Achi news desk-
A school teacher who participated in the Quebec version of the reality show “Survival” took time off work to be a contestant, is now out of a job.
Quebec Survival is not so different from the original American series – 20 local participants fight to be the last survivor on a tropical island by trying not to be rescued by teammates.
Deborah de Bricklear holds her own during the second season, but she happens to be a teacher at an elementary school in Saint-Hyacinthe and she was fired for unauthorized leave — too bad, according to the teachers’ union.
“It sends the message … that if you’re working as a teacher, forget about it. About any experience you’ll have during the school year,” said union president Patrick Therow.
The union says de Bricklear did find substitute teachers to cover her two-month leave, but the Center de services scolaire de Saint-Hyacinthe never approved her plan and so fired the 39-year-old for insubordination.
At St-Hyacinthe, people are divided on the decision, with some arguing that her role should have come first but firing her was a bit difficult, especially given the show’s visibility.
Actually, there is another teacher in the program. Gwladys Breault works at Collège de Montreal, a private high school in Montreal. This not only kept her on the staff, but promoted her achievements among the students.
“If I may say so, they’re using her as a model,” Theroux said.
But if one has become a model, says the union leader, De Braeclair is made to serve as an example. School staff would not comment on the situation and asked CTV News to leave.
The school’s service center now says that De Braeclair is free to continue teaching but as a substitute teacher.
