One striking phenomenon revealed by the Denver negotiations was a generational split among teachers. Younger teachers were generally in favor the deal being offered, and older teachers tended to oppose it. (Some veteran teachers told the Denver Post that they felt "dissed.")
A similar generational divide has appeared in D.C., where, as the Washington Post reported last month ...
The split in the teaching corps largely, but not exclusively, is occurringThe Post story mentioned an anonymous young teacher-blogger, "D.C. Teacher Chic," who is a fan of Chancellor Rhee and is decidedly in favor of her new deal (under which teachers could choose a "green plan" that would trade tenure for a higher salary or a more traditional "red plan"). Her blog—often funny, usually outraged—offers a great insight into the mind of a teacher on the young side of this growing generational divide.
along generational lines, with younger teachers more willing to accept the risks
and older ones often questioning the proposal.
At the beginning of August, when it seemed that George Parker, the president of the D.C. teachers union local, was going to turn down Rhee's offer, D.C. Teacher Chic blew a gasket:
I am going to cry. Seriously. And then I am going to start looking for another
school system.I cannot believe George Parker is supporting scraping this entire
contract and going for a more "traditional agreement." Clearly, not only does he
not represent me, but he is also taking money right out of my pocket!I
understand that shitty teachers who have been working in the system since 1952
don't want to give up tenure. Fine. I get it. So choose the red plan! I don't
understand opposing the entire proposal, unless you just haven't read it.
No comments:
Post a Comment