If you told me I’d be discussing Teacher Advocacy in Canada with the Prime Minister last week, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet, last week was nothing short of a whirlwind.
As I was making dinner on Tuesday evening, my husband checked the Madly Learning inbox. To our shock, he found an email from the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada. The email invited me to join the Prime Minister on November 22 at an undisclosed location in Brampton. At first, we assumed it was a scam, just another dubious message like so many others. But after some quick Googling, we confirmed the sender was indeed part of the Prime Minister’s media team. Stunned, excited, and slightly overwhelmed, we replied with a “yes.”
At that moment, I didn’t know what to expect. Was this a formal gesture, a publicity event? Regardless, I saw it as an opportunity to represent teachers and amplify their voices in a space where we’re often unheard. This was my chance to improve teacher advocacy in Canada! Education may not fall directly under the Prime Minister’s jurisdiction, but he sits at tables where critical decisions are made. If I could share even a sliver of the struggles faced by teachers, classrooms, and students, I wasn’t going to miss the chance. Thanks to this community, you’ve given me a platform to speak on your behalf, and I take that responsibility seriously.
Over the week, more details unfolded. To my surprise, this wasn’t just a press conference—it included a 25-minute roundtable discussion with the Prime Minister and five other teachers. This was a rare chance to discuss the pressing challenges Canadian educators face, highlighting the importance of Teacher Advocacy in Canada.
Time to Meet the Prime Minister
On Friday morning, my husband drove me to Brampton. Arriving early, we were met with a sea of media vans and tight security around the school. He waited outside while I entered, unsure of what lay ahead. Inside, I was greeted by the Prime Minister’s team and introduced to the other teachers. Some of them were familiar faces I’d followed on social media, and it was wonderful to meet them in person.
As the press conference began, we stood off to the side in a carefully staged classroom. The room was immaculate, set up for cameras, with our positions marked to ensure perfect angles. The speeches focused on school nutrition programs—a topic close to my heart, as many of my students rely on our school’s snack program to supplement their lunches.
Afterward, we were led into another room for the roundtable discussion. Stools were arranged in a circle, and we were asked to set aside our phones as the entire session was filmed. When the Prime Minister joined us, he greeted us warmly, thanked us for coming, and started the conversation by acknowledging our work in building teacher communities on social media.
The discussion was natural and engaging. We talked about how teachers support one another, the importance of sharing resources, and the struggles schools face in accessing adequate funding. We highlighted the ongoing challenges in classrooms, especially in the wake of the pandemic. To my surprise, the Prime Minister was genuine, empathetic, and well-prepared. He knew who we were and listened thoughtfully.
Teacher Advocacy in Canada Moving Forward
Regardless of anyone’s opinion on his politics or his effectiveness as Prime Minister, I still respect the office and the immense responsibility of the role. Meeting with him was a reminder of the importance of showing up, speaking up, and being part of the conversation.
I’m realistic enough to know this meeting won’t instantly change the daily reality for teachers. But I’m grateful for the opportunity to be heard. And who knows—some of the Prime Minister’s team are now following Madly Learning. I’ll continue to use this platform to express teacher advocacy in Canada for you because your stories matter.
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