The new school year has been an unsettling one for some students at Millstream Elementary School in Langford, who have had no permanent teacher assigned to their French immersion class.
For six weeks, one class of Grade 4 and 5 students, has been supported by a handful of substitute teachers, while the Sooke School District searches for a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy. The school district says they have been aware of the vacancy since late August, but despite "proactive efforts", the role has remained unfilled.
"Never have I ever experienced a situation like this where we literally don't have a teacher,” said a parent, whose 10-year-old son has been in French immersion since kindergarten.
Hopes were recently dashed when an external candidate who had accepted the full-time role, withdrew the day before stepping into the teaching position, which only added to parents' frustrations.
The lack of consistency and connection with a teacher has left some children experiencing anxiety say the parents.
"My child is generally happy and engaging," said one parent of a Grade 5 student. "They love school, seeing their friends, learning, and connecting with their teacher. This school year, for the first time ever, we are hearing them say they don’t want to go to school. We are noticing significant spikes in anxiety at home accompanied by big mood swings and big behaviours, and a lot of need for closeness.”
In an update sent to parents and guardians on Oct. 10, the Sooke School District said the current 'Teacher Teaching On Call', has agreed to remain with the class until a permanent French immersion teacher is secured.
“This will provide stability to the classroom,” said David Strange, associate superintendent, in the letter.
The district has also told parents the class will receive French language support during the week from the school's French immersion learning support teacher.
“While we are committed to delivering the curriculum with as much French instruction as possible, our top priority remains securing a qualified French immersion teacher as quickly as possible,” said a spokesperson for the school district in a statement to Goldstream News Gazette.
While grateful for the stability, parents say they are concerned the lack of a French immersion specialist will have a long-term impact on their child's educational development.
“Everything about this feels wrong and upsetting,” said a parent. “How are they preparing kids for French immersion middle school? Middle school is a different kettle of fish … they're going to be very ill-prepared.”
“My child will be transferring to Ecole John Stubbs next year, and we are expecting this major transition to bring an anxiety spike on its own,” said another parent. “Coupling it with lagging skills due to lack of French education makes it [the transition] feel bigger.”
The position at Millstream has been advertised again as both full-time and part-time, with the school district funding a signing bonus and relocation assistance for the vacancy.
But according to the school district, there is a "competitive demand" for qualified French Immersion teachers, because of a nationwide shortage.
“To address this, we are actively conducting targeted recruitment efforts, including outreach to 19 universities with French immersion programs,” said a spokesperson for the district. “We are doing everything within our control to fill this vacancy and sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of parents as we work toward a solution.”
