Michelle Gunderson: Teacher Union Conventions to Debate Common Core
Guest post by Michelle Gunderson.
Sitting around the table in our teachers' lunchroom a teacher said to me, "I didn't go into teaching to be political." I find this an amazing statement because no other human act is more political than teaching. As teachers we are charged in a democracy to educate a populace capable of self-governance.
And then there is the old saying - when you become disinterested in politics is when politics become interested in you.
This summer educators around the country will congregate in the political workings of our unions at the AFT and NEA conventions. This is no small business. The decisions at these conventions guide the work of two of the most powerful political voices teachers have.
Over the past several years we have seen a groundswell of social justice activists become increasingly involved in the democratic process of our unions. Social justice unionists believe in the power and structure of our unions, but we are disheartened by many of the decisions of our national leadership: namely, the wholesale endorsement of the Common Core State Standards, negotiating contracts with test-based teacher evaluation, and acceptance of funding from foundations that act against our interests.
The time to help guide our leadership away from policies and actions that harm our students and our professions is now.
Are you a delegate to the national conventions? Do you know the delegation from your union local? Have you started thoughtful conversations about your vision for our country's education system and the directions you would like our unions to take?
In AFT, those of us who are delegates just received our packets containing proposed amendments and resolutions to consider. Having ushered a resolution now being considered by AFT through my local's education committee and the Chicago Teachers Union, I know firsthand the groundwork, Michelle Gunderson: Teacher Union Conventions to Debate Common Core - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:
