An Example

Sometimes we need to look to others to help us figure out the best course of action. This holds true when it comes to unions, especially unions. I remember when the fire fighters, (love them, God bless them) stood firm and waited till they were given a fair contract. Ditto for the police force. However, the teachers' union doesn't follow suit.

If anything, I would say, (I do say) that we were sold out and that when the contract was ratified the membership was not consulted. Do you remember voting to ratify the contract? I certainly was not included in that decision.

Well, right now we have to live with the choice made for us and wait for the tiny little increments we will be receiving. Yeah, more like bread crumbs, if you ask me. Sold out, is how I feel and so does everyone I speak to. The contract shows how little our union thinks about its members and how much they think about lining their pockets.

So, I'm looking to Seattle teachers for a little guidance. Maybe a model for when I am part of the new union leadership, Solidarity. They do say, "Imitation is the highest form of flattery!"

First of all, let me set it up for you if you haven't heard.

• Having  the old contract expired, Seattle's teachers hadn't received a cost of living raise in six years. 

• the district wants to increase the length of the school day by 20 minutes without adequately compensating teachers for the extra time.

• The teachers are seeking to address racial and social inequality in Seattle schools by setting up equity teams to study achievement gaps and discipline trends in 60 of the district's 97 schools

• Teachers also want to ensure that every elementary school student gets at least 30 minutes of time to play outside the classroom.

• Teachers also wish to address over-testing by imposing limits on the number of tests students take and increasing teacher involvement in deciding which tests are given and how they are used.

These are just some of the major points they wanted to address in their new contract. I love how they became social advocates for the kids, especially schools with more low-income students and students of color who tend to have less recess than wealthier, whiter ones. 

The talks broke down and they announced on their website, "parents and students (should ) prepare for something not seen here in a generation". Yes, they are  passionate and willing to make sacrifices even in the face of being fined for their action. 


Hear that, New York...


On they went and their strike lasted until Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 6 PM, P.S.T, when the  district and teachers' union bargaining team reached a tentative agreement. They voted to recommend its ratification and end the strike. School would start on Thursday for Seattle students, but the strike wouldn't be officially over until Sunday, when the full union membership would have a chance to vote on the contract agreement.


Hear that, New York...


... full union membership has a chance to vote on the contract agreement...


Membership as part of the final decision... isn't this the way it's supposed to be? I have yet to vote on a contract and ladies and gentlemen, I have been around since 1987!

On this past Sunday, the full membership of Seattle Education Association overwhelmingly voted to accept a new three-year contract with the Seattle School District after months of negotiations and six days of striking. Sure some of what they fought for had give- backs, like their salary increase came with a longer school day for students, but they fought for their beliefs. They stood firm and took on Goliath. That's what a union does.

A union supports and fights for its membership.

A union keeps track of the rising cost of living and makes sure to take it into account when it's time to talk again.

A union does not allow anyone to speak ill of one of its members. No Matter What!

A union does not play politics on the backs of the people who voted them into their positions. They keep in mind, I Am a Representative Of Many!

A Union...

A union...

A Un... I could go on...

It is time for a change. As I walk the hallways of the school I'm in, you can hear it. As I sit in the Teachers' lounge, it is a topic of conversation. Teachers want a change. They are dissatisfied and morale is at its lowest. This is not our doing. This is the result of a leadership who puts itself first. A leadership who plays politics for its own betterment. A leadership whose president belongs to so many different councils and groups that he has forgotten that this is his primary job and that we put him there. Well, not me.

This upcoming June will be the first time that I will vote with much delight and full of hope.
I will be voting Solidarity all the way! Because as their slogan says, "Hope is coming!"

She  finally did it! The principal rated me ineffective in her part of the evaluation. I am beside myself and wonder what this will do to my final evaluation.

Last year, not really being familiar with the numbers, she rated me developing. At the end it turned into effective and highly effective.

This year, in her own words, she understood the way the numbers weighed and their impact. So, she had to rate me down to make sure I don't receive effective again. I'm not stupid. I read right through her statement.

I have spoken to the union, and continue research on my options (if any). I am gathering all of my papers and creating a timeline to file harassment.  I have 4 years worth of papers to go through! Thank God it's summer!!!

I am still awaiting the determination of EEOC. Although 3 teachers claimed they would also file discrimination charges against her, I am only certain of one who did the same and he too is awaiting the result.

I hate waiting! Not a good trait to possess!

Anyway, she again "excessed" me from the school. This I don't get, because she tried this 2 years ago and when she did this, it was overturned by the superintendent. I have 27 years going on 28. Which superintendent will okay this excess? I have the most experience but she had left her options open by never appointing me in the High School certificate!!! 

She is cunning! That I have to give her. But, she is transparent! Too transparent. Maybe she wants me to know that she does what she does. That's a special kind of evil, one I had never experienced until I came to this school. And, finally, I don't care.

I work at XXX Academy! Tune in later...

Common Core

Now I understand why it is that the PBA and other city unions fought for fair and equitable contracts. They waited it out till they received what they deserve.

The UFT fell for it very quickly and Michael Mulgrew made it a point to instill fear so that the contract would be ratified by the majority of teachers, even when most knew that we were getting the short end of the straw.

It was the Common Core mentality that we have been indoctrinated for the past several years. Look at the next example:

Mulgrew is a big advocate of the Common Core which basically, in its quest to increase critical thinking has made simple math look like a puzzle from the New York Times.

I am not a math teacher but what  I do know is that the increases we will be receiving in no way will match the cost of living in 2020. We were short changed in ways that the union blatantly accepted because they will continue to receive their fat checks as we speak.

Now, I say this in jest, not really but think about, why? Why is it that teachers who are creating the future of tomorrow are treated like second class citizens? Why is it that after three degrees, I am still considered substandard according to the new evaluation system?

My principal who did nothing to support us when it came to Danielson, rated me as Developing. It was only after the test scores came in that the students who took the local exams passed, that I received Effective. Then the state exams results came in and I was found Highly Effective.

Morale is the lowest since I began as a teacher. And it is not just me! It is every teacher who has seniority and is making the top salary. Hell, I worked for that! It's taking me 27 years to get there. Cops hit top pay at five, and trust me, I take nothing away from them. They protect us and keep us safe. But, teachers go through it too. Last week, I was pushed by a student and verbally attacked by another.

The new chancellor regs now stipulate that unless there is an immediate threat we are not to remove students. Well, both were back in the classroom: one the same period, the other three days later.