The Tampa Tribune Thinks Teachers Are Lazy

Reading the paper this weekend did not help to cure whatever stomach virus made its way into my system. (Or, as Oldest put it when answering the phone, "Mommy can't talk right now. She has the poops.")

Of course I'm talking about the latest attack on educators. This time in the editorial pages of the Trib.

Here is my response:

Dear Editor:

Your recent editorial attacking teachers won't help the public understand what is at stake in our high schools next year. You spent too little space outlining our superintendent's inadequate communication skills and too much time imploring teachers to play along.

Parents left out of redistricting discussions last year, teachers left out of scheduling decisions this year. Tell me: What is the best way to handle such a display of totalitarian leadership and the inevitable fall-out that occurs?

Instead of stressing the benefits of teachers and administrators working together, you continue to try pitting teacher against teacher, once again comparing high
school teachers to elementary school teachers. Divide and conquer will not work
in this situation. Most teachers are disappointed and frustrated with leadership
that devalues all of us. Repeating Elia's talking points, suggesting a raise
most of us aren't banking on, only makes your views less legitimate.

Teachers are not calling on co-workers to do the bare minimum. We aren't
threatening when we speak the truth about our ever-growing list of duties and
responsibilities at odds with enough hours in the day. We aren't whining when we
point out the difficulties resulting from a lack of quality leadership that
undermines our very existence and a community that misunderstands our roles.
Your editorial, with half-truths and faulty comparisons, does nothing to improve
the situation.

And you suggest we respond with silence. You believe we should play along. What kind of lesson would that teach our kids?

Our students are watching a superintendent who does her own thing no matter who is harmed. They are watching a school board give in to her every whim. They are
also watching their teachers come together to speak out against bad policies that
will negatively affect everyone. They are watching us speak up for our schools,
our jobs, our passion. Students are watching us speak up for them.

Haven't you heard? Those who can, teach. We can and we will fight for
what's right. Our students deserve nothing less.

There. My stomach feels much better.