This appeared on a Facebook page and was sent to me (I am one of the few people on the planet not on Facebook).
“I’m getting ready to go to bed b/c I have to get up at 5:00 in the morning for early duty. I plan to pray tonight for our Elected Officials b/c that is what it says to do in the Bible to pray for them b/c they are placed in authority. I have a lot of emotions going through my mind but I hope and pray that the Representatives will do the right thing tomorrow and Support our Ms Teachers. We all work hard and we all do it b/c we love the children and love our communities. Even though we don’t teach for the money we all have bills to pay and have to provide for our on families. It really bothers me personally though that the State would be willing to give away $350 million to big corporations, willing to give tax credits to Vouchers for private schools, and expanding Charter Schools across our states. I truly believe that some of these elected officials have forgotten us and just don’t respect us anymore. I just don’t understand how they can start new schools while our schools are underfunded and teachers are struggling to make it. Anyway I’m off my soapbox but plan to keep the fight and plan to do the best job that I can to educate my children everyday. God Bless you all.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Teachers so much for the children that attend school, sometimes taking the place of a parent who may not be involved. Teachers influence, inspire and encourage. They should respected and earn a good living.
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“I truly believe that some of these elected officials have forgotten us and just don’t respect us anymore.” It is absolutely true that elected officials, their corporate funders and the Rheeformers do not respect actual and real public school teachers of the REAL public schools. They have not so much forgotten the public school teachers since they have declared war on public school teachers, their unions, tenure, seniority, pensions and their bargaining rights.
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Hi Diane,
I’m a regular reader of your blog, thanks for the great information!
I was wondering if you had heard about and have a take on Portland Public Schools’ impending teachers’ strike. Teachers have voted to walk out on Feb. 20 if longstanding contract issues are not resolved. There is also a big controversy on who will be hired to substitute for these teachers should the strike occur, and what taking these teachers’ classrooms will mean for these substitutes’ future careers… will they be able to find work once the strike is over? http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_teachers_union_presid_1.html
Teachers in Medford, Oregon, southern Oregon’s largest school district, also just began a strike. Schools closed down on Thursday and Friday for the strike. http://www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/31110642-75/district-medford-teachers-strike-thursday.html.csp
I’ve heard of other districts in the state having near-strike situations as well that they are still hoping to resolve. Oregon schools are a mess right now!
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Haley,
The Network for Public Education will soon issue a statement about the Portland strike, because it involves class size, an issue we care deeply about as advocates for children.
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They showed their “respect” way back when, when they put out ” A Nation at Risk”. Actually I believe they were pushing for vouchers before that but “A Nation …” was the real opening salvo. EVERY teacher was incompetent, ignorant etc and EVERY school system was terrible. If the nation were to be “saved” people must come to the rescue. To the rescue they have come – in spades – and school boards believing this have rushed in where angels would fear to tread.
It is only getting worse and unless people come to their senses and soon money will supplant reason more and more until we join the “innumerable caravan” of lost nations. At my age now, 85, I fear for the future of my children and grand children. And not just because of the education fiasco unfolding. Best government money can buy has more and more meaning in so very many ways.
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You are so right.
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Teachers all over the country have been going without raises and have often had to deal with cuts in pay and benefits. Along with the lower financial compensation they have dealt with the constant insults and attacks on their profession. Obama and other politicians give their bs speeches about helping the middle class, yet, they have gone out of their way to destroy this middle class profession. Instead, they have promoted charter schools which have incredibly high turnover for teachers and low pay.
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