[MOSAIC] Complacency vs. Implementing What I've Learned

[Bonita DeAmicis]

Michele--your classroom lesson sounds like it was fabulous and I am so sorry you are having to fight a battle just to defend that practice.  You are so right about the important work that our unions do for us.  I have realized (as I have become more vocal and strong) that tenure is an important device in education and the union is often the best defense for those of us trying to do the right thing.  On the other hand, like Jennifer, I have also experienced union (and nonunion) members and leaders who use their power for the wrong things and in ways that hurt other teachers, not something the national or even regional union would ever advocate--but it happens. I am sure we all have very varied tales about misuse of power in both unions and administration. 

I like what you said about not generalizing.  All of us are experiencing different union membership and different administrators in different states.  

One email I received offlist was from a teacher who is experiencing exactly the opposite of basal overload in her district. Instead of the textbook companies coming in and saying, "You may only do this or that," the school decided no textbooks would be allowed whatsoever, but in the process they did not provide the budget for other types of texts or books. Imagine classrooms empty of things to read unless the teacher buys stuff or checks it out of the local library!  An equally difficult position to put teachers in, but on the opposite end of the textbook-overload spectrum.  I wish, wish , wish for stronger political power for teachers that allows us to keep more balance in our schools and classrooms.  The pendulum of politics gets quite tiring and has nothing to do with quality education. 

What you point out about not generalizing is important to this list. We are all in different situations.  Hopefully we can forgive each other our passionate emotions in the interest of knowing that passionate people are serious about what they do. 

Thanks for speaking up,
:)Bonita

>am a union leader in both my state and local chapters.  I am also a very dedicated teacher.  I have taught for more than 20 years and work hard at my profession to stay on top of new ideas and methodologies.  Be careful about over-generalizing on this topic.  I am currently fighting a reprimand for insubordination because I supplemented the basal curriculum with something that was not suggested in the text; I shared music from a gospel/blues singer, Mahalia Jackson, after the students read a story about her.  I fight for the contract because it's an agreed upon understanding between the district and teachers.  If we don't stand up for our rights, someone else, namely administrators, will require us to do whatever they want.  I have no doubts that I was targeted because I speak up, ask questions and am a union leader.  Take a look at your district's history.  Many of the benefits you receive now is because previous teachers fought f
> or them.
> Michele