I'm not a member of the teacher's union, so I'd say no. I know a lot of people think that the union is a benefit and so it's not fair that all teachers benefit from the union without paying. But I think the union drags us all down to the lowest common denominator. If I were to start teaching today, I'd start out at a charter school just to avoid the union and its negative (in my opinion) impact on education. But that wasn't an option when I started. I know that's an unpopular opinion at IPS, but you asked. :)
I am a AR and many times I feel like our union lacks backbone and basic communications skills. In today's world, communication needs to be better and the union needs to be proactive with protecting teachers. Without the union you have no rights and all contracts are void. I get upset at teachers who are not members, and take the benefits from the sweat of many. Wait until they have a problem and they run to the union to ask for help.
I'm a member of the union and I firmly believe unions were very beneficial to teachers at one time. But to be honest, I don't think they do much now. I keep my membership because I feel like that's what I'm supposed to do. But I don't really believe they do much anymore. I actually wonder if the union will even still be around in 20 years.
As a new teacher at a non-IPS school, I joined because I wanted the liability insurance, basically. If something happens and a student would accuse me of something or a principal would treat me unfairly, they'll back me up. It's very unlikely, so I definitely weighed the cost of that, but I decided at least starting out I'd rather have that safety net.
I think unions have some benefits, but I also feel that our union defends anyone- even in cases where I'm not sure that the person should be defended. The union also pushes for higher pay and benefits without higher standards and accountability. I don't want to be kept accountable by tests, but that doesn't mean all accountability is evil. I'm proud of the work I do.
I think that if ISTA really wants to be a professional association, and wants us to be treated as professionals, they need to start requiring more of us. Raise the bar for us to be considered professionals!
Go ahead and teach at a charter school to avoid unions. You will get 1/2 the pay and few, if any, of fringes like medical insurance.
1. The IEA is not perfect and the current leadership is not very aggressive. The members can change that.
2. Unions don't defend teachers. They defend the process. I have seen teachers who deserve to be fired but the administration has agreed to a specific process. If they are allowed to dismiss one teacher without using the proper process then it could happen to a good teacher. A principal may have a friend or relative who wants a job and could just fire someone to make room.
3. With the litigious attitude of current students and parents, I would not want to go into a classroom unprotected. I have seen many good teachers wrongly accused and they union has worked to save their jobs.
If we didn't have a union what do you think our working conditions would be like? There are a lot of folks who put down the union, but reap the rewards of what we get when we stand together. Without the union Dr. White and the school board would just walk all over us, more than they already do. I'm proud to be a part a member of the NEA and ITSA. It costs me about $50 a month. I've never needed the legal services, but they're there if I did need them. That's peace of mind well worth the price.
If you want the administration to take you seriously, than I suggest you do your part and join our organization. Either way, you benefit from those of us who are members.
Don't blame the union for students who don't study and parents who don't parent. We are all professionals who work hard, care and spend lots of our own time and money to make our classrooms a positive place where kids learn. The educators I work with all go above and beyond what they are contracted to do, and I'm speaking of both union and non-union alike.
Teaching without the union's safety net is way too much like driving on black ice. You may feel totally under control of your life, then suddenly plunge into a ditch.
Who can you call to help get you out of your dilemma?
With your car, it's AAA. In IPS? You're screwed.
Sure, head to a Charter. Don't stay away too long, though. No township will touch you with more than five years' experience, so you'll be back at IPS' HR, hoping for a position.
Perhaps you can sub. They don't have unions, either.
Without unions, we could hire the best teachers in the state in urban schools. We can't do that because everything has to be even-steven for everyone. I'm not benefiting unfairly from the union. The union is benefiting unfairly from me. I'm above the median. I get suburban results with urban kids and grumpy coworkers and out-of-touch administration. I'm not thankful for the union. They should be thankful for me. Without teachers like me, the union has absolutely NO bargaining power.
1. Taking a lot of $$$ for little return. 2. Ensuring that teachers cannot be assigned duties thereby ensuring less safety for students. 3. Making sure that the "professional" teachers can represent themselves as such while wearing jeans and tennis shoes (or worse). A principal cannot enforce a teacher dress code yet we are required to enforce one. If you purport yourself to be a professional then at least look like it. 4. Making it downright uncomfortable to be a "rebel" and not join the union. 5. Spreading the old saying, "Work the contract." Sure, don't extend yourself out of your comfort zone. You might just change the life of a student in the process.
Why not join the Indiana Professional Educators? They offer the same legal protection at a much lower cost.
Where can one find information about the Indiana Professional Educators? I might be interested for the legal protection aspect.
I left the teacher's union after watching our fellow teachers on local television at a Board meeting. Too many of my fellow teachers were dressed like they were going out to clean someone's house -- old faded jeans, baggy sweatshirts, and those awful black t-shirts with some union message scrawled across the back. In short, they dressed in a totally unprofessional manner.
What a jerk, but I bet you placed your inceaze and bonus in your checking account without one "thank you" to the IEA and hard working teachers who attened the Board meetings. The reason for the dress and news coverage was to force Dr. White's hand and win over Board Members, which we did without help from lack luster teachers who are more worried about how they are "dressed" than teaching. My God what a phony, self-serving, shallow person, who would worry about how they are dressed and than about being a kind and caring educator.
Maybe that's another topic for discussion -- Does clothing matter? I think it matters quite a bit in how we are perceived and respected by the students, parents, administration, and by the public. I mean, isn't that why other professionals dress professionally? I don't know anything about Indiana Professional Educators, but it was easy to find by Googling. And again, I don't feel like the IEA got me my raise or my bonus. I believe they took the raises and bonuses that would have gone to the best of IPS and forced IPS to spread it equally across the board. And without one thank you to the above-average teachers.
Those who are not in the union are running risk. As a teacher who has been under fire of administrators who were taking aim at teachers for their own lack of leadership it was the union who got false evaluations removed (for the union members, I know teachers who they are still out there). It was the union who protected a fellow teacher of false acusation that Dr. Pritchet (then superintendent) wanted his resignation.
Non-union members may benifit from the pay and benifit packages. They will not get help when they become targets for no other reason than an administrators is on power kicks.
That does happen. Go to a charter or private school. It happens in those places too.
It does not help that don't deserve it. I was witness to one who was a member and failed his duties. The union refused to help because he was so far out of line.
Yes, the union is something all should belong too. Is is as strong as everyone would hope? The answer is NO! Is is it something that can help when a crisis not of your own fault happens? YES!
But hey just woke up and this is my first opinion on this early morning. Still tired and need coffee before my mind is fully awake. Might come back to this with more later.
I don't mind dressing up (slacks, polo's, shirts and ties) but when it comes to footwear. I will wear what is comfortable and job proper.
A good teacher rarely sits down and is constantly moving and motivating students to perform better.
I have wore a pedomitor (not sure of spelling) and ended up having over 7-8 miles average per day (work day). I will wear these shoes for comfort and proper footwear. The so called professional footwear is not recommended for those on their feet all day. Ask any foot specialist.
Try loafers or tie-up dress shoes. That's what my husband wears, and he has all kinds of foot problems and has to be on his feet all day for his job. I've been a teacher for years, and I have never worn sneakers to work, nor have I ever worn uncomfortable shoes or heels. There are lots of comfortable professional shoes out there and most of them are cheaper than a decent pair of tennis shoes.
Who ever heard of a union that couldn't strike?? What teachers let the policymakers make that law? Unions were neutered decades ago and worker rights are the LOWEST in Indiana rather than in any other state- check it out. While the union seems weak its weak because our policymakers want it that way. But when there is a problem like poor management decisions that screw teachers over like health care benefits, then they BLAME our union. Hell, management doesn't appreciate any of you anyway..so "blame your union." Yeah right. Charter school?? Ha. We keep getting these kids even the week before Christmas break. Way below grade level, some have been out of school days or even weeks. Parents are no where to be found. Still waiting to get that "charter school Einstein student" I keep hearing about on radio and tv. We only see the other ones. I feel for those teachers. It must be tough with the students running the asylum and business people making education decisions based on the bottom line. Love to all my IPS brothers and sisters! You ARE the best and the most dedicated educators. Be a light of hope for your students during this holiday season. We are their best and only help especially now.
It is difficult to get information on the Indiana Professional Educators. They are next to impossible to contact because their phone number is directed to an answering machine in someone's home. Calls are rarely returned. Often when they are returned, they tell the person that they need to talk with IEA. You get what you pay and with IPE you are probably better off using your dues money for toilet paper.
The ability to strike by "public employees" was destroyed by GOP members in the State House and Washington years ago. Mitch will try again this year to do away with our collective rights and many of you will vote for the anti-education governor. Charter schools are awful, Herron has another opening for a Special Education Teacher, wonder why they can't keep teachers if "the grass is so green"?
No matter what you think about IEA, they will be there if you need them. It is obvious from Dr. White's comments and actions he has no respect for any of his teachers. That attitude is filtering down to the prinicpals. Without the union, if you get an administator that is out to get you, you have no protection whatsoever. Yes, the power of the union is limited. Yet, it still is there to help at a moment's notice when you need it. At #43, a teacher was denied entry into the building, and told she would have to call for a sub, and take 1/2 a day. She was arriving late because of a doctor's appointment. Arrangements had been made for her students, paper work had been filled out, and all of a sudden this was not acceptable, and she was told not to come in. The IEA pres. was there in a flash. No one else will come to your rescue from being mistreated, falsely accused, improperly evaluated and /or written up without reason but just as retaliation. yes, I wish the union could be stronger, but it is up to us to make it that way. If we truly want to improve IPS, then teachers must unite, and take back control! We are the ones that know what will work best for our students! If you are not a member of IEA, I strongly suggest you join. Dr. White has said many times that we must weed out teachers. The problem is who is doing the weeding, and it is not only weeds that are being targeted!!!!!! Remeber, what happens to a fellow teacher, could happen to you next!!!!!
Anyone who acts as though the union is perfect is biased. Anyone who acts like having no union would be ideal is probably having too much faith in education.
I can see some of both sides, and I think any logical person should be able to see both the benefits and drawbacks.
I really think the liability insurance is the main reason for a new teacher to join. It was, at least, for me.
Collective bargaining can lead to good things, but I do think that sometimes collective bargaining puts things to a stalemate. I would not want it to go away entirely without some serious limits placed on what corporations can take away from teachers. Teachers should have some minimum benefits that are protected by the DOE, if they can't be fought against by the union.
Keep in mind, though, that in some schools there is serious pressure to join; in my school, our new teacher orientation was preceded by a free breakfast in which we were STRONGLY URGED by union members to join; other than that, though, I've felt no pressure at all. The teachers in my building don't all belong, by any means. I've never heard of anyone being harassed as a "free ride" or anything like that.
I joined because of the legal support and collective bargaining. IPS is calling in the the "bad teachers" and will try to place them on the sub list. IEA will take care of it's members if the process that was agreed upon was followed by IPS. The other "bad teachers" will have to hire legal counsel or sub until they can retire. I have to laugh, the ones who refuse to join the union are the ones that come running to the AR when the principal writes them up for not doing bus duty.
You can buy professional liability insurance for far less than union dues if that is why you are joining. Years ago when teachers were required to pay "fair share" for negotiating their contracts, Indiana Professional Educators were defended by the Right to Work group. Union dues were only about $30. more than "fair share" even though the "fair share" was just for the cost of the negotiation. After 3 years, the union could only demonstrate that the cost of negotiating the contract was about $167. (for 3 years) which is what the non-union folks paid to the union. Where does all the money go - much of it to political action groups. You do not have to go to work for a charter school if you don't want to join the union - it is not a requirement. Other districts, like Warren, I think...have their own organization of classroom teachers. Several years ago their dues were about $60. a year and they negotiated one of the best contracts around. Also, IPS does carry liablity insurance on teachers, I think.
I think teachers should be union members because there is strength in numbers.
However, it appears to me that union leadership has been pretty weak for many years in IPS. I wonder if it is because most of the union presidents end up back as IPS employees after their terms are over?
I think it would be hard to go to battle with administrators when you know that someday you are going to be working under them again.
I think retired teachers would do better as union heads.
Aso, why are the union leaders so low-profile? We never see them on TV making a case for the teachers to the general public.
Using IPS liability insurance is like putting the fox in charge of the chicken house.
How can one be defended properly against false acusation by and IPS administrator? Especially if IPS is the one flipping the bill for your defense.
The union will come to your defense and is strong when you have false acusations happen. I have seen fellow teachers (friends) who have had to use them. IPS must protect the children first and react on their behalf. That usually means you (the teacher) are left out on your own and distanced from.
It is the union who comes to your defense. Not belonging is risky.
Waite till a parent accuses you of something and downtown machines begins operating. You will wish you belonged to the union. It is easier for them to get rid of you than to properly investigate.
Watching this happen to others has made me appreciate the union for what they do.
Do I wish they were stronger, more upfront, better and negotiating better benifits, etc. YES! Would I drop them? NO!
The protection is worth my money each pay. In my opinion.
IPS will throw a teacher under the bus in a heartbeat. Anyone who relies on IPS for protection is a fool. Also you may have a liability policy on the cheap but by the team you pay an attorney a $5000 retainer to begin your case, you will realize that you have made a major error in judgement. Lastly, the old canard about union dues going for political action is FALSE. This is prohibited by federal law. Voluntary policitcal action contributions fund the PACs. If you know of any case of dues being used for political action then you need to notify the federal officials. Put up or shut up with that old tired line.
If it is true that union dues cannot go to any PAC, then why does one have to indicate that they do NOT wish any of their dues to go to PACs by purposely indicating it? Other professional educator groups offer liability insurance comparable to union protection, by the way. $75. for Indiana Professional Educator insurance.
Not complete sure about the cost above but their website can be found under Indiana Professional Educators and it explains the insurance, etc. Looks like the yearly dues are now $107. which includes liability insurance. Also discusses the "free ride" issue re non-union members. At least it might be prudent to check out other options...I distrust the union after the whole investment of payments for long-term disability mess...
I am surprised that not many folks seemed concerned about the article in the paper that stated that the Obama administration is giving a lot of money to failing schools to enable them fire their current principals and staff and start over...where is the union in that as supporters of Obama? Someone posted the article a couple of weeks ago.
I am a libertarian who is a huge proponent of education reform, and I got into teaching in my 30s for that sole purpose. So obviously I could never join the union. But I hadn't heard about the Indiana Professional Educators. Maybe that would provide some of the benefits of the union without sleeping with the enemy, so to speak!
Please read more carefully. The form clearly states no dues money goes to political action. It does ask if you want to voluntarily donate to the PAC group. Again it is against federal law to use dues money for political action.
"I campaigned and voted for Obama, but he has been a disappointment to me in almost every respect, including his education policies." QUOTE
I agree. He has not shown me a lot. He's made changes, but they're not necessarily friendly changes for us as teachers. The NEA was a major supporter during his campaign. Where does the union now stand with Obama's educational policies? That is something no one in our union ever mentions.
Earlier in this post, someone mentioned teachers' dress and whether type of dress was important. I believe it is. Teachers who wear blue jeans, tee shirts, and tennis shoes may be neat and clean; however, they're not dressed professionally. When I seek services from a professional, I don't expect to see them dressed like they're going to a ball game or to the grocery store. I prefer my banker, my lawyer, my doctor, and my child's teacher to look like a professional when I arrive at their office/place of business/classroom.
Dress is important and the reason I brought it into this discussion is because that is one thing I hear about all of the time. That is, how the union made a deal with IPS that teachers can wear what they want. At the same time, it seems ridiculous that we are charged with enforcing a dress code when (some) of us are wearing jeans and untucked polo shirts with tennis shoes. I would further say that if we wish to be seen and treated like professionals, we have to dress the part. Simple as that.
I agree that we need to dress appropriately but there are some teachers who overdress and set up a barrier between themselves and their students. The students get the perception that that the teacher is trying to show off wealth and is too good to teach them. I hear the students talking about it. It is in poor taste to wear tons of gold jewelry, expensive high heels and designer dresses or suits. Evening wear is for in the evening.
I have several pairs of nice jeans, but I do not wear them simply because the students are not allowed to wear jeans. If they can't wear jeans, then why should I flaunt my status as an exempt adult. Kids definitely notice teachers (male and female alike) who wear jeans to school when they aren't allowed.
It's the same principle that keeps me from drinking soft drinks during class time. The students aren't allowed to eat or drink in class, so why should I? What kind of example are we teachers setting when we wear jeans/drink sodas/eat in front of them when the kids can't?
Guess, I am one of the poor teachers we are speaking of here.
While I only wear jeans on pay day and still usually still have a dress shirt and tie on. I wear tennis shoes all the time at school no matter my attire. I find them more comfortable than dress shoes, loafers, and other shoes.
I also do have drinks in the classroom helpful for my dry throat. The teacher is the one speaking, directing, helping, moving a round. I find my throat getting irritated and become thirsty. I am required to be in the hall way (at my door during the passing period). I don't get a chance to go to the water fountain or restroom. My drink will remain, Thank You.
You are probably one of the hipacritical (sorry, no spell check here) teachers who speak about soda but have coffee in hand. There is no difference.
It is bad enough that I have gotten in trouble for using the restroom during passing period instead of being at my door two years ago.
Now you want to be critical. My kids perform. Professional attire does not make a good teacher. The students and parents will perform and respect you depending on how you treat them and educate them. They will know if you have their best interest in mind or not.
I tell my students this. "I have worked hard to attain these rights. You are working for those rights. Just as in households kids dont' always have the rights of the parents it is the same here. You must grow and learn to attain the benifits of adults. That is your ultimate goal."
If you think teachers and educators are on the same level of rights you are wrong. We have been through college and other training to attain our rights. When students do that. They can be on the same level of rights as a educator.
By the way. It is early morning and getting ready to head in. So, not totally awake. Sorry about any grammar or spelling errors. Before the police come in. (I need my morning Coke fix!)
Adults earn privileges that children have not. Adults can drink and buy cigarettes [not at schoo9l]but it is illegal for children to do so. Adults can drive cars. Most children cannot. Adults can vote. Children cannot. Welcome to the real world.
If it was universal that kids dressed up and adults dressed down, I'd agree with the "adults earn privileges" concept. But most professionals dress much nicer than most students. So it comes across like IPS teachers are not real professionals. And I disagree that students don't relate to professionals. On the contrary, I think if we don't see ourselves as real professionals, they can't possibly be expected to respect us as such. I know that the blogmaster really has an issue with White's red shoes, but at least that's some attempt at dressing up and looking special. Jeans and sneakers really make a negative statement in my opinion. (Now I will admit that the teacher above who says his students perform well -- then fine, be the exception. But in my experience, rarely are the casually dressed teachers the ones with the well-performing classes. I do think professional dress often makes a difference.)
Drinking anything but water in front of the students when they aren't allowed to as well makes you a hypocrite (I looked it up in the dictionary). I believe the same goes for wearing jeans or not tucking in your shirt. If you want them to follow you, then set an example.
As for wearing ties...I work in a building with no air conditioning, so I rarely wear a tie, except when it's cool or cold. But then the heat turns on and soon it's too hot to wear a tie and I take it off. Also, the only other man who wears a tie in my building is an administrator and don't like being mistaken for one of those.
As for shoes, there are plenty of comfortable shoes that feel like athletic wear but look professional enough for school. We're not lawyers, we're teachers and we should look like professional educators who work with children, not hippies or college students.
This talk about drinking fluids, bathroom breaks, clothing.....
I believe that schools are really unhealthy places to be a student and to be a teacher. The premise is that human beings can control their bodily needs as to the frequency, necessity, of visiting the bathroom. Also, my kid (I am not a teacher) comes home from school dehydrated almost every day because there are not enough opportunities for him to hydrate. Our personal doctor agreed that this is a problem in schools.
Teachers being forced to restrict bathroom opportunities and to impede students being hydrated puts them in a position of being forced to compromise the health of the kids (and themselves).
Why not allow kids and teachers to wear clothes that are comfortable? How does that impede education? As long as the clothes are not dirty and the dress style is not sloppy (underwear showing, etc.) then what difference does it make? Thankfully, my kid attends school in a district in which there is no uniform requirement. He dresses casually and comfortably.
Make schools more "human health and comfort friendly" and kids won't dislike going to them nearly as much. School would also be more humane to teachers and others who work in the buildings.
Really the way school is "done" hasn't changed much in 50 years. These kids aren't like kids who grew up in the 1950s, so why force them to sit for hours in uncomfortable chairs in classrooms listening to a teacher lecture - restricting their trips to the bathroom and opportunities to hydrate and perhaps even to have a little snack to keep their blood sugar level?
The way school is "done" in 2009 needs to be drastically overhauled to better meet the needs and reduced attention spans of kids of this era.
[Why not allow kids and teachers to wear clothes that are comfortable?]
Comfortable to one student or teacher is not comfortable for another student or teacher. Being comfortably dressed is relative.
Prior to a uniform code of dress for students, I remember female high school students wearing baggy flannel pajama bottoms to school because they were "comfortable" and warm. The pj's were clean, their undies were not showing; however, they were still dressed inappropriately! By the way, their moms would show up at school dressed in pajama bottoms, also.
Actually, there is such a thing as being "too comfortable" which leads to a laxness in personal discipline and personal behavior.
The same goes for professional dress. What is seen as professional is not for others. I think this is what we have here.
Dress does not matter to me. What happens in my kids classroom is more important. I have seen teachers dressed like they work in the White House perform poorly and those who just came off the gym floor oustandingly with my children.
What amazes me (as a parent). It is the ones who talk about dress, rules, and rigid other teachers who are the most poor ones I came across. My two kids in college now (GRAD from Tech and Manual) are great learners because of the ill dressed professionals. I thank them from now till I die for that.
Maybe those who talk about dress for others instead of paying attention to their own classrooms will take these professionally poorly dressed lead.
Today at the staff meeting, our AR was supposed to present on the SBDM manual. She was completely unprepared, so the principal let her go last. During other people's presentations, she RUDELY left the library several times and carried on conversations with other people. Mind you, these other presentations contained information she needed. Then, when presenting the SBDM info, she didn't explain anything; I guess we're all supposed to have the manual memorized and understand what she is talking about when she says, "Change October to February in section 2 paragraph 3".
I'm not a member of the teacher's union, so I'd say no. I know a lot of people think that the union is a benefit and so it's not fair that all teachers benefit from the union without paying. But I think the union drags us all down to the lowest common denominator. If I were to start teaching today, I'd start out at a charter school just to avoid the union and its negative (in my opinion) impact on education. But that wasn't an option when I started. I know that's an unpopular opinion at IPS, but you asked. :)
ReplyDeleteI am a AR and many times I feel like our union lacks backbone and basic communications skills. In today's world, communication needs to be better and the union needs to be proactive with protecting teachers. Without the union you have no rights and all contracts are void. I get upset at teachers who are not members, and take the benefits from the sweat of many. Wait until they have a problem and they run to the union to ask for help.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge pro-union person and have been a member of two other unions (teamsters being one of them).
ReplyDeleteI am not a member of this union and will not become a member until they show any level of effectiveness. So far I am less than impressed.
I'm a member of the union and I firmly believe unions were very beneficial to teachers at one time. But to be honest, I don't think they do much now. I keep my membership because I feel like that's what I'm supposed to do. But I don't really believe they do much anymore. I actually wonder if the union will even still be around in 20 years.
ReplyDeleteAs a new teacher at a non-IPS school, I joined because I wanted the liability insurance, basically. If something happens and a student would accuse me of something or a principal would treat me unfairly, they'll back me up. It's very unlikely, so I definitely weighed the cost of that, but I decided at least starting out I'd rather have that safety net.
ReplyDeleteI think unions have some benefits, but I also feel that our union defends anyone- even in cases where I'm not sure that the person should be defended. The union also pushes for higher pay and benefits without higher standards and accountability. I don't want to be kept accountable by tests, but that doesn't mean all accountability is evil. I'm proud of the work I do.
I think that if ISTA really wants to be a professional association, and wants us to be treated as professionals, they need to start requiring more of us. Raise the bar for us to be considered professionals!
Go ahead and teach at a charter school to avoid unions. You will get 1/2 the pay and few, if any, of fringes like medical insurance.
ReplyDelete1. The IEA is not perfect and the current leadership is not very aggressive. The members can change that.
2. Unions don't defend teachers. They defend the process. I have seen teachers who deserve to be fired but the administration has agreed to a specific process. If they are allowed to dismiss one teacher without using the proper process then it could happen to a good teacher. A principal may have a friend or relative who wants a job and could just fire someone to make room.
3. With the litigious attitude of current students and parents, I would not want to go into a classroom unprotected. I have seen many good teachers wrongly accused and they union has worked to save their jobs.
If we didn't have a union what do you think our working conditions would be like? There are a lot of folks who put down the union, but reap the rewards of what we get when we stand together. Without the union Dr. White and the school board would just walk all over us, more than they already do. I'm proud to be a part a member of the NEA and ITSA. It costs me about $50 a month. I've never needed the legal services, but they're there if I did need them. That's peace of mind well worth the price.
ReplyDeleteIf you want the administration to take you seriously, than I suggest you do your part and join our organization. Either way, you benefit from those of us who are members.
Don't blame the union for students who don't study and parents who don't parent. We are all professionals who work hard, care and spend lots of our own time and money to make our classrooms a positive place where kids learn. The educators I work with all go above and beyond what they are contracted to do, and I'm speaking of both union and non-union alike.
Teaching without the union's safety net is way too much like driving on black ice. You may feel totally under control of your life, then suddenly plunge into a ditch.
ReplyDeleteWho can you call to help get you out of your dilemma?
With your car, it's AAA. In IPS? You're screwed.
Sure, head to a Charter. Don't stay away too long, though. No township will touch you with more than five years' experience, so you'll be back at IPS' HR, hoping for a position.
Perhaps you can sub. They don't have unions, either.
Without unions, we could hire the best teachers in the state in urban schools. We can't do that because everything has to be even-steven for everyone. I'm not benefiting unfairly from the union. The union is benefiting unfairly from me. I'm above the median. I get suburban results with urban kids and grumpy coworkers and out-of-touch administration. I'm not thankful for the union. They should be thankful for me. Without teachers like me, the union has absolutely NO bargaining power.
ReplyDeleteWhy worry about the IEA? DON'T APPLY TO IPS!!! RUN!!! LOOK ELSEWHERE. The "top dogs" at IPS have NO respect for teachers.
ReplyDeleteWhat I see the union doing:
ReplyDelete1. Taking a lot of $$$ for little return.
2. Ensuring that teachers cannot be assigned duties thereby ensuring less safety for students.
3. Making sure that the "professional" teachers can represent themselves as such while wearing jeans and tennis shoes (or worse). A principal cannot enforce a teacher dress code yet we are required to enforce one. If you purport yourself to be a professional then at least look like it.
4. Making it downright uncomfortable to be a "rebel" and not join the union.
5. Spreading the old saying, "Work the contract." Sure, don't extend yourself out of your comfort zone. You might just change the life of a student in the process.
Why not join the Indiana Professional Educators? They offer the same legal protection at a much lower cost.
Where can one find information about the Indiana Professional Educators? I might be interested for the legal protection aspect.
ReplyDeleteI left the teacher's union after watching our fellow teachers on local television at a Board meeting. Too many of my fellow teachers were dressed like they were going out to clean someone's house -- old faded jeans, baggy sweatshirts, and those awful black t-shirts with some union message scrawled across the back. In short, they dressed in a totally unprofessional manner.
What a jerk, but I bet you placed your inceaze and bonus in your checking account without one "thank you" to the IEA and hard working teachers who attened the Board meetings. The reason for the dress and news coverage was to force Dr. White's hand and win over Board Members, which we did without help from lack luster teachers who are more worried about how they are "dressed" than teaching. My God what a phony, self-serving, shallow person, who would worry about how they are dressed and than about being a kind and caring educator.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's another topic for discussion -- Does clothing matter? I think it matters quite a bit in how we are perceived and respected by the students, parents, administration, and by the public. I mean, isn't that why other professionals dress professionally? I don't know anything about Indiana Professional Educators, but it was easy to find by Googling. And again, I don't feel like the IEA got me my raise or my bonus. I believe they took the raises and bonuses that would have gone to the best of IPS and forced IPS to spread it equally across the board. And without one thank you to the above-average teachers.
ReplyDeleteThose who are not in the union are running risk. As a teacher who has been under fire of administrators who were taking aim at teachers for their own lack of leadership it was the union who got false evaluations removed (for the union members, I know teachers who they are still out there). It was the union who protected a fellow teacher of false acusation that Dr. Pritchet (then superintendent) wanted his resignation.
ReplyDeleteNon-union members may benifit from the pay and benifit packages. They will not get help when they become targets for no other reason than an administrators is on power kicks.
That does happen. Go to a charter or private school. It happens in those places too.
It does not help that don't deserve it. I was witness to one who was a member and failed his duties. The union refused to help because he was so far out of line.
Yes, the union is something all should belong too. Is is as strong as everyone would hope? The answer is NO! Is is it something that can help when a crisis not of your own fault happens? YES!
But hey just woke up and this is my first opinion on this early morning. Still tired and need coffee before my mind is fully awake. Might come back to this with more later.
I resent the mention up above of tennis shoes.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind dressing up (slacks, polo's, shirts and ties) but when it comes to footwear. I will wear what is comfortable and job proper.
A good teacher rarely sits down and is constantly moving and motivating students to perform better.
I have wore a pedomitor (not sure of spelling) and ended up having over 7-8 miles average per day (work day). I will wear these shoes for comfort and proper footwear. The so called professional footwear is not recommended for those on their feet all day. Ask any foot specialist.
Try loafers or tie-up dress shoes. That's what my husband wears, and he has all kinds of foot problems and has to be on his feet all day for his job. I've been a teacher for years, and I have never worn sneakers to work, nor have I ever worn uncomfortable shoes or heels. There are lots of comfortable professional shoes out there and most of them are cheaper than a decent pair of tennis shoes.
ReplyDeleteWho ever heard of a union that couldn't strike?? What teachers let the policymakers make that law? Unions were neutered decades ago and worker rights are the LOWEST in Indiana rather than in any other state- check it out. While the union seems weak its weak because our policymakers want it that way. But when there is a problem like poor management decisions that screw teachers over like health care benefits, then they BLAME our union. Hell, management doesn't appreciate any of you anyway..so "blame your union." Yeah right. Charter school?? Ha. We keep getting these kids even the week before Christmas break. Way below grade level, some have been out of school days or even weeks. Parents are no where to be found. Still waiting to get that "charter school Einstein student" I keep hearing about on radio and tv. We only see the other ones. I feel for those teachers. It must be tough with the students running the asylum and business people making education decisions based on the bottom line. Love to all my IPS brothers and sisters! You ARE the best and the most dedicated educators. Be a light of hope for your students during this holiday season. We are their best and only help especially now.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to get information on the Indiana Professional Educators. They are next to impossible to contact because their phone number is directed to an answering machine in someone's home. Calls are rarely returned. Often when they are returned, they tell the person that they need to talk with IEA. You get what you pay and with IPE you are probably better off using your dues money for toilet paper.
ReplyDeleteThe ability to strike by "public employees" was destroyed by GOP members in the State House and Washington years ago. Mitch will try again this year to do away with our collective rights and many of you will vote for the anti-education governor. Charter schools are awful, Herron has another opening for a Special Education Teacher, wonder why they can't keep teachers if "the grass is so green"?
ReplyDeleteNo matter what you think about IEA, they will be there if you need them. It is obvious from Dr. White's comments and actions he has no respect for any of his teachers. That attitude is filtering down to the prinicpals. Without the union, if you get an administator that is out to get you, you have no protection whatsoever. Yes, the power of the union is limited. Yet, it still is there to help at a moment's notice when you need it. At #43, a teacher was denied entry into the building, and told she would have to call for a sub, and take 1/2 a day. She was arriving late because of a doctor's appointment. Arrangements had been made for her students, paper work had been filled out, and all of a sudden this was not acceptable, and she was told not to come in. The IEA pres. was there in a flash. No one else will come to your rescue from being mistreated, falsely accused, improperly evaluated and /or written up without reason but just as retaliation. yes, I wish the union could be stronger, but it is up to us to make it that way. If we truly want to improve IPS, then teachers must unite, and take back control! We are the ones that know what will work best for our students! If you are not a member of IEA, I strongly suggest you join. Dr. White has said many times that we must weed out teachers. The problem is who is doing the weeding, and it is not only weeds that are being targeted!!!!!! Remeber, what happens to a fellow teacher, could happen to you next!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnyone who acts as though the union is perfect is biased. Anyone who acts like having no union would be ideal is probably having too much faith in education.
ReplyDeleteI can see some of both sides, and I think any logical person should be able to see both the benefits and drawbacks.
I really think the liability insurance is the main reason for a new teacher to join. It was, at least, for me.
Collective bargaining can lead to good things, but I do think that sometimes collective bargaining puts things to a stalemate. I would not want it to go away entirely without some serious limits placed on what corporations can take away from teachers. Teachers should have some minimum benefits that are protected by the DOE, if they can't be fought against by the union.
Keep in mind, though, that in some schools there is serious pressure to join; in my school, our new teacher orientation was preceded by a free breakfast in which we were STRONGLY URGED by union members to join; other than that, though, I've felt no pressure at all. The teachers in my building don't all belong, by any means. I've never heard of anyone being harassed as a "free ride" or anything like that.
I joined because of the legal support and collective bargaining. IPS is calling in the the "bad teachers" and will try to place them on the sub list. IEA will take care of it's members if the process that was agreed upon was followed by IPS. The other "bad teachers" will have to hire legal counsel or sub until they can retire. I have to laugh, the ones who refuse to join the union are the ones that come running to the AR when the principal writes them up for not doing bus duty.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy professional liability insurance for far less than union dues if that is why you are joining. Years ago when teachers were required to pay "fair share" for negotiating their contracts, Indiana Professional Educators were defended by the Right to Work group. Union dues were only about $30. more than "fair share" even though the "fair share" was just for the cost of the negotiation. After 3 years, the union could only demonstrate that the cost of negotiating the contract was about $167. (for 3 years) which is what the non-union folks paid to the union. Where does all the money go - much of it to political action groups. You do not have to go to work for a charter school if you don't want to join the union - it is not a requirement. Other districts, like Warren, I think...have their own organization of classroom teachers. Several years ago their dues were about $60. a year and they negotiated one of the best contracts around. Also, IPS does carry liablity insurance on teachers, I think.
ReplyDeleteI think teachers should be union members because there is strength in numbers.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it appears to me that union leadership has been pretty weak for many years in IPS. I wonder if it is because most of the union presidents end up back as IPS employees after their terms are over?
I think it would be hard to go to battle with administrators when you know that someday you are going to be working under them again.
I think retired teachers would do better as union heads.
Aso, why are the union leaders so low-profile? We never see them on TV making a case for the teachers to the general public.
Using IPS liability insurance is like putting the fox in charge of the chicken house.
ReplyDeleteHow can one be defended properly against false acusation by and IPS administrator? Especially if IPS is the one flipping the bill for your defense.
The union will come to your defense and is strong when you have false acusations happen. I have seen fellow teachers (friends) who have had to use them. IPS must protect the children first and react on their behalf. That usually means you (the teacher) are left out on your own and distanced from.
It is the union who comes to your defense. Not belonging is risky.
Waite till a parent accuses you of something and downtown machines begins operating. You will wish you belonged to the union. It is easier for them to get rid of you than to properly investigate.
Watching this happen to others has made me appreciate the union for what they do.
Do I wish they were stronger, more upfront, better and negotiating better benifits, etc. YES! Would I drop them? NO!
The protection is worth my money each pay. In my opinion.
IPS will throw a teacher under the bus in a heartbeat. Anyone who relies on IPS for protection is a fool. Also you may have a liability policy on the cheap but by the team you pay an attorney a $5000 retainer to begin your case, you will realize that you have made a major error in judgement. Lastly, the old canard about union dues going for political action is FALSE. This is prohibited by federal law. Voluntary policitcal action contributions fund the PACs. If you know of any case of dues being used for political action then you need to notify the federal officials. Put up or shut up with that old tired line.
ReplyDeleteIf it is true that union dues cannot go to any PAC, then why does one have to indicate that they do NOT wish any of their dues to go to PACs by purposely indicating it? Other professional educator groups offer liability insurance comparable to union protection, by the way. $75. for Indiana Professional Educator insurance.
ReplyDeleteNot complete sure about the cost above but their website can be found under Indiana Professional Educators and it explains the insurance, etc. Looks like the yearly dues are now $107. which includes liability insurance. Also discusses the "free ride" issue re non-union members. At least it might be prudent to check out other options...I distrust the union after the whole investment of payments for long-term disability mess...
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that not many folks seemed concerned about the article in the paper that stated that the Obama administration is giving a lot of money to failing schools to enable them fire their current principals and staff and start over...where is the union in that as supporters of Obama? Someone posted the article a couple of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteI campaigned and voted for Obama, but he has been a disappointment to me in almost every respect, including his education policies.
ReplyDeleteIt is the same kind of punitive, educator-bashing approach to public education that IPS has embraced in recent years.
Obama's education policies have "Republican" written all over them.
I won't vote for him again.
I am a libertarian who is a huge proponent of education reform, and I got into teaching in my 30s for that sole purpose. So obviously I could never join the union. But I hadn't heard about the Indiana Professional Educators. Maybe that would provide some of the benefits of the union without sleeping with the enemy, so to speak!
ReplyDeleteYes, check out their website and read about the liability insurance.
ReplyDeletePlease read more carefully. The form clearly states no dues money goes to political action. It does ask if you want to voluntarily donate to the PAC group. Again it is against federal law to use dues money for political action.
ReplyDelete"I campaigned and voted for Obama, but he has been a disappointment to me in almost every respect, including his education policies." QUOTE
ReplyDeleteI agree. He has not shown me a lot. He's made changes, but they're not necessarily friendly changes for us as teachers. The NEA was a major supporter during his campaign. Where does the union now stand with Obama's educational policies? That is something no one in our union ever mentions.
Earlier in this post, someone mentioned teachers' dress and whether type of dress was important. I believe it is. Teachers who wear blue jeans, tee shirts, and tennis shoes may be neat and clean; however, they're not dressed professionally. When I seek services from a professional, I don't expect to see them dressed like they're going to a ball game or to the grocery store. I prefer my banker, my lawyer, my doctor, and my child's teacher to look like a professional when I arrive at their office/place of business/classroom.
ReplyDeleteDress is important and the reason I brought it into this discussion is because that is one thing I hear about all of the time. That is, how the union made a deal with IPS that teachers can wear what they want. At the same time, it seems ridiculous that we are charged with enforcing a dress code when (some) of us are wearing jeans and untucked polo shirts with tennis shoes. I would further say that if we wish to be seen and treated like professionals, we have to dress the part. Simple as that.
ReplyDeleteAgree...the "This is my uniform till I get a contract" shirts with jeans sent the wrong message to students, I believe.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to dress appropriately but there are some teachers who overdress and set up a barrier between themselves and their students. The students get the perception that that the teacher is trying to show off wealth and is too good to teach them. I hear the students talking about it. It is in poor taste to wear tons of gold jewelry, expensive high heels and designer dresses or suits. Evening wear is for in the evening.
ReplyDeleteI have several pairs of nice jeans, but I do not wear them simply because the students are not allowed to wear jeans. If they can't wear jeans, then why should I flaunt my status as an exempt adult. Kids definitely notice teachers (male and female alike) who wear jeans to school when they aren't allowed.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same principle that keeps me from drinking soft drinks during class time. The students aren't allowed to eat or drink in class, so why should I? What kind of example are we teachers setting when we wear jeans/drink sodas/eat in front of them when the kids can't?
Guess, I am one of the poor teachers we are speaking of here.
ReplyDeleteWhile I only wear jeans on pay day and still usually still have a dress shirt and tie on. I wear tennis shoes all the time at school no matter my attire. I find them more comfortable than dress shoes, loafers, and other shoes.
I also do have drinks in the classroom helpful for my dry throat. The teacher is the one speaking, directing, helping, moving a round. I find my throat getting irritated and become thirsty. I am required to be in the hall way (at my door during the passing period). I don't get a chance to go to the water fountain or restroom. My drink will remain, Thank You.
You are probably one of the hipacritical (sorry, no spell check here) teachers who speak about soda but have coffee in hand. There is no difference.
It is bad enough that I have gotten in trouble for using the restroom during passing period instead of being at my door two years ago.
Now you want to be critical. My kids perform. Professional attire does not make a good teacher. The students and parents will perform and respect you depending on how you treat them and educate them. They will know if you have their best interest in mind or not.
I tell my students this. "I have worked hard to attain these rights. You are working for those rights. Just as in households kids dont' always have the rights of the parents it is the same here. You must grow and learn to attain the benifits of adults. That is your ultimate goal."
If you think teachers and educators are on the same level of rights you are wrong. We have been through college and other training to attain our rights. When students do that. They can be on the same level of rights as a educator.
By the way. It is early morning and getting ready to head in. So, not totally awake. Sorry about any grammar or spelling errors. Before the police come in. (I need my morning Coke fix!)
Adults earn privileges that children have not. Adults can drink and buy cigarettes [not at schoo9l]but it is illegal for children to do so. Adults can drive cars. Most children cannot. Adults can vote. Children cannot. Welcome to the real world.
ReplyDeleteIf it was universal that kids dressed up and adults dressed down, I'd agree with the "adults earn privileges" concept. But most professionals dress much nicer than most students. So it comes across like IPS teachers are not real professionals. And I disagree that students don't relate to professionals. On the contrary, I think if we don't see ourselves as real professionals, they can't possibly be expected to respect us as such. I know that the blogmaster really has an issue with White's red shoes, but at least that's some attempt at dressing up and looking special. Jeans and sneakers really make a negative statement in my opinion. (Now I will admit that the teacher above who says his students perform well -- then fine, be the exception. But in my experience, rarely are the casually dressed teachers the ones with the well-performing classes. I do think professional dress often makes a difference.)
ReplyDeleteDrinking anything but water in front of the students when they aren't allowed to as well makes you a hypocrite (I looked it up in the dictionary). I believe the same goes for wearing jeans or not tucking in your shirt. If you want them to follow you, then set an example.
ReplyDeleteAs for wearing ties...I work in a building with no air conditioning, so I rarely wear a tie, except when it's cool or cold. But then the heat turns on and soon it's too hot to wear a tie and I take it off. Also, the only other man who wears a tie in my building is an administrator and don't like being mistaken for one of those.
As for shoes, there are plenty of comfortable shoes that feel like athletic wear but look professional enough for school. We're not lawyers, we're teachers and we should look like professional educators who work with children, not hippies or college students.
This talk about drinking fluids, bathroom breaks, clothing.....
ReplyDeleteI believe that schools are really unhealthy places to be a student and to be a teacher. The premise is that human beings can control their bodily needs as to the frequency, necessity, of visiting the bathroom. Also, my kid (I am not a teacher) comes home from school dehydrated almost every day because there are not enough opportunities for him to hydrate. Our personal doctor agreed that this is a problem in schools.
Teachers being forced to restrict bathroom opportunities and to impede students being hydrated puts them in a position of being forced to compromise the health of the kids (and themselves).
Why not allow kids and teachers to wear clothes that are comfortable? How does that impede education? As long as the clothes are not dirty and the dress style is not sloppy (underwear showing, etc.) then what difference does it make?
Thankfully, my kid attends school in a district in which there is no uniform requirement. He dresses casually and comfortably.
Make schools more "human health and comfort friendly" and kids won't dislike going to them nearly as much. School would also be more humane to teachers and others who work in the buildings.
Really the way school is "done" hasn't changed much in 50 years. These kids aren't like kids who grew up in the 1950s, so why force them to sit for hours in uncomfortable chairs in classrooms listening to a teacher lecture - restricting their trips to the bathroom and opportunities to hydrate and perhaps even to have a little snack to keep their blood sugar level?
The way school is "done" in 2009 needs to be drastically overhauled to better meet the needs and reduced attention spans of kids of this era.
[Why not allow kids and teachers to wear clothes that are comfortable?]
ReplyDeleteComfortable to one student or teacher is not comfortable for another student or teacher. Being comfortably dressed is relative.
Prior to a uniform code of dress for students, I remember female high school students wearing baggy flannel pajama bottoms to school because they were "comfortable" and warm. The pj's were clean, their undies were not showing; however, they were still dressed inappropriately! By the way, their moms would show up at school dressed in pajama bottoms, also.
Actually, there is such a thing as being "too comfortable" which leads to a laxness in personal discipline and personal behavior.
The same goes for professional dress. What is seen as professional is not for others. I think this is what we have here.
ReplyDeleteDress does not matter to me. What happens in my kids classroom is more important. I have seen teachers dressed like they work in the White House perform poorly and those who just came off the gym floor oustandingly with my children.
What amazes me (as a parent). It is the ones who talk about dress, rules, and rigid other teachers who are the most poor ones I came across. My two kids in college now (GRAD from Tech and Manual) are great learners because of the ill dressed professionals. I thank them from now till I die for that.
Maybe those who talk about dress for others instead of paying attention to their own classrooms will take these professionally poorly dressed lead.
Today at the staff meeting, our AR was supposed to present on the SBDM manual. She was completely unprepared, so the principal let her go last. During other people's presentations, she RUDELY left the library several times and carried on conversations with other people. Mind you, these other presentations contained information she needed. Then, when presenting the SBDM info, she didn't explain anything; I guess we're all supposed to have the manual memorized and understand what she is talking about when she says, "Change October to February in section 2 paragraph 3".
ReplyDelete