Thread by @KellyBreenMI

“….public school teachers and administrators. They are all a bunch of bastards.”

These words were uttered recently at a well attended meeting in my community. A meeting in which several of our @NCSD educators were present. 🧵1/

https://twitter.com/noviacademics/status/1444802938065592325

These educators didn’t go because they were invited, but because they know they are under attack & are trying to understand why. They were called terrible things at this meeting, & this final statement was followed by an eruption of applause. 🧵2/

Two @NCSD school board members and a @cityofnovi city council member/candidate that are affiliated with this hosting organization were present. A speaker, a former teacher, disclosed confidential info about a student & mocked kids w/ special needs. Nobody spoke up. 🧵3/

I met Principal Ascher (essay linked below) a few years ago at my kids’ elementary school. My 5yr old was having a particularly awful day. His empathy for Novi’s children & his love for teaching was palpable. He connected w/ my son & helped me be a better parent. @NoviWoods🧵4/

Novi schools are consistently ranked at or near the top in the state. We have award winning educators, students & programs. Before & during this pandemic, we have seen teachers go over & beyond to help our children stay engaged, to learn & connect. 🧵5/ #NoviPride

When parents struggle to help kids at home, to keep up with their own careers & understand what happens at school - teachers have been there.
After the bell rings, they grade papers, create lessons, they coach teams & advise clubs. #SupportTeachers 🧵6/

Teachers give parents & kids emotional support, address behavioral issues, clean up their own classroom & others, create class newsletters, keep up with the ever changing education standards, & worry if their charges as if they were their own children. They are extraordinary.7/🧵

Teachers & educators are human, imperfect. But the ones I know in Novi, Northville, Walled Lake & South Lyon are committed, deliberate, caring, innovative, curious, & enthusiastic. Not perfect - but human.
8/🧵

They are not, by any means, the monsters they were portrayed to be at this meeting last week.

David Ascher’s essay here shows his compassion and understanding, a true exercise in empathy to try to comprehend where people come from. @dascher1267 @NCSD 9/🧵

Education isn’t a “1 size fits all” endeavor. There are times & places where a different model is best for a child, or times where a public school isn’t designed for child’s unique needs, & times where the public system fails. We can learn from these times & strive for better.10/

But what I can’t comprehend is demonizing people that have dedicated their lives to helping our children learn, grow & thrive. I can’t imagine I would ever be in a position to defend educators, like these board members & council member were, & not do so.
11/🧵

What we CAN do is try to be like David Ascher - & like so many of the other educators out there - to be hopeful. Like him, I am worried, angry, sad & disturbed. But I look upon the gardens that my 7yr old tends to at school… 12/🧵

I listen to my 11yr old talk about the new friend she made in a group exercise, witness the creative ideas like the hammock garden come to life, and see what these educators do on a daily basis - and I cannot help but be hopeful - and supportive. #NoviTogether #NoviPride 13/🧵

Our educators have our kids’ backs. We should have theirs. We can face whatever flaws we have in our public education system as long as we can come to a place where we agree we all want what is best for our kids & don’t demonize one another. #SupportTeachers #NoviTogether 14/end