questions for the resident teachers

Full Quiver · Postby **Full Quiver** » January 23rd, 2008, 12:04 pm

Teachers are usually lumped into the liberal crowd due to their enrollment in teacher's unions who for the most part support Democrats. For all of you guys and gals that work in the education system, how do you feel about the unions?

Do they tell you who to vote for? Are you personally against school vouchers?

Do you really feel that you should be paid as you are or would you make more and be better off if paid on merit (your personal job performance)?

How many of you reside/work in right to work states yet are still members of liberal education unions?

If the above question applies then I ask why be a member?

MrDanger · Postby **MrDanger** » January 23rd, 2008, 12:37 pm

According to a study that was done (I believe by the NEA, can't remember exactly) the estimate of teachers that are members of the NEA is about 25% of all teachers.

The majority of teachers that I know or have met (I have met them from all 50 states because of my activity with the business club FBLA) are very conservative.

The NEA on a national level is run by a small minority of their own members. Even some of the NEA members disagree with what goes on and are trying to take their union back.

I support, wholeheartedly, merit pay. I despise the fact that someone that doesn't put any effort in, but has taught the same amount of years that I have, makes the same amount of money I do.

As you probably know, FQ, in TN, they are trying to introduce merit pay. The TEA is "negotiating" how it should be implemented. At our most recent faculty meeting, their representative said that they wanted our input on how to equitably distribute the merit pay since we are all hard working teachers. I started tapping the table loudly and said, "How communistic can you get?" That drew laughter from the majority of our teachers and our principal.

As you can guess, I am not a member and am proud to say that after my first year of teaching (the only year I was a member), our school has gone from 100% membership to less than 15% due to some hard work on my part and one other teacher. I won't be satisfied till we are at 0%.

Full Quiver · Postby **Full Quiver** » January 23rd, 2008, 12:40 pm

cool Jeff

teach · Postby **teach** » January 23rd, 2008, 3:14 pm

ya know, I am a teacher, and I have no idea what you are talking about as far as the pay stuff goes, but most teachers I know do tend to be conservative except for the younger teachers

wendy k

DeWayneTN · Postby **DeWayneTN** » January 23rd, 2008, 5:40 pm

Jeff, as if you could get any cooler in my book - way to go!

MrDanger · Postby **MrDanger** » January 24th, 2008, 3:55 am

DeWayneTN wrote:Jeff, as if you could get any cooler in my book - way to go!

Steve · Postby **Steve** » January 24th, 2008, 4:45 am

Jeff,

I don't know if you were ever an honorary member of BOGIFT, but as a charter member, I say you are now!

Way to go, man!

DaJudge · Postby **DaJudge** » January 24th, 2008, 5:36 am

Mr. Danger, you are my hero. Does TN have an alternative organization for teachers with conservative values? I know GA does, because I had a relative who was a member of it. Same benefits as the NEA, but without the pro-union pro-democrat bull manure.

teach · Postby **teach** » January 24th, 2008, 5:38 am

I am a member of TEA, but I don't believe it is specific to conservative views, but they do offer legal counsel if I am sued or something like that.

wendy k

MacUser · Postby **MacUser** » January 24th, 2008, 6:08 am

He didn't get that MrDanger name for nuthin'

Bravo.

MrDanger · Postby **MrDanger** » January 24th, 2008, 6:11 am

I can address two of you at once on this. Teach, you can join another organization for a lot less money that is a non-political union (TEA is a part of NEA, to be a part of TEA, you have to join NEA).

www.teacherspet.com

It is Professional Educators of Tennessee. You may have already heard all the terrible things about them. TEA has been on smear campaign for two years now. I have researched it myself (I encourage you to do the same) and found that TEA is lying about them. From what I can tell, P.E.T. is a very solid organization and it is a lot cheaper. Next year, feel free to join.

teach · Postby **teach** » January 24th, 2008, 9:09 am

thanks jeff! I'll check it out!

wendy k

turbotim · Postby **turbotim** » January 24th, 2008, 9:11 am

All right... I'm weighing in as a 5th year teacher in Mississippi. I have not nor will I ever be a member of the NEA or MEA. I had to sit through their spill about how important it is to become a part of the union. Their liberal views stunk the place up. They do offer the legal help. But I will not join. My money will not go to help THEIR cause because it is not MY cause. I have talked to many who are not a part of the MEA/NEA because of the liberalistic garbage they produce. Plus it is way too expensive for me.

That's just the way I feel about it....

Full Quiver · Postby **Full Quiver** » January 24th, 2008, 6:09 pm

I fyou live in a right to work state, TN is one, then you can work in an unionized industry and receive the benefits of the union negotiated contract without being a union member or paying any type of dues.

Jude 2