A reader says:
My heart is sad for the kids and teachers in Chicago. Still, I’m hoping that something good comes of the strike – not just for teachers and kids but in our national conversation about education (or lack thereof). We need people, lots of them, to start talking about, voting for, and demanding that, as a nation, we commit ourselves (in word and deed) to a system of free, just, and forward minded public education – not testing, privatization schemes, or crazy accountability schemes that take the focus off of what really matters. We need real education – context specific, developmentally appropriate, child focused, forward thinking teaching and learning in every corner of this country that is full of professional educators, rich curriculum, and even richer experiences, community engagement, and family participation. If anyone thinks this strike is just another union “ploy” for higher pay or less “working time” they are sorely mistaken. And while workers should be entitled to protect their rights, the CPS strike is about the heart and soul of public schooling, the deprofessionalization of teachers, and the ways that the education “crisis” nation wide has been co-opted as a means of pushing privatization as the be-all-and-end-all solution to the “achievement gap”. Schools are not businesses, children are not widgets, and teachers are not robots or machines. Let’s start there. |
And this from a CPS teacher: “Why I’m striking, JCB” http://chiteacherx.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-im-striking-jcb.html
Why not have ALL unions support
CPS by not working on 9-10-12!
If every public school t’r went
out in solidarity with CPS
that would send a STRONG message.
I will wear red for ed.
Sure support the greedy union. They are still against evaluations and merit based raises. Do you know of any other profession where after only a handful of years you can essentially mail it in and not worry about getting fired?!!! It costs millions of dollars to try to fire a tenured teacher. Sure that’s whats best for kids! Wake up people!
You are saying that teachers “mail it in”? Where does that happen?
Do you have evidence? A source? Or are you spouting envy towards people who have a pension and benefits?
Try teaching. Do it. See how easy it is.
GREAT VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMUboOIQT48
All should watch and incorporate some version of the parent’s points. Good find!!
I was divorced for many years. I had sole custody of my children. Each time their father withheld money or neglected them or said something to them that demeaned me, I turned the other cheek. I did this again and again and again. It was always for “the good of the kids.” Don’t make a big deal, I was told. Until one day I could take it no longer. I had to swallow my self concept as a mother who put her children first- who continued to “turn the other cheek.”
Every time I learn about a teacher’s strike I understand exactly what has brought them to this point and why it has not been an easy decision. That’s why I’m wearing red today. I stand in proud support of people who have decided to put their children first by no longer “turning the other cheek.”
I wish there was some sort of chatroom or something on this site. I’ve been cruising some articles online, and they are abuzz with negative comments about us “lazy” teachers.
To go Drudge, click story links on the top of the page, and fight back with me! 🙂