This is a column written for U.S. News and World Report by an experienced journalist.
Yes, she understands what teachers are dealing with.
Thank you, Susan Milligan!
We can’t improve education if we don’t improve the conditions of teaching and learning.
It is hard to read the comments that follow this post or any other.
There are many people who seem to think that teachers are vastly overpaid, greedy, lazy, selfish, and incompetent. You have to wonder, who is going to enter this profession that commands so little respect? Who are these people who think that all teachers who want a decent middle-class standard of living should be fired?
I was on a radio show this morning and one of the eminent panelists said that Mayor Rahm Emanuel should relish the opportunity to fire 6,000 teachers. I don’t understand people who harbor such enmity in their hearts. Do they think it helps kids to fire their teachers? Do they have any evidence for their meanness of spirit as public policy?
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Did you see the political cartoon next to the article? Sigh.
But for what it’s worth, a lot of people do get it. There was a group protesting near the El station where I get on to go to work this morning and nearly every car driving by was honking and pedestrians were waving and coming up and talking to them. I was also part of the rally downtown Monday night and I saw a lot of support and no detractors.
Maybe (probably) I underestimate the level of ignorance in this country, but I still cling to the belief/hope that the naysayers are actually a much smaller group than they seem – they’re just amplified by their clamoring and the fact that the major media don’t give much spotlight to the other side. I guess the proof will be in the pudding of how much resistance this growing “reform” movement encounters as it bulldozes across the country.
Protestors? For or against the strike? I know I am continually correcting misunderstandings about the causes of the strike. These are thoughtful people (also friends, so they are less likely to swear at me) and they listen, but it would be hard for the average guy on the street to understand with the inaccurate media coverage.
Sent a response thanking the reporter and strongly supporting the Chicago teachers. Asking the public to get itself more educated on this critical issue for democracy.
6000 fired teachers will kill teacher unionism once and for all, so I’m not surprised one of your three assailants on radio relished the thought. This is an all-out war by the right-wing and the billionaires to subdue labor, wages, benefits, and the public sector for the next 50 years. A great collateral bonus will be all the assets captured from public schools by the private charters–budgets, buildings, grounds, books, computers, equipment, etc. With labor now crushed in the private sector after 30 years of attacks, the billionaires have turned to the pvt sector to finish the task. Diane, you, CTU, Karen Lewis, Leonie H, FAIRTEST, Debbie M, Rethinking Schls, the Zinn Project, GEM, the hero supt’sand other brave folks are standing in their way, Thermopylae again. I’d expect 4 assailants on the next media gig.
Right on, Susan Milligan, unfortunately there are many, many boneheads out there!
You know, I’m starting to wonder if all of this mess is just a giant “I’m-going-to-get-back-at-the-teacher-I-disliked-as-a kid.” scenario. Is misplaced anger driving the reform movement? Seriously. It’s the only thing that makes sense in my mind at this point. Fire 6,000 teachers? That’s not short sighted or anything…
Chicago has the Broad virus http://goo.gl/GKM2m
I am a Chicago Teacher and not a fighter by nature at all. I am completely out of my comfort zone with this strike. I look with longing at my classroom window each day on the picket line. However, I am angry that my students and dedicated colleagues are being used (and abused) as pawns in political and corporate games. When I read articles like the one I posted and read the information from these blogs, I shake my head in disbelief. If I don’t stay strong and help my union stand up to this really awful attack–who will? What really hurts are the lies and slander. How can the media spin it so well where people truly believe that children mean nothing to the people who have chosen as their life’s work to help them succeed. They believe money is what drives teachers and why we aren’t working. But corporate billionaires (or millionaires) and politicians–oh, yes, of course, they are the ones who truly work for the children of our public schools. What bizarro world do we live in? We teachers have done nothing wrong and should not be shamed. I don’t think politicians and the corporate elite who are deforming public education can say the same.
However, I and other Chicago teachers need help in staying strong. This striking is hard (mentally), It is not fun. It is not an extra vacation. We are not always supported on the picket lines (mostly yes–but there have been a few aggressive misinformed people). Any kind word or comments on any message board that is about the strike is much appreciated. I read them daily before I go to bed to remind myself that giving up would be greedy not digging in for the fight. Thanks for reading. Teacher
Please forgive the typos in the last paragraph. I was interrupted while writing and did not proofread that paragraph before I sent it.
Hang in there, Margaret! We are rooting for you! We are all CTU teachers now!
If people truly believe that teachers are in it for the money, then they will be happy with corporate America running their education system. We know what their motives are. Stay strong.
All in unison….Go Chicago teachers, go Chicago teachers, go!!!!!!!
TeacherFromTheWest: I was just about to post the same thought! The parents of the students in my class who are openly hostile – from day one, before I even open my mouth- are the ones who had a horrible experience in school.