OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation

680 Industrial Road, London, Ontario, N5V 1V1
Phone: (519) 659-6588; Fax: (519) 659-2421; Email: osstf11@execulink.com

Last night when I sat down to watch television, the first image I saw was that of an intersection being marked off with police tape for the investigation of the murder of a young man.  After flipping through the channels, and being presented with similar images time after time, it occurred to me that on a daily basis we are bombarded with images of uncaring, immoral individuals.  Media programs such as the evening news and all those exploitive reality TV shows rarely ever deliver positive stories about people who work diligently to protect and perfect our society; rather such programs often give the citizens of Ontario the idea that there are no good people left in the world.  However, once in a while we are blessed to meet and interact with individuals who, through their own caring nature, are able to give us a whole new outlook on various aspects of life.

During the weekend of March 10th-13th, I was more than privileged to attend the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Assembly for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers� Federation, where I met and witnessed some of the world�s most caring individuals in action.  While being at A.M.P.A. I watched hundreds of teachers and education workers deliberate for hours on many issues and pass many motions.  However, what stood out most in my mind was that these individuals were rarely ever deliberating for their own personal interests, but rather, they were mediating for the best interests of the students of Ontario.

There were many highlights of the A.M.P.A weekend, but as a first time attendee, I must say that I was more than impressed with the overall organization of the assembly.  From the moment I got there till the moment I left, everything ran smoothly and I was treated most hospitably.  In addition, I was delighted that I had the opportunity to learn about the Aboriginal Summer Literacy Camps, for the promotion of literacy; O.S.S.T.F. passed a motion to fully fund one of the camps.  I was also pleased with the wealth of teaching information that was made available to me and all who attended.  However, the highlight among all highlights of my weekend at A.M.P.A. was the joy that I found in watching some of the most talented students in Ontario receive Marion Drysdale awards for their academic achievements.  During this portion of the annual assembly we were able to witness outstanding poetry, artwork, short stories and even a media presentation, that were true testaments to the fact that if our students receive the support they need, they can achieve great things. 

My first A.M.P.A. experience was far too wonderful to be efficiently illustrated in this article.  Nonetheless, for the record it must be stated that, from what I witnessed at A.M.P.A. 2006, the members of O.S.S.T.F. not only recite their motto, and use it as catchy letterhead, but they live by it!