Cafeoutdoors.com: Good Teacher

I just don't see how the NEA is the root of all evil in public education. I have two choices for liability insurance and legal support...the MSTA or NEA. The MSTA is the biggest joke as far as supporting teacher's rights there is! That leaves me with one choice...the NEA. I've been a member for 11 years now...never been active, but I see what they do in the districts I've worked in.

I've NEVER seen anything from the NEA or its members supporting abortion, condom use, alternative lifestyles, etc. The two magazines I get from them are all about promoting literacy, fighting against NCLB and making the workplace for teachers and support staff a safer, more productive environment. Are there radical NEA folks out there that push that crap? If so, they're not alive and well in my world. Maybe they are more prevalent at the high school level, but assure me, there is nothing negative the NEA is reputed to do in any of the schools I've worked in.

As for unions and public employees...something needs to be done. We were railroaded into a new salary chart this year that works us more hours per week, but pays us less than we would have made with the old salary schedule. That's just what's on paper. The administration has basically snuck in an additional 1.25 hours of work per week for us by lengthening our school day (good idea), but shortening the hours that we must be there. We currently are to arrive at school at 8:30...guess what time the kids are released to our rooms...8:30. In reality, it takes 30-45 minutes of work each morning before students arrive to prepare for the morning's lessons. We have to be at work early...off the clock...to get our jobs done. Do you think the workers at Ford would stand for that? How about an additional 2.5 hours of professional development per month...required, but not paid for? We have all of these things going on in our district now...teachers have complained, nothing was done. Now guess who is stepping in (with lawyers) to get this resolved...the NEA.

I'll go into work tomorrow as I do 200+ days a year and do my best to show these kids that their future lies not with rap, sports, or entertainment as many of them believe is the ONLY way, but that through hard work, honesty, and discipline they can break the cycle of poverty and make a difference.

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