New BrunswickEducators say the uptick in escalated behaviour teachers are facing in the classroom can impact recruitment and retention.Education minister confident plan will address teacher shortage, challenging working conditionsSavannah Awde · CBC News · Posted: Dec 11, 2025 4:02 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Education Minister Claire Johnson issued a plan on Thursday aimed at retaining and recruiting teachers, as the province faces a shortage. (Ian Curran/CBC )Educators say safety and challenging behaviour in classrooms is a key issue for teachers, but the province’s new plan to grow the workforce doesn’t mention it.Education Minister Claire Johnson released a teacher recruitment and retention strategy on Thursday, which is meant to address the current shortage – projected to grow in the coming years as more teachers retire.It sets out short- and medium-term goals, to be completed within one and three years, respectively, and long-term goals, which don’t have timelines attached. The goals range from using data to decide how resources are allocated across schools, to introducing a mentorship program, and expanding education options for people interested in becoming teachers.WATCH | ‘Expectations have changed over the years,’ says ASD-W superintendent:‘Data-driven approach’ leading new teacher recruitment strategyThe Department of Education is planning to retain and recruit teachers by allocating resources based on student needs.”We’re very confident that this strategic plan is going to stick, because it was done in collaboration with our partners,” Johnson told reporters in Fredericton. “I would dare to venture that what makes this one different is that everybody recognizes a need for this right now. This is top of mind for everyone.”Growing safety issuesBut the plan doesn’t mention the growing safety issues in classrooms, New Brunswick Teachers’ Association president Heidi Ryder said.“Health and safety pieces, or classroom complexity, those will be things that are further conversations,” she said. New Brunswick Teachers’ Association president Heidi Ryder said she will be pushing for faster implementation on parts of the plan. (Ian Curran/CBC)“I think we see societally, escalating behaviours, and those appear in our classrooms more and more,” Ryder said. “So things like tracking those incidents and then really putting the resources and supports in place, that will really help teachers.”Anglophone West School District superintendent David McTimoney said behaviours that pose safety issues also have an impact on the retention of teachers.“There’s no question that that would be among, if not the biggest challenge that teachers would face,” McTimoney said.Anglophone West School District superintendent David McTimoney said classroom safety is important for retaining teachers. (Ian Curran/CBC)“It’s a big part of what a potential teacher would be thinking about, in terms of deciding where they want to work, and what they want to do for a living.”Johnson said the issue is a priority, even if not explicitly included in the plan.”We do recognize that the classroom has changed, and that some students have very complex needs,” she said. “That’s absolutely in our priorities, is to make sure that we’re stabilizing the classrooms and that the teachers have the resources that they need to handle the changing needs and requirements of the classroom.”The strategy doesn’t mention educational assistants, but Ryder said their availability to teachers also matters for retention.”Teachers cannot do this job alone, and we’ve always been very clear about that,” she said. Overall, Ryder said she’s hopeful about the plan, but will be pushing the province to implement some things faster.”There are a lot of issues that teachers need help with right now,” she said.ABOUT THE AUTHORSavannah Awde is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick. You can contact her with story ideas at savannah.awde@cbc.ca.
N.B. plan to retain teachers doesnt address classroom safety concerns, association says
