The bright young teacher Jason Trinh, over at Northern Secondary School, is an example to his profession. The way he had to get his current job is not. That’s because Jason (inset top) has had to wiggle past an oddly framed regulation to catch a full-time job at the venerable Mount Pleasant Rd. hall of learning. Regulation 274 was designed to prevent nepotism by principals and others in a position to hire. The story has been followed by the estimable Louise Brown, veteran education writer at the Toronto Star. No. 274 requires new hires to come from among the five candidates with the most seniority. It isn’t clear to most people how this straitjacket is supposed to maintain or enhance teaching standards. It might prevent nepotism but it can’t be the best way to do that. In fact, it might not prevent nepotism. In any case, the exemplary Trinh — named New Teacher of the Year in 2012 — just happened to be at Northern on a temporary assignment when that school’s well-liked principal Ron Felsen (inset centre) needed a quick fix for an unexpected vacancy in the science department. Regulation 274 permits principals to hire at their discretion if they have less than ten days to find a replacement. Felsen grabbed Trinh for the three sciences courses that needed a teacher. Back at the Legislature, MPP Lisa MacLeod (inset lower) has tried to get the regulation changed to merely prohibit favoritism and nepotism. The NDP and Liberals defeated the motion and the Education Minister, Liz Sanders, has asked two experts to study the regulation and report back. Louise Brown (subscription may be required)Bright new science teacher gets a hitch at NSS
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The bright young teacher Jason Trinh, over at Northern Secondary School, is an example to his profession. The way he had to get his current job is not. That’s because Jason (inset top) has had to wiggle past an oddly framed regulation to catch a full-time job at the venerable Mount Pleasant Rd. hall of learning. Regulation 274 was designed to prevent nepotism by principals and others in a position to hire. The story has been followed by the estimable Louise Brown, veteran education writer at the Toronto Star. No. 274 requires new hires to come from among the five candidates with the most seniority. It isn’t clear to most people how this straitjacket is supposed to maintain or enhance teaching standards. It might prevent nepotism but it can’t be the best way to do that. In fact, it might not prevent nepotism. In any case, the exemplary Trinh — named New Teacher of the Year in 2012 — just happened to be at Northern on a temporary assignment when that school’s well-liked principal Ron Felsen (inset centre) needed a quick fix for an unexpected vacancy in the science department. Regulation 274 permits principals to hire at their discretion if they have less than ten days to find a replacement. Felsen grabbed Trinh for the three sciences courses that needed a teacher. Back at the Legislature, MPP Lisa MacLeod (inset lower) has tried to get the regulation changed to merely prohibit favoritism and nepotism. The NDP and Liberals defeated the motion and the Education Minister, Liz Sanders, has asked two experts to study the regulation and report back. Louise Brown (subscription may be required)