For a state that couldn’t pass a modest measure on Education Savings Accounts just two years ago, it’s a breathtaking turnaround. What changed?
In February 2018, public school teachers brought West Virginia to its knees. Seeking pay raises and better health plans, unions had declared a “work stoppage” in all 55 counties, shuttering every public school in the state. The “stoppage” — which was in fact an unlawful strike — dragged on for nine school days, costing children nearly two weeks of instruction. Under pressure, the Republican legislature rushed through a pay raise to pacify the unions.
The victorious teachers of West Virginia quickly became the darlings of the socialist left. Jacobin magazine, which had extensively covered the strike, ran a victory-lap interview entitled “What the Teachers Won.” News coverage touched off copycat strikes, beginning in Arizona and spreading to other states. The “Red for Ed” movement was born, uniting unions, socialists, and other far-left radicals in dreams of an American labor renaissance.
FRIGGIN AWESOME !! Get this on a national level school vouchers NOW WE DEMAND IT IN MD!!!
I am a teacher.
I do not belong to the teacher’s association.
I personally believe teacher’s associations/unions do nothing but shelter those who should not be teaching.
I personally believe that the local WCEA does nothing for the teaching profession except to shelter teachers who are, at best, mediocre, and at worst, a nightmare. I have personally watched a teacher that NOBODY wanted be routinely transferred around the county rather than firing her. In this instance, the association made it impossible for her to be terminated. She is black, cannot speak English correctly, much less follow any grammatical rules when writing. She is inept and incompetent. Yet, because she is black a sort of reverse philosophy is in play. Had I, as a white teacher, said or done anything she has, I would have been dismissed long ago.
I also personally believe that what I am paid is more than fair, and I am grateful to still have a job through this pandemic. My colleagues largely do not feel this way. Many honestly think that students should not be in school for a variety of reasons that all defy science and research and reflect the selfish and liberal views we see nationally.
In my opinion, teachers should work like any other profession.
Do well and work hard, and you get to keep your job. Fail to do so and you are removed.
Suffice it to say, my viewpoints are not well regarded by my colleagues who continue to slop at the public trough, scarfing down taxes paid in the county and demanding more every day. I am shunned and have been attacked by the ‘woke’ members of our local teaching ranks. I fortunately retire in a few months – happy to leave the greedy and arrogant members of our ‘profession’ but sad to leave students.
Parents, you have a golden opportunity to forever shape local public education. Step up and get involved. Tell Principals and the BOE that you don’t want the woke, liberal mob in charge. Take action and apply pressure. Do not take no for an answer. Bond together, retain counsel if needed to file injunction after injunction.
Take back your schools and demand common sense be the law of the land.
As for me, 42 years is a long time. I hope to see a change in education but alas, I doubt anything will get better.