If, like president-elect Trump (I have one more day to say that don’t ruin it), I had $20 billion to throw at education reform, I’d slip education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos a few dollars so she could buy herself a friggin’ clue. If Ms. DeVos thinks she’ll be saving the American education system by turning public schools into a business fueled by charters, vouchers, and school choice programs, she is sadly mistaken. Under her reign, there will be less accountability and more segregation, and sweet baby Brown v. Board of Education, haven’t we been through this already?!
And here’s the thing, you guys: I knew this–as many of you did–before her January 17 hearing where she stupid smiled at serious questions and cited grizzly bear attacks as a reason to have guns in schools.
Weeks ago, I set aside my strong opinion and researched DeVos and her “experience,” then begged my teacher pals to help edit my words so I sounded more academic than incensed because I am so much more of the latter right now. HOW CAN A WOMAN WHO HAS NEVER STEPPED FOOT IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL BE IN CHARGE OF THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM WHICH CONSISTS OF MOSTLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?!!!
Oh, that’s right. She wrote a big ol’ check to the GOP.
Well I’ve got a five spot and some lint at the bottom of my purse–it’s all yours if you click HERE to read my latest on We Are Teachers: Ms. DeVos is the Hottest of Hot Messes.* I’ll wrangle up a lollipop and Shopkins Band-Aid from my coat pockets if, after you read it, you SHARE IT. Sharing is caring, after all, and this is important stuff. So important, in fact, you should probably contact your local senators. If you’re a fellow Pittsburgher, here ya go:
Call Senators Casey and Toomey to urge them to oppose DeVos’ confirmation:
Sen. Bob Casey: 202-224-6324
Sen. Pat Toomey: 202-224-4254
*my working title was eventually changed. Shocker.
Going to be interesting how the landscape of public education changes in America. I am sick and tired of hearing how “our system is broken” and “we are falling behind other countries.” As a public school teacher, I believe in the system and although it is far from perfect, it is the best option. I do think the public system needs to find a way to incorporate a merit based system along with base pay into the teacher salary schedule though. Virtually all private-sector jobs have some type of financial incentives to outperform your coworkers or reach certain goals. It is obviously an effective way to motivate employees. Even though most teachers “aren’t in it for the money,” they are HUMANS and if you are guaranteed your salary just for showing up and not raping or assaulting a student, what motivation (other than personal pride and a burning internal desire to help kids) do you have to do “great” work. If a “satisfactory” performance pays you $70,000 and so does an “outstanding” performance, than why would you make the extra effort to be “outstanding” when the “satisfactory” teacher next door is making $70,000 as well? Additionally, it seems “trendy” to blame teachers for all the problems in the system. What about the 17-year olds sitting in the classrooms? Somehow it seems they are old enough to make decisions regarding their education, no? And what about the parents? Oh…I forgot….we don’t do “marriage” in America anymore, and traditional American family values aren’t being instilled into our children anymore at home. But we aren’t allowed to talk about that…much easier to demonize the overpaid, lazy, incompetent teachers.
WHOA.