Word Jazz served (mostly) daily. Education, politics, music, the arts, New Jersey, and whatever else strikes me.
"A widely read teacher blogger" - Jane Roh, Courier Post.
"One of my favorite bloggers" - Diane Ravitch
Apathy is what's going to kill us. I work in a building with 125 NJEA members, yet 1/10th, at best, are engaged in these issues. My district has almost 1k NJEA members, yet again less than 1/10th are keeping informed and active. If this happens in NJ, it will be for the same reason Christie was voted in, lack of engagement and apathy, so many didn't vote. I used to be very proactive and share information but was labeled as a reactionary and paranoid; I stopped sharing. I've shown them the water, the rest is up to them. If this happens in NJ it will be on them.
The only weapon we have against the overwhelming power of corporate cash is our ability to effectively communicate with one another. It's what we do for a living and we need to use it. Our colleagues want explanations and those who understand should be at the ready to give voice to what is really going on. Teachers who have for years been submerged in false political narratives may be difficult to convince but what can the ed reform crowd offer them? Vague promises of merit pay? The only thing that gives "reformers" any edge at all is money. Fight on truth is on your side.
Governor Walker argued that collective bargaining was breaking the budget for Wisconsin. When I last served on a local union board (not in New Jersey), the top item on our list of negotiations was a matter of safety for students and substitute teachers. Yes, collective bargain is about money, but it is about much, much more. Safe working conditions, healthy learning environments for students, access to educational materials, healthcare, and continuing education.
Throughout the country, we must counter the big lies like those from Wisconsin's Governor Walker and New Jersey's Governor Christie.
Apathy is what's going to kill us. I work in a building with 125 NJEA members, yet 1/10th, at best, are engaged in these issues. My district has almost 1k NJEA members, yet again less than 1/10th are keeping informed and active. If this happens in NJ, it will be for the same reason Christie was voted in, lack of engagement and apathy, so many didn't vote. I used to be very proactive and share information but was labeled as a reactionary and paranoid; I stopped sharing. I've shown them the water, the rest is up to them. If this happens in NJ it will be on them.
ReplyDeleteThe only weapon we have against the overwhelming power of corporate cash is our ability to effectively communicate with one another. It's what we do for a living and we need to use it. Our colleagues want explanations and those who understand should be at the ready to give voice to what is really going on. Teachers who have for years been submerged in false political narratives may be difficult to convince but what can the ed reform crowd offer them? Vague promises of merit pay? The only thing that gives "reformers" any edge at all is money. Fight on truth is on your side.
ReplyDeleteMy friends, you make some excellent points that I will address more fully on my two-year anniversary next week. Thx for reading and commenting.
ReplyDeleteGovernor Walker argued that collective bargaining was breaking the budget for Wisconsin. When I last served on a local union board (not in New Jersey), the top item on our list of negotiations was a matter of safety for students and substitute teachers. Yes, collective bargain is about money, but it is about much, much more. Safe working conditions, healthy learning environments for students, access to educational materials, healthcare, and continuing education.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the country, we must counter the big lies like those from Wisconsin's Governor Walker and New Jersey's Governor Christie.
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