Recruitment, retention of teachers remain focus for NBTA

The average New Brunswick teacher is closer to retirement than the beginning of their career.

And that’s part of why the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association remains focused on recruitment and retention.

NBTA president Heidi Ryder spoke to the media this week ahead of the union’s AGM.

Ryder said within five years, a quarter of teachers in New Brunswick’s anglophone sector are likely to retire.

“That just makes it even more essential that more educators are entering the system and staying in the system,” she said.

Ryder said the first five years for a new teacher are the most critical.

“Five years is when we’re looking them,” she said.

“If we can really work to build mentorship, to keep teachers in the system, that’s really a priority.”

Ryder added there’s always work being done with the NBTA’s partners, whether it’s universities or government or other groups in the province.

“Those will be ongoing conversations with all our partners about how do we best prepare students and then how do we keep them once we’ve got them in the system,” she said.

Along with retention and recruitment efforts, the province will implement a new education plan for anglophone districts in the next school year.

“So lots of priorities that are foundational building that stronger, more innovative public education system that we want to see in New Brunswick,” Ryder said.

Ryder said the system needs to support teachers effectively.

“The benefits are clear,” she said. “Improve student outcomes, stronger engagement and a more sustainable teaching profession.”