@dederittman The Chicago teachers have been on strike for 9 days. Sadly, the United States is paying very little attention. Why is that? People expect teachers to simply "do whatever it takes to make it work." If you have never been a teacher, you have no idea of the sacrifices and adjustments teachers have to do to "make it work."
Here are a few real-life examples:
"Sure, add 5 more students into my class of 30. I will need more desks added to the already overcrowded room."
"Yes, I will buy all my classroom supplies again this year, because the school board cut school supplies out of the already underfunded budget."
"Of course, I will shorten my lunch and fill in the spot needed for student supervision. No one needs 30 minutes to eat."
"Yes, I would love to take a second job because although I work 60+ hours a week as a teacher, the salary for this one is so meager, I can't afford my car insurance. "
Chicago teachers have been working in an underfunded system for years. Their class size is out of control, despite the ratio of teachers to students. Looking at that ratio, I am reminded of Mark Twain's observation about numbers - "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." Teachers are not just fighting for salary and school funding- they are striking for support for special education students, and for having librarians in schools with a large minority population. They want equity for immigrant students who need IEPs, but the parents cannot understand English, so none is available. Teachers want restorative justice coordinators, so students can be coached on how to deal with conflict, not just be penalized for being involved in a conflict. Indeed, these teachers are striking for for their students!
The teachers MUST stand up for themselves and their students. They can no longer go along to get along in a namby-pamby fashion. A strike is the only way to get the attention they need and deserve, in their attempt to resolve so many important issues.
I hope the Chicago teachers and their students are big winners with their strike. They are standing up to make conditions better for their students, as well as themselves. I like their message.
To learn more about Dede Fallot Rittman click here!
Here are a few real-life examples:
"Sure, add 5 more students into my class of 30. I will need more desks added to the already overcrowded room."
"Yes, I will buy all my classroom supplies again this year, because the school board cut school supplies out of the already underfunded budget."
"Of course, I will shorten my lunch and fill in the spot needed for student supervision. No one needs 30 minutes to eat."
"Yes, I would love to take a second job because although I work 60+ hours a week as a teacher, the salary for this one is so meager, I can't afford my car insurance. "
Chicago teachers have been working in an underfunded system for years. Their class size is out of control, despite the ratio of teachers to students. Looking at that ratio, I am reminded of Mark Twain's observation about numbers - "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." Teachers are not just fighting for salary and school funding- they are striking for support for special education students, and for having librarians in schools with a large minority population. They want equity for immigrant students who need IEPs, but the parents cannot understand English, so none is available. Teachers want restorative justice coordinators, so students can be coached on how to deal with conflict, not just be penalized for being involved in a conflict. Indeed, these teachers are striking for for their students!
The teachers MUST stand up for themselves and their students. They can no longer go along to get along in a namby-pamby fashion. A strike is the only way to get the attention they need and deserve, in their attempt to resolve so many important issues.
I hope the Chicago teachers and their students are big winners with their strike. They are standing up to make conditions better for their students, as well as themselves. I like their message.
To learn more about Dede Fallot Rittman click here!