A Call to Action: You Control Accountability!
By: Artie Leichner
I have been given the opportunity to write a piece to address this very significant organization. My name is Artie Leichner. I am a retired teacher, former union leader and a current candidate for the Florida House of Representatives.
I want to talk to all of you about accountability. It used to be such a simple concept. Individuals were assigned tasks and there was an expectation that those specific functions would be carried out. We were expected to be on time, teach and evaluate our students, communicate with parents, guardians and administrators as appropriate. We had a contract and it needed to be followed by all parties involved in it.
Of course we as teachers had a different level of accountability. Our students needed supplies, classrooms needed to look right, Xeroxing without paper, providing occasionally food, as well as ongoing management of the crisis of the moment. We held ourselves to a higher standard and placed the needs of our kids above all else. What did it get us?
It got us where we are today. Somehow the control of the dialogue has shifted. It used to be that teachers followed clergy among the most respected and responsible members of society. Now, all of a sudden it is we who are constantly tested, challenged to insert a scripted curriculum, designed for ...by....? If we follow the script with fidelity and those placed in front of Badass Teachers Association: