I signed the petition to support Gus Morales, who was unjustly fired a few weeks after he was elected as head of the union in his school in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Gus spoke out vigorously against high-stakes testing and privatization. He opposed the posting of student scores on a public “data wall,” which he thought was humiliating. Let’s help Gus get at least 3,000 signatures, then aim for 5,000.

 

Here is the message I received after I signed:

 

Thank you for signing my petition, Teachers’ Voices Must Be Heard – Support Gus Morales.

As of now, the petition has received 2325 signatures! To really make a difference, we need a lot more people to join in. Can you share this petition with all your friends?

Click here to share it on Facebook:

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Then, forward the email below to everyone you know.

Thanks!

—Erin DuFresne
Here’s a sample message to send to your friends:

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Hi,

Gus Morales was a highly rated teacher for two years. Then on February 3 he spoke out to the School Committee about data walls, many of which listed students by name along with their scores on standardized tests and many of which were posted in areas accessible to the public (illegal under FERPA). After speaking out at the School Committee meetings, Gus was observed and given his first problematic evaluation. These observations and negative evaluations escalated after Gus was elected president of his local.

Gus grew up in Holyoke and graduated from Holyoke High School. He is a veteran, bilingual, and a teacher who has the support of students and parents. He is one of the few Puerto Rican teachers in Holyoke even though the student body is over 75 percent Hispanic. Gus is a male role model for many students. In May, Gus was elected president of the Holyoke Teachers Association with overwhelming support from his fellow teachers.

Gus is being non-renewed because he is a leader in the union and a leader in speaking out in support of students and the schools they deserve.

That’s why I signed a petition to Holyoke School Committee, which says:

“To the Holyoke School Committee:

We urge you to investigate the non-renewal of the contract of Gus Morales. Gus received strongly positive evaluations until he became a leader in speaking out against illegal posting of student scores on standardized tests. Since then, and especially since he was overwhelmingly elected president of the union local, Gus has been targeted. He was given highly dubious negative evaluations and has now been told his contract will not be renewed. Gus is an asset to Holyoke and should be retained. He should not be punished for speaking up for students and the schools they deserve.
“

Will you sign the petition too? Click here to add your name:

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/teachers-voices-must-1?source=s.fwd&r_by=9722215

Thanks!