Great teaching has never been basic
Instead of debating whether schools should return to basics that never went away, we should be talking about the real challenges facing BC schools: staffing shortages, increasingly complex classrooms, and an inclusive education funding gap of more than $300 million.
The “basics” are just the beginning
Ask a teacher what makes them most proud, and they’ll tell you about their students’ triumphs.
It could be the student who finally understands fractions after weeks of struggling. The quiet kid who finds their voice performing in the school concert. Or the student who, for the first time, feels that school is somewhere they belong.
Behind each of these moments is a skilled professional who brings expertise, creativity, and care to their classroom every day.
During the recent BC election campaign, some politicians called for schools to get “back to basics.”
But teachers never stopped teaching reading, writing, or math.
“When I hear politicians talking about getting ‘back to basics,’ I think, when did we ever leave the basics?” said Janine Fraser, President of the BC Primary Teachers’ Association.
“The primary years are all about the basics and more than just that — they’re about becoming a human being who cares about others, and makes friends, and is happy.”
Teachers know that strong foundations matter. But great teaching has never been basic.
That’s the message behind Beyond the Basics, a new BCTF campaign celebrating the expertise and extraordinary work of teachers across the province.
Through different subjects and specialties, we’ll explore what great teaching looks like, and how every discipline contributes to what students know and who they become.
For Kevin Dent, President of the BC Association of Mathematics Teachers, a strong math education is about more than memorizing formulas. It’s about developing a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, making sense of the world, and developing perseverance to overcome challenges.
“Math matters because it’s a way to see the world, it’s a way to interpret what’s going on," he said.
Janet Irvine, President of the BC Music Educators’ Association, challenges the idea that music is somehow “extra.”
“Music is so fundamental and it is so incredibly entwined with human experience and the way we learn. Even the way that we learn the alphabet is through a song,” Irvine said.
Music education brings together literacy, numeracy, creativity, and collaboration. For some students, it’s where they discover a talent, build confidence, or find a sense of belonging, she added.
Even the way that we learn the alphabet is through a song. – Janet Irvine, BC Music Educators' Association President
Safe, supported, and successful
Great teaching goes beyond the basics because student success goes beyond just test scores.
Teachers know that success looks different for every student. It might mean acing a test, finding the confidence to speak up in class, or making a friend. For students facing significant barriers, it might mean finding the support they need to simply show up.
But to succeed, students first need to feel safe and supported.
That means being welcomed and accepted for who they are, having access to specialized support, and opportunities to discover their strengths.
Teachers need the resources to make that possible.
Instead of debating whether schools should return to basics that never went away, we should be talking about the real challenges facing BC schools: staffing shortages, increasingly complex classrooms, and an inclusive education funding gap of more than $300 million.
We need more teachers, more specialist educators, and more classroom supports. And we need to trust teachers as the professionals who know their students and understand how they learn.
Let’s celebrate what teachers really teach — share your own stories
Beyond the Basics will share stories from classrooms across BC, celebrating the expertise, passion, and creativity teachers bring to every discipline.
We want to hear from you, too. What’s something you wish more people understood about your teaching? Is there a colleague whose work deserves recognition?
If you have a story to share, email Amy Smart, Assistant Director, Media and Public Relations, at asmart@bctf.ca.
Because every subject matters, every student deserves the opportunity to succeed — and the basics are just the beginning.
