Posted on 07/06/2011 6:07:19 AM PDT by tobyhill
President Obama seems to have a love-hate relationship with the nation's largest teacher's union.
On Monday, the National Education Association endorsed Obama in 2012 -- long before his Republican opponent has even been selected. But the vote of confidence comes in spite of the fact that educators are less than thrilled with the president's efforts to reform education.
Two days before endorsing the president, the NEA passed a resolution outlining 13 areas where the union adamantly disagrees with the policies of Obama's education secretary, Arne Duncan.
The NEA letter states that educators are "appalled" by Duncan's emphasis on competitive grants, standardized testing and one-size-fits-all policies.
"It's pretty clear that there was plenty of discussion and, sort of, hand-wringing about the fact they had no choice but to endorse the president, Obama being much better than the alternative," said Mike Petrilli, the executive vice president at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
“Stunning brilliance from our “educators.””
The NEA is traditionally hard core unionist, who happen to be teachers. They would be the same in any profession.
I disagree. I'm nowhere near smart enough to be able to "fix" the public educational system in the US...and it needs fixing badly.
But to abandon educated people simple because they teach as a profession is just plain silly.
How can capitalism and conservatism be marketed (or "sold" if you will) to teachers - as a whole - such that they perceive it to be in their own best interests to alter their philosophy?
This also begs the question: are ALL teachers dem/lib/prog/pops? Answer: doubtful. What do repub/rino/conserv/tparty teachers find appealing about "the right"?
No, I don’t refer to “they” in terms of the teachers, “they” are the NEA.
The Conservatives need to speak truth and many teachers/union members will understand the uselessness of the Dept. of Education.
It no way ensures the demise but truth will erode their influence.
You are really not given a choice about the NEA. In most school districts where we have taught, a teacher attempting to quit the NEA will find themselves making a career change.
"Speaking the truth" will not necessarily "sell" the idea (regardless of what it is) to teachers - as a whole.
Remember: it's repub/rino/conserv/tparty truth. A tough sell to be sure.
Selling the idea of a union free, competitive, well paid teaching profession needs to appeal on a very visceral level if movement is to occur. They - as a whole - must perceive that the repub/rino/conserv/tparty philosophy is the "place to be" and it's perfectly ok if they opt for this position based on purely selfish motives. In fact, it's to be preferred.
Teachers’ Union Endorses Obama
Liberalism is rampant in our schools, education is not.
Then we disagree. I’ve met conservative teachers who teach and yet are very afraid to be discovered. That is sad.
The pervasiveness of the progressive agenda in teaching has been in the profession for too long. You consider them educated, yes...very well brainwashed into supporting the agenda. The current crop of teachers have been taught that agenda since they were students in school.
I do not see many teachers capable of critical, independent thinking. This article shows the power of the ‘group think’ to people who have had their critical thinking skills either never taught or taken from them. This is what happens with people in a cult. This is what happened very much in 2008, though many choose to deny it.
We would need to deprogram the education system. That in my mind would mean getting back to basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
PS.
Some are calling for the getting rid of the Department of Education, I say to keep it.
Keep it and change the focus and funding.
Awesome example of what I am talking about...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2744467/posts
No need to wait to see who else is running before making their endorsement~!
The teachers unions are ONLY ALLOWING hard core liberals to become teachers
And they are finding ways to remove those who are not.
In my childen’s school the ONLY TWO openly outspoken Republicans were both elimiated this year because of “budget cuts” but mysteriously they added a replacement after they were gone.
And that is at least one of the problems with unions as a whole. Seems like it should be a very easy thing to "sell" the idea to teachers - as a whole - that this is not in their best interests. The free competition for excellence in teaching with comensurate compensation would be a far better way to live and work, no?
But to "sell" the idea...the alternative has be be both achievable and realistic. If a teacher is in a place where the union hold all the cards and there are no other teaching opportunities....then the teacher is "stuck" or must change professions. Neither idea is appealing.
However, it would seem at least a plausible idea to sell the idea to teachers that by placing their confidence
True, they are definitely not going to bite the hand that feeds them.
As long as the unions control the teachers, then the "law" for teaching any given curriculum in a CA public school is a done deal. The teachers not in agreement with the new curriculum must either seek to have the law changed, or leave their teaching career.
In a nation where jobs are scarce to non-existent, leaving a career is not a good idea....unless one has a high earning spouse, is a lottery winner, or was born "well to do".
I envision a scene from “Invasion Of The Body Snatchers” — the staggering zombies lurching forward with vacant eyes.
I teach. I think the single best thing a conservative could do, is to abolish teaching certificates. Imagine that someone could teach anywhere in the US, with the possession of a degree in the subject that he planned to teach.
Teacher’s colleges are most of the problem. They screen teachers and attempt to control the profession.
[ (The NEA is dumber than a box of rocks) ]
-OR- They know exactly what they are doing.. and are doing “it” on purpose..
You know.... Treason, sedition.. domestic espionage..
Oops! One more good whack on your typing hand, because I would bet the good sister didn’t wind her pointer around your knuckles and make it look all pretty like a gift.
Personally, I actually made it through public education with the correct knowledge, but that was long ago...before the hippie generation took over the teacher unions and the touchie-feelies took over the teaching profession.
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