Norm Coleman. Education reform. Those terms don't fit together, do they? But, as a former teacher, I'm offended to
see Coleman's Minnesota Action Network buying post-election TV ad air time to
paint those protective, head-in-the-sand teachers unions as the bad guys who
are keeping good, young teachers out of parents' children's classrooms through
teacher tenure rules, which protect seniority through the LIFO (last in, first
out) lay-off rules.
A flat out attack on teachers unions....
No one in his ad ever says that the senior teacher next door
probably did just as exceptional work with his/her students, or that many of our jobs
actually value the long-time, experienced staffer as having learned to do their
work well and efficiently, and being able to provide guidance and mentorship to
the new, young, inexperienced employee.
No, in teacher circles, somehow it's best to be 24, in your first or
second year on the job, full of bright, young ideas and most importantly,
energy and the presumed ability to better-relate to the kids. As opposed to "old" mom or grandma
figures in the classroom, who are over-paid, unable to relate to the kids,
stuck in a rut, lazy or energy-less, and brainwashed into thinking the
teacher's union is the only thing standing in the way of the principal or
superintendent firing their sorry ass, so that the school can keep that new,
energetic, less-well-paid instructor.
Teacher tenure and seniority rules are part of paying your
dues - figuratively and literally.
Teachers aren't constantly looking over their shoulders, fearing
repercussions from the powerful parents or political elements in their
community. Teachers aren't constantly in
fear of someone "not liking" their style, their comments, their
manner of dress, their religious or sexual preferences, or their participation
- or lack thereof - in school or community activities.
Teacher unions have helped create a professionalism in the
workplace, and have strengthened the middle class through better pay and
benefits - which are often jealously resented by those less fortunate who see
themselves as taxpayers giving these wages and benefits to others, instead of
paying less taxes out of their own pockets.
Norm Coleman and his MN Action Network are only multiplying
those resentments through this misguided and unfortunate ad campaign. It's sad that this passes for mainstream
Republican policy these days.
