After I wrote a post praising Lotte Beebe, an elected member of the state school board, I received an email from an experienced educator in Louisiana. She nominated another state school board member who has stood up to the Jindal bulldozer: Carolyn Hill. Please take the time to encourage these two fearless women with your thanks.
Lottie Beebe has been a Godsend to those of us fighting for the survival of public education in Louisiana. I have to bring your attention also to a more recent heroine – CAROLYN HILL.
Carolyn ran for her seat on BESE last year with the financial and political support of reformers. She drank the Kool-aid and for her first few months on the board supported the 10 reformers on the 11 member board. Evidently her exposure to the realities of reform transformed her thinking when she attended the National School Boards Association conference with Lottie. For the last few months she has been fearless, untimidated, well spoken, and fully armed with research supporter of our public schools. She is a beacon of hope for those of us who are trying to educate the masses about the devastation brought by reform. She and Lottie make a powerful team.
I hope Carolyn and Lottie will receive an outpouring of support from your readers nationally that will empower them to continue in spite of the intimidation and attacks they are receiving. Carolyn can be reached at carolyn.hill2@la.gov and Lottie can be reached at lottie.beebe@la.gov.
Thanks – Lee Barrios
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I have been sending a note of support and appreciation to all the brave pro-public school activists that Dr. Ravitch mentions. So far, I have received a grateful message from each person. Although it might be a small gesture, we must support each other in any and every way we can.
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Done…
FIRE DUNCAN! Hire Ravtich!
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Done and will continue to email those Diane highlights. Thank you, Diane.
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It is not at all an easy job to stand up and speak out in support for public education anywhere. Louisiana is at the top of the list where the fight is an everyday one. Those of us who are trying to reach out and educate the public as to what the ed reform package is doing to eat away at public schools in Louisiana are very thankful that we have Lottie Beebe and the recently enlightened Carolyn Hill taking a stand and are fighting back. Lee Barrios is a fighter as well.
Thanks for recognizing these two individuals, Diane. Thanks to the readers who are showing their support as well.
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