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.

91裸聊视频淭his is why I have been nervous since school started. Teachers are in a no-win position on this,91裸聊视频� Bauhart said.

91裸聊视频淚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.91裸聊视频�

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 Teachers91裸聊视频� 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 they91裸聊视频檝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 doesn91裸聊视频檛 dictate how teachers carry out those policies in the classroom.

91裸聊视频淚t would be inappropriate if a teacher told a student to get a vaccine,91裸聊视频� Kaardal said.

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

91裸聊视频淗ow they do it, what methods or what resources they use is really their choice,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淭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,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淚f you are still not happy with the outcome at that stage, then come before the board,91裸聊视频� Baxter said.

Bauhart agrees with Baxter91裸聊视频檚 reasoning to follow the process, as it protects both the interests of the parents and the teacher.

91裸聊视频淭hose processes are defined and it is my job in part to ensure those processes are followed from the teacher91裸聊视频檚 perspective,91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频渁 powderkeg91裸聊视频� in the classroom for teachers to face, noting the hardline approaches of both sides currently on the vaccine debate.

91裸聊视频淭eachers have the best interests of their students at heart. We are not coming to school to put kids in danger,91裸聊视频� Bauhart said.

91裸聊视频淭eachers are definitely working every day to keep kids safe. They are nervous for themselves, and for the kids.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频搉o masks, no cohorts, a return of extra-curricular activities.

91裸聊视频淭he sad part is everybody honestly felt for (the 2021-22) school year we91裸聊视频檇 be in a whole different position than we were the previous year,91裸聊视频� she lamented.

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