By Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo school district ready after influx of new teachers

Aug 31, 2017 | 6:56 PM

NANAIMO — There will be more than 100 new faces in Nanaimo and Ladysmith classrooms in the fall.

After a Supreme Court of Canada ruling, funding was available for new teachers across the province to help with class size relating to students with special needs.

This means 103 new teachers are in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District and classroom sizes in the upcoming year are smaller since there’s more classes. Dale Burgos, communications director with the district, says most of the new classrooms are in elementary schools.

While other school districts have struggled to fill the numerous positions in a short amount of time, Burgos said the district went on a six-month hiring spree and all their positions are filled.

Justin Mark, vice-principal and teacher at Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary in Nanaimo, said the large amount of teachers is a great win for students and staff.

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“Anytime you add a teacher you add an education professional, who might’ve come out of university with new ideas. It’s a net win and I think it’s an exciting time for teaching right now.”

He said teachers can now focus more attention on students with special needs and make sure they thrive in the school environment.

“For students who are identified with special learning needs, with a limit of two students per classroom we’re really able to focus on them and pay more attention to their needs and the needs of all our students.”

Mark said everything will be in place for the start of the school year on Tuesday, Sept. 5

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit