Teaching is an honorable profession.
Most teachers love kids, work extremely hard, and are highly educated.
Not all teachers are radical liberals.
#KeepReading
I've been shocked by social media and news stories
of teachers who behave unprofessionally,
of teachers who behave criminally,
of teachers who use their captive audience for political purposes.
#KeepReading
They are bad apples (pun intended).
As in any profession,
there are those who are not honorable.
This is unacceptable.
#KeepReading
always get the attention of the media.
While every day, good, hardworking, caring teachers
see their profession torn apart.
#KeepReading
Not all teachers belong to unions.
There are lots of conservative teachers.
Teachers don't have to be Democrats.
Unfortunately, many are.
And some are radical.
#KeepReading
the right paints broad brushstrokes over teachers.
Good teachers and schools are judged by the actions
of the bad apples.
It's a perception issue.
#KeepReading
A black man resists arrest for a crime.
He is shot by police.
It's caught on video.
It's horrifying to watch.
#KeepReading
It doesn't tell the whole story.
Rumors float.
Tensions rise.
Anger boils.
The media stokes the fire.
Perceptions are warped.
Protests.
#KeepReading
But the facts no longer matter.
Mob mentality acted as judge and jury.
The same thing happens to teachers.
A teacher behaves abominably.
It's captured on video
The mob calls for their head.
#KeepReading
Perceptions are warped.
All teachers and schools are painted with a broad brush.
Teachers and schools are forever caught in political battles.
#KeepReading
Most people who spout off about what's going on in schools have no idea what they're talking about.
Now hear this:
TEACHERS VOTE.
#KeepReading
Their votes count.
Most vote Democrat.
Why?
The Democrat party makes false promises and uses rhetoric to appeal to people with big hearts.
Teachers have big hearts.
#KeepReading
Not all teachers are Democrats.
Many of US are conservative.
We have big hearts too,
but we've seen the light.
Treating teachers like the enemy will NOT bring them over to our side.
#KeepReading
But in order to do that,
conservatives (AKA REPUBLICANS) need to WAKE UP as well.
You will not win over soft hearts with harsh rhetoric and accusations.
You will not win over teachers until you learn how to LISTEN.
#KeepReading
They are overworked and underpaid.
The stress is real.
I could tell you stories that would break your heart
and shock you into tomorrow.
The things that I've witnessed over the years...
#KeepReading
They are just as frustrated with curriculum mandates (such as Common Core)
as the general public.
They feel as if their voice is unheard.
It's amazing how politicians use education as a political tool,
#KeepReading
Administrators are similar.
There is a reason teachers call the next curricular or program a "bandwagon".
Now here is my point:
#KeepReading
They need to wake up.
But they will not wake up to the enemy.
@GOP Republicans tend to act like the enemy.
No Child Left Behind was the brainchild of Ted Kennedy.
It was enacted by President George Bush.
#KeepReading
Standardized testing is a multi-billion dollar monster that has had a terrible impact on schools.
Teachers really do hate the tests.
^^^Starting place.
Think.
Supporting the majority of teachers
#KeepReading
We can pluck out the rotten apples,
and still, support teachers.
There are changes that we can make for the better.
But we need our political leaders to LISTEN.
Please help me
MAKE SCHOOLS GREAT AGAIN
I received a thank you reply back from a staffer.
I met with my local Republican state rep.
I was amazed at how much he understood.
#KeepReading
We need to change the perception.
I would LOVE to have a sit down talk with @BetsyDeVosED
I have IDEAS. Innovative IDEAS.
#KeepReading
I want to improve our schools. I have ideas about that.
I want to bring rigor and discourse back to our schools. I have ideas about that.
I'm just a wee bit frustrated. Can you tell?
MAKE SCHOOLS GREAT AGAIN #MSGA