down their options. Daniel has lived in Alberta for over a decade and has raised his daughter there. He initially expressed a desire to leave over a year ago, but his wife was hesitant. However, after the recent legislative actions, she changed her mind, stating, "I’m done."

Another teacher from rural northeast Calgary expressed a willingness to accept a pay cut to work in another province. He stated, "With conditions as they are in Alberta and how we’ve been treated as second-class citizens by the government, I honestly find it very difficult to consider a long-term future for myself or for my kids."

Melissa Stevenson, a teacher in Calgary, mentioned that her husband is looking for work in British Columbia. She plans to follow him once he secures a job. Stevenson expressed concern about the current state of education in Alberta, saying, "(Alberta) no longer feels like the province it once was. We are setting our children up for failure."

Teachers are feeling overwhelmed, with many classrooms experiencing high student-to-teacher ratios. Stevenson noted that her school has only four English as an Additional Language assistants for 680 students, most of whom are English language learners. She described the situation as "not sustainable."

The emotional toll on teachers is evident. Daniel described the atmosphere upon returning to school after the strike as somber, with staff members exchanging glances of concern. "There are no smiles in our staff room," he said. "It’s a lot of people looking at each other and asking, ‘how are you doing?’"

Fong mentioned that during a recent staff meeting, a principal offered to write letters of reference for teachers seeking new jobs, highlighting the low morale among educators. He plans to resign by next September, stating, "It doesn’t feel right to begin a school year when you’re actively trying to leave."

The challenges faced by teachers extend beyond administrative issues. Many are tasked with teaching multiple subjects and managing diverse classroom needs. One teacher in Canmore shared that he had to teach 14 different subjects in a single year, which he found overwhelming.

As the situation continues to evolve, the education ministry has not reported any significant resignations among teachers. However, the ongoing discontent among educators raises questions about the future of teaching in Alberta and the potential impact on students.

Fong and his colleagues remain committed to their students, despite the challenges. "Teaching is about self-sacrifice and it’s about caring about other kids," he said. The uncertainty surrounding their profession weighs heavily on them as they navigate these difficult times.