Susan Bauhart knew it was coming.

As Bauhart, president of the Central Okanagan Teachers Association, sat down in the public gallery for the Sept. 15, meeting of the Central Okanagan Board of Education, she was encircled by parents who she knew were prepared to speak out about how COVID-19 public health policies being addressed in the classroom.

香蕉视频直播淭his is why I have been nervous since school started. Teachers are in a no-win position on this,香蕉视频直播� Bauhart said.

香蕉视频直播淚t is a tricky road to navigate for teachers as kids do ask questions about COVID and you feel obligated to respond because you are trying to build relationships with your students.香蕉视频直播�

But Bauhart says the challenge is when kids go home and relay what was talked about, how that is related and received can lead to annoyed parents on both sides of the divisive COVID-19 vaccine debate.

She said teachers have no specific direction from the BC Teachers香蕉视频直播� Federation on how to address COVID issues to students in the classroom, while Central Okanagan Public Schools set district-wide policies that teachers are expected to follow, but have the autonomy as to how that is done in the classroom.

READ MORE: Patient says Kelowna hospital wrong target for anti-vaccine card wrath

A trio of parents spoke at the Central Okanagan Board of Education meeting, voicing anecdotal accusations of teachers creating a discriminatory atmosphere in schools between students who are vaccinated and those who are not, and unchecked peer pressure imposed on students within the school environment.

They also cited examples they香蕉视频直播檝e heard about inappropriate language expressed by teachers to influence students to get vaccinated.

One of the parents asked directly if a directive has been issued to teachers on how specifically they are to speak with students about COVID.

Kevin Kaardal, superintendent/CEO of Central Okanagan Public Schools, responded the school district has clear inclusive philosophy policies that are to be followed by all public schools, but it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 dictate how teachers carry out those policies in the classroom.

香蕉视频直播淚t would be inappropriate if a teacher told a student to get a vaccine,香蕉视频直播� Kaardal said.

Bauhart acknowledged teachers have the responsibility to deliver a curriculum in the classroom.

香蕉视频直播淗ow they do it, what methods or what resources they use is really their choice,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Moyra Baxter, chair of the board of education, said the school board should not be the first stop for any parents with complaints about a teacher.

香蕉视频直播淭here is a process in place and we encourage all parents to follow that process on any issue they have concerns with about a teacher,香蕉视频直播� Baxter said.

Baxter said parents should first meet with the teacher, and if unsatisfied with that outcome then approach the school principal. Then the school district human resources administrators can get involved.

香蕉视频直播淚f you are still not happy with the outcome at that stage, then come before the board,香蕉视频直播� Baxter said.

Bauhart agrees with Baxter香蕉视频直播檚 reasoning to follow the process, as it protects both the interests of the parents and the teacher.

香蕉视频直播淭hose processes are defined and it is my job in part to ensure those processes are followed from the teacher香蕉视频直播檚 perspective,香蕉视频直播� she said.

She said not all teachers are supportive of the vaccine initiative for students age 12 and older either, so the advocacy concerns of what and how information is projected to students fall on both sides of the issue.

Bauhart acknowledged societal grievances that split communities can often become 香蕉视频直播渁 powderkeg香蕉视频直播� in the classroom for teachers to face, noting the hardline approaches of both sides currently on the vaccine debate.

香蕉视频直播淭eachers have the best interests of their students at heart. We are not coming to school to put kids in danger,香蕉视频直播� Bauhart said.

香蕉视频直播淭eachers are definitely working every day to keep kids safe. They are nervous for themselves, and for the kids.香蕉视频直播�

Bauhart said it is disheartening to be confronted by the COVID health crisis in schools in September when there was such optimism in June when summer vacation arrived that returning to school in the fall would be a return to normal 香蕉视频直播搉o masks, no cohorts, a return of extra-curricular activities.

香蕉视频直播淭he sad part is everybody honestly felt for (the 2021-22) school year we香蕉视频直播檇 be in a whole different position than we were the previous year,香蕉视频直播� she lamented.

READ MORE: Parents demand Peachland, Westside students need a seat on school bus

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