| Lo, these many years ago, I was hired as a special ed teacher in the Pontiac, MI public schools. Upon signing my very first contract, I was told I had to also either join the teacher's union or not be hired again. That was my first exposure to teacher's unions and I did not like it.
Since I was so, well suspicious is the best word I can think of, of the whole teacher's union thing, I decided I should become involved. A "rep" spot became open at my school and it was offered to me and I was eventually appointed. So I attended meetings. Eventually, I became a Board member (special ed representative).
I was the lone voice (and, believe me, it was lonely) at times for actually considering the students. I remember being horrified at the idea that the union wanted to force teachers to NOT take their kids to the school library to read books because the school district was being forced (due to the plunging economy of the times) to cut back on library staff. When push came to shove, the student's well-being was definitely NOT the union's primary concern.
It left a very bad taste.... |