Comments on: We’re All We Have

By: Jose

Jose — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:21:49 +0000

You’re right, and really, we just need to keep plugging away, I guess. I don’t want to wait for the next administration to screw us over.

I’m glad things finally have changed a little as far as the news, but that comes mainly from us, who voice our concerns so often, and have people in the media getting the message out. Unfortunately, there was a time when there were too many talking heads who made it their business to hate teachers for some reason (our emperor being one of them).

Diane Ravitch seems cool by all accounts, but we need more of them. And she won’t solve the world’s problems, but the few of us that keep working can help put a wedge where the Republicans can’t.

By: NYC Educator

NYC Educator — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:14:22 +0000

Keep speaking truth to power. It’s a tough situation for us, as our union has basically allowed Bloomberg to eviscerate the contract, and failed to demand even cost of living in return.

But things have changed a lot. If you follow education reporting, as I have for years, you notice that reporters, with some notable exceptions, no longer go to the administration and print whatever they say without consulting teachers. I think that we are already making some positive difference by making ourselves heard, and I think we need to continue.

We also now have a very prominent voice in Diane Ravitch, regularly exposing the nonsense that this administration presents as achievements.

As for solving all the world’s problems, that’s a tougher task. But job one right now is to keep McCain out. I worry that they’ll be able to sell the public this nonsense about Obama’s preacher and avoid discussing what eight years of GW and his buds have done to this country. The GOP always wins on idiotic wedge issues and never does anything to help working people, who right now sorely need a boost.

By: Frumteacher

Frumteacher — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:16:46 +0000

Great post. Obviously you are right. I wonder though whether anyone will pay attention to a bunch of edubloggers, if even in the ‘real’ world, teachers aren’t being listened to. But then again, maybe that’s the power of a virtual union?

By: Jose

Jose — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:33:42 +0000

NYCEd: OK, true enough. What else can we do on our end?

AVoice: Too true. Maybe we need to write up our own articles, because apparently, the message isn’t fully out yet. Our own PR firm? Wow, that’d be great. I wonder how we can make that happen.

By: Daily link post 04/02/2008 | When the hurly-burly's done

Daily link post 04/02/2008 | When the hurly-burly's done — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:47:38 +0000

[...] The Jose Vilson — We’re All We Have Annotated [...]

By: avoiceinthewilderness

avoiceinthewilderness — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:59:32 +0000

I personally would like to see some reality leak out. It’s sad that even our union seems afraid to talk truth to the world. They, like so many school officials, seem afraid to go against public opinion. Maybe the publicity against teachers is too overwhelming to conquer.
There is so much anti-teacher resentment-especially in communities whose members would benefit the most from education. It’s like they are fighting themselves.
People don’t see how they are being manipulated. Social systems are set up to pit those who are serving against those whom they serve.
Maybe we should all get together and hire our own PR firm.

By: NYC Educator

NYC Educator — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:22:38 +0000

Well, we can certainly start by keeping John McCain in Arizona. There needs to be a resurgence in union around the country, not just by teachers, to preserve the middle class. I’m not convinced either of the Democrats is going to make that a priority, but I don’t think they’d fight it either.

Personally, I won’t have a lot of hope for this country if neocons continue to run it into the ground.

By: Jose

Jose — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:02:26 +0000

talda: I’ll most certainly answer that question. and thank g_d you did.

NYC: I’m in agreement. Now, what will we do about it?

By: NYC Educator

NYC Educator — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:41:13 +0000

Teachers are attractive targets for a number of reasons. First of all, we’re widely perceived as voting Democratic, so what’s it to a Republican to get out there and trash us?

Mostly, though, we’re one of the last bastions of vibrant unionism in this US of A, and wiping us out would really be a great step toward the Walmartization of America.

By: talda

talda — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:25:16 +0000

here’s a question: we all had those teachers growing up who we still think about their impact [mine would be my second grade teacher, miss chris...LOVED HER!], did some of your former teachers have an impact in how you approach your classes? i know you developed your own overall style, but are there things you have borrowed from other great teachers along the way?

ryc: i fixed it!