Mike Thomas, a teacher and first vice president of the Thames Valley Teacher Local, has been elected to the provincial Executive of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

“Unfilled vacancies, continual attacks on members’ professionalism, and a lack of appropriate student supports are causing educators an immeasurable amount of stress,” says Thomas. “Our priority needs to be to actively mobilize every ETFO member to ensure real change – for our workplaces, within our organization, and to strengthen the values that we hold true for public education in Ontario.”

Thomas began his teaching career in 2001 after graduating from University of Western Ontario with a bachelor of education. He is a strong advocate for worker health and safety, and has advocated its advancement within ETFO and the Thames Valley District School Board.

Before becoming first vice president of the Thames Valley Teacher Local in 2015, he was a workplace steward, non-released executive, recording secretary, vice president, chief negotiator, and grievance officer. From 2005 to 2011 and 2015 to present, he has served as the chair of his local’s Standing Health and Safety Committee.

At the provincial level, Thomas has been involved in Representative Council as a delegate, and member of the steering, budget and central table bargaining advisory committees. He has served as a member of the ETFO Human Rights Standing Committee, and attended 18 ETFO Annual Meetings as a delegate.

ETFO represents approximately 83,000 members, including public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, designated early childhood educators, education support personnel, and professional support personnel. Visit BuildingBetterSchools.ca.