tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post114632693034867281..comments2024-03-14T13:50:26.981-04:00Comments on Chaz's School Daze: The Abuse Of The Classroom Teacher & My Union's Poor PrioritiesChazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09964739497720364749noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1147279874951077462006-05-10T12:51:00.000-04:002006-05-10T12:51:00.000-04:00As always, the problem lies with the fact that the...As always, the problem lies with the fact that the DOE is a massive monopoly as well as a massive bureaucracy. <BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, the union, to disguise its inability to negotiate with the monopolistic DOE, discusses its position on Darfur and other matters of no concern to the worklife of its constituents.<BR/><BR/>Contrast that with labor negotiations between the UAW and General Motors and Delphi, the company that builds many components for GM. <BR/><BR/>They're not discussing Darfur. They're looking at the finances of GM and Delphi in bankruptcy court today in lower Manhattan. <BR/><BR/>The court might terminate the existing labor contracts if they add up to doom for Delphi and GM. After all, those companies can't extract funds from taxpayers. They have to sell a decent product.<BR/><BR/>If they don't, Toyota will take away their business by selling better cars for less.<BR/><BR/>So the school system remains stalled. The UFT won't recognize economic reality and the DOE doesn't have to.<BR/><BR/>But, as always, if the monopoly were dismantled and true competition were introduced into primary and secondary education, the six very sound demands you made to improve schooling would shape the education market.<BR/><BR/>However, as long as a primary and secondary schooling is controlled byh a monopoly, very little change will occur.no_slappzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04207475509053402475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1147019607201704962006-05-07T12:33:00.000-04:002006-05-07T12:33:00.000-04:00Thanks for the encouragement Jonathan and Chaz. I...Thanks for the encouragement Jonathan and Chaz. I'll keep you updated.Reality-Based Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575623297528939722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146967145951578912006-05-06T21:59:00.000-04:002006-05-06T21:59:00.000-04:00I agree with Jonathan that you should run and brin...I agree with Jonathan that you should run and bring your school's ideas to the delegate assembly. As for me I have been on the school leadership team since 2003 and am always running against teachers that have administrative degrees who want to be on the committee for the resume. The danger is if they get on they will simply be the principal's puppet.<BR/><BR/>Go for it!Chazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09964739497720364749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146930255154091302006-05-06T11:44:00.000-04:002006-05-06T11:44:00.000-04:00R-B E,If you are going to attend the Delegate Asse...R-B E,<BR/><BR/>If you are going to attend the Delegate Assembly regularly, why not run? <BR/><BR/>Even a losing campaign gets ideas out. <BR/><BR/>Our union's greatest enemy is not who is control, or the "wrong" caucus attending, but apathy. Not enough delegates and CL's attend the DAs. Not enough information gets reported out, and not enough people pass it on.<BR/><BR/>Don't think that you will make rousing speeches, spnsor hard-hitting resolutions, win controversial votes. (Not to say never, but...) But it is through the act of participation that we, one at a time, can make a qualitative difference.jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908814256266075475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146923730933069502006-05-06T09:55:00.000-04:002006-05-06T09:55:00.000-04:00Oops! Sorry about the multiple posts - blogger ha...Oops! Sorry about the multiple posts - blogger had a mini meltdown while I was trying to post.Reality-Based Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575623297528939722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146923630976883512006-05-06T09:53:00.002-04:002006-05-06T09:53:00.002-04:00I'm thinking about running for delegate this week,...I'm thinking about running for delegate this week, but I'm wondering if I'm just going to want to bang my hread with a blunt object every time I show at the meetings. I know it's important for people with alternate points of view than UNITY's to become chapter leaders and delegates, but when I hear about some of the things that happens at these meetings I think to myself, why bother? What could I possibly change? <BR/><BR/>I think that's probably what the leadership wants us to feel. That way, only the people who have signed the UNITY loyalty oaths show up.Reality-Based Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575623297528939722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146923622024814792006-05-06T09:53:00.001-04:002006-05-06T09:53:00.001-04:00I'm thinking about running for delegate this week,...I'm thinking about running for delegate this week, but I'm wondering if I'm just going to want to bang my hread with a blunt object every time I show at the meetings. I know it's important for people with alternate points of view than UNITY's to become chapter leaders and delegates, but when I hear about some of the things that happens at these meetings I think to myself, why bother? What could I possibly change? <BR/><BR/>I think that's probably what the leadership wants us to feel. That way, only the people who have signed the UNITY loyalty oaths show up.Reality-Based Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575623297528939722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146923596814950862006-05-06T09:53:00.000-04:002006-05-06T09:53:00.000-04:00I'm thinking about running for delegate this week,...I'm thinking about running for delegate this week, but I'm wondering if I'm just going to want to bang my hread with a blunt object every time I show at the meetings. I know it's important for people with alternate points of view than UNITY's to become chapter leaders and delegates, but when I hear about some of the things that happens at these meetings I think to myself, why bother? What could I possibly change? <BR/><BR/>I think that's probably what the leadership wants us to feel. That way, only the people who have signed the UNITY loyalty oaths show up.Reality-Based Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575623297528939722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146438646291161052006-04-30T19:10:00.000-04:002006-04-30T19:10:00.000-04:00Jonathan:I agree that proper supplies and working ...Jonathan:<BR/><BR/>I agree that proper supplies and working copying machines along with an environmentally safe classroom is important and I should have added that to the list. However, if you ever worked summer school you know why its important. Plus, the boys will be more focused on the lesson than looking at the skimply clad girls.<BR/><BR/>reality-based educator:<BR/><BR/>thank you for the compliment. It does not matter where you are on the political spectrum, our union's priorities are all wrong. By the way I have a classroom just like yours. Too hot when the steam is on, too cold when it is off. Yes, I have roaches and mice as well and window shades that are stuck.Chazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09964739497720364749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146419626043905182006-04-30T13:53:00.000-04:002006-04-30T13:53:00.000-04:00Well said, Chaz. There is no reason why the union...Well said, Chaz. There is no reason why the union should be taking stands on the Iraq war, darfur, etc. The union should be primarily about labor/education issues.<BR/><BR/>I liked a lot of your ideas. I particularly like the fix the physical conditions idea. I work in a classroom where the heat remains on throughout the year. I for one would be a much happier camper if I could work in a place that wasn't full of mice, roaches, mold, dirt, and heat.Reality-Based Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05575623297528939722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20674128.post-1146411358418984632006-04-30T11:35:00.000-04:002006-04-30T11:35:00.000-04:00I agree with the thrust, but perhaps not with ever...I agree with the thrust, but perhaps not with every detail of your list of priorities. And I am not as negative about our union getting involved elsewhere.<BR/><BR/>But details: Air conditioning is too restricted. Would you consider expanding that to properly equipped spaces, good repair, health issues (ventilation etc), as well as adequate basic supplies expanded to include working copiers, paper, etc ?jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908814256266075475noreply@blogger.com