Stay in the classroom and teach

Word that the Tumwater Teacher’s Union is calling a one-day strike on May 22 to protest lack of funding by the legislature was the last straw for me.

Our educational system is shot.    When unions control the agenda.  When unions control the personnel.   When unions control the entire educational system – – it’s the kids that get left out.

I suspect that teachers spend less time in the classroom teaching now –  then at any time in our history of public education.

Schools are funded by the state for the number of days they teach.   There’s no definition of “day”.   That’s why schools have late start days – – for the benefit of the teachers.   The kids get less class time.    That’s why schools have early release days – – for the benefit of the teachers.   The kids get less class time.   There are many ways that teachers spend less time in the classroom and it’s all organized by the unions.

How do kids continue to learn?

Teachers pile on loads of homework – – significantly more homework than at any previous time in our public education system.   That works fine if parents are able to devote the necessary time to helping their children.

But, parents aren’t teachers.   Only teachers can teach.

That’s why teachers should stay in the classroom and teach.

(I know the strike day will be made up at the end of the year, but we all know that no learning is done the last day of school.)