A retired teacher emailed me and said she found this blog to be extremely informative. She asked her union to put a link to the blog on its website. She thinks that other teachers will not only appreciate the opportunity to learn what is happening in other districts and states, but will find moral support and encouragement in our discussions.
It is no accident that I constantly remind teachers how valuable they are. With all the negativity today in the media and coming from politicians, there must be a place you can turn that appreciates what teachers do for our children and our society and how hard the work is.
When I spoke at the AFT convention in Detroit, I told friends beforehand that I had three goals: 1) to tell the truth, as I saw it; 2) to make teachers feel good about the work they do; and 3) to rock the house. In the warm response that I got–three standing ovations– I think I did all three. And I felt the love.
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Spread the word.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I don’t think a morning goes by when I open up my Facebook page and see how many of your posts are up on pages supporting public schools and public school teachers. The teacher that wrote you may not belong to Facebook. The best thing she can do is email your link to all her friends and colleagues.
I hardly go to my union’s blog because I don’t trust what is published. The last 2 times I was on Edwize (the UFT blog) Leo wrote why VAM was a good thing. The other was a very strange post putting down the NYS principals who signed the petition against the new evaluation system. Now I hear that since the convention Randi is saying she is open to most reforms except vouchers. My friend at EdNotes always says, “It’s not what they say, it’s what they do!”. I so want to trust the other speeches that were made at the AFT convention. I want to trust that Joe Biden will report the protest he received from many teachers. I want to trust that Karen Lewis gets the support she so-well deserves. (Btw, I just checked, and Edwize only links “Bridging Differences”).
But the one thing I can trust is this page. I said this to you before, and I will say it again. The media reads this blog every day. It’s no coincidence the title that was used in the latest NYTimes editorial came from the words you spoke. It’s no coincidence that Michael Winerip is no longer an education reporter at the NYTimes. It’s no coincidence that Pearson is now in charge of teacher certification in NYS (without a peep of criticism from Mulgrew).
Diane Ravitch—you are our hero!!
Thank you!!
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Thank you. I am humbled by your words.
When I read what Biden said at the AFT convention, I was tempted to write a post about it.
He talked about how the Republicans were saying terrible things about teachers, and I wondered if he had heard about Race to the Top; if he had heard about how teachers have been massively demoralized since 2009 (when Republicans were not in power); and he knows that his own brother is involved in a for-profit charter chain in Florida.
But since I fear Romney even more than the status quo, I decided not to.
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Dear Diane,
I meant every single word.
I understand your concern about the election, but is not talking about RTTT a good move? I have read reports about Duncan’s new education plan that calls for increased class sizes. I think the Democrats (including Obama) know they have public school teachers between a rock and a hard place. Yet, the Chicago teachers took a stand. They called out RTTT and did it in front of Biden. Every article I have read on both Romney’s and Obama’s education agenda show more similarities than differences. Even Jeb Bush said he was proud of Obama’s education policies.
I have also seen many other groups that have leaned on Obama cause him to change policy while teachers remain silent. We also know the White House got involved when the Chicago teachers didn’t back down. First with Axelrod trying to disparage teachers by having his friends mount negative ads. That didn’t work. Wasn’t that a wake up call for all of us to continue this fight after that major “blink”. The WH couldn’t afford a strike in Obama’s home town, and so an agreement was reached.
We know what 4 more years of RTTT and Arnie Duncan will do for public education and public school teachers. We have a precious few months to make a great deal of difference. I know I will continue to put pressure on this administration, but I also know without the numbers behind me I am fighting an uphill battle. And the next 4 years will be even worse for public schools under Obama even if “other” policies are better.
I do hope you will reconsider posting on this topic.
Schoolgal
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We love how often you spread it! 🙂 (no, really)
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Your constant vigil of the events on the education stage is most appreciated. There are several bloggers and several facebook pages I try to follow everyday. Yours is one. I comment when I feel I can make a contribution or just share my feelings on the topic. I share them as well. As my cousin’s youngest daughter says, “Stay pumped!” Pass it on! 🙂
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