There has been a raging Twitter debate about whether my post “Hero Teachers of Newtown” disrespected Teach for America (which was not mentioned in the post) and non-unionized teachers. Some claim that I “politicized” the tragedy by pointing out that all those who died were members of a teachers’ union and many had tenure. Let us not forget that the political attacks on teachers, on tenure, on public schools, and on unions have been intense these past three years. I think the post is self-evident and speaks for itself. But others have useful comments. Here is Katie Osgood:
What a ridiculous debate. Diane’s post was a beautiful reminder of the work that teachers REALLY do every day. It points out that the slander and misinformation regarding unions, tenure, testing, evaluation, and teacher quality of EdReformers everywhere is completely unfounded and cruel.
What the teachers at Sandy Hook did was indeed heroic. But I would also like to point out that those 20 precious children are not the only children dying from gun violence. Here in Chicago, we have lost literally hundreds of children’s lives due to violence in the past year alone: http://www.blackyouthproject.com/2012/12/the-children-are-dying/The teachers who work with these young people, who support the survivors after yet another tragedy strikes their streets, deserve our admiration and respect. Instead, teachers are constantly maligned in the media, called names by reformers and politicians, and accused of being stupid, lazy, and selfish. This bashing is wrong.
This tragedy simply points us back to how important and heroic our teachers are and how we MUST do a better job of protecting our children. So let’s talk about mental health, about gun control, about schools as safe spaces (not little no excuses prisons), and for god’s sake let’s talk about poverty, inequality, and racism. Afterall, why are we only shocked when the children who die are white and middle class? Parents weep every day here in Chicago.
And please, all you EdRefomers and TFAers, be quiet and show our nation’s teachers some respect for once. Shameful…
Diane Ravitch's blog 
That there is no respite from the propaganda attacks against teachers, unions, public schools, and now those who would defend them — no matter the depth of the tragedy and heroic sacrifice, shows the true values of the privatizers.
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The attacks on Diane’s completely reasonable post from TFA spokesmouths and their ilk is predicated on the bizarre notion that the rest of the education world obsesses about them. Hence, mentioning them is prima facie evidence of our obsession, but not mentioning them is, too! Since their world revolves around TFA, it’s impossible to post about education and NOT have them in mind, for good or for ill.
With that logic, it was “obvious” that Diane was taking a shot at them. But of course, what she was doing was pointing out to the many vehement critics of teachers and their unions that unionized teachers acted selflessly and heroically, sacrificing their lives or putting themselves further at risk to protect their students.
Apparently, to point that out is to attack TFA, offend the delicate sensibilities of its members and supporters, and to act – ahem – reprehensibly. I think the best retort to those who hold that viewpoint is, “Get over yourselves.” Followed by, “I don’t think that word means what you think it means.”
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They can certainly dish it out, but they can’t take it….slightly overly obsessed with themselves and their mission, whatever it is…I don’t even know anymore. Why haven’t they closed the gap in twenty years? They sound like failures, no?
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Twenty years. Wouldn’t that make rheeform the, um, status quo I keep hearing about?
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They can’t take because they aren’t accustomed to anyone disagreeing them. They think peer review means everyone nods in agreement to every one of their hairbrained ideas.
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As a teacher who is currently not in a unionized school, I can say that I was NOT offended by Diane’s post.
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Me too!!!
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I wonder if they would be offended if you told them Walmart is now the biggest seller of firearms and ammunition in America.
http://www.thenation.com/article/171808/how-walmart-helped-make-newtown-shooters-ar-15-most-popular-assault-weapon-america?rel=emailNation#
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Those Waltons have their fingers in every bad pie for $ale:
charter schools, employee exploitation, child labor, overseas workers in unsafe conditions, control of the news media
(read: CNN) and guns. ANYTHING to make a profit, as if they don’t have enough money already.
Additionally, far worse than anything TFA and Michelle Rhee have to say, because the actions of the Waltons speak louder than words.
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Let’s not forget TFA’s recent bogus claim:
http://garyrubinstein.teachforus.org/2012/12/13/wendy-fails-the-giggle-test/
Is it not reprehensible to lie?
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Mentioning that teachers involved in any noteworthy incident either are or are not unionized may seem political, but it’s merely a clarification: that teachers are the saving grace of unions, not the other way around (as is the accusation of hard-core reformers). The gathering of professionals to protect their integrity, profession, and livelihoods from the interests of profiteers protects a system of dedicated and undervalued educators who already give their lives, and then give it in an even more ultimate fashion when called upon. There should have already been a rallying cry and circling of the community wagons when characters like Rhee, Murdoch, Klein became instrumental in smearing schools, teachers and unions. What will the response be now?
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Who cares about TFA anyway. They aren’t really professionals
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