Get Schooled

By OldSchool

November 18, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this

I have belonged to PAGE almost from its inception (I joined a year or two after it was started). Why? Georgia is a right to work state and I’d like to see it stay that way. When I was a member of GAE (then GEA) I by default was a member of NEA. Both the state and national organizations support PACs and collective bargaining. I do not.

I could no more walk out of my classroom to strike for higher wages or anyother reason than I could fly to the moon in my ‘72 VW. I’m in it for the long haul.

So far, PAGE has been very supportive of me and my own issues as a vocational (now CTAE) teacher. GAE just wanted my money.

By RF

November 18, 2005 11:45 AM | Link to this

I agree. PAGE seems to be more active and more teacher oriented. They’re protesting loudly the mess with open enrollment and the insurance surcharges. I haven’t heard a word from GAE, and they’re a lot more expensive every month.

By GW

November 18, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this

GAE always wanted a big chunk of money to pour down the drain of a drowning and ineffective national organization. I belong to PAGE but I don’t think it is particularly effective. I do think PAGE is operated by people that have genuine feelings about education in Georgia. The only thing that has ever really united teachers was Roy Barnes. Sonny is trying to do the same! I’d hate to count on GAE or PAGE in a situation like Youngblood’s.

By Robert

November 18, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this

Here is a clue….. MACE!!! MACE is a true “union” for teachers only. It is the only organization by teachers and for teachers. PACE was started to support administration - teachers are an after thought. GAE does nothing year after year except take your money.

MACE will help teachers when needed. MACE has lawyers. MACE has picketed many schools where teachers have been mistreated. I spend money to join MACE, and refuse to be a part of GAE or PACE.

Go to theteachersadvocate.com for more information.

By Robert

November 18, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this

Sorry guys, rather than PACE I meant PAGE. PAGE is a group started for administrators. Teachers will always lose out to administrators in the eyes of PAGE.

By Robert

November 18, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this

By the way, MACE is a local “union”. It stands for Metro Atlanta Classroom Educators. Their sole function is to support teachers.

If a principal misuses a teacher, MACE will support the teacher. If a student attacks a teacher, MACE will support the teacher. If a parent harrasses the teacher, MACE will support the teacher. If a teacher gets fired for wrong reasons or for false reasons, MACE will support the teacher.

The lawyers for your school system and also at PAGE are interested in protecting the “system” and administrators. They will quickly let a teacher die-on-the-vine if a sacrifical lamb is needed.

By Robert

November 18, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this

Old School, IMHO, a right to work state is really a mask. The true wording is a “right to fire for any reason” state.

In Georgia, a good employee can go to work and do their job well. If their boss doesn’t like the part in that employees hair that day, he can fire that employee for no other reason. This is what a “right to work” state really means. That employee has no leg to stand on in court or otherwise because GA is a “right to work state.”

By wheredoweturn

November 18, 2005 12:25 PM | Link to this

I am an advocate for teachers and I’m all for teachers having representation; heavens knows someone should be in their corner, but there are also bad teachers out there – teachers who should not be in the classroom with students. When parents have a serious conflict with a teacher and their child is in trouble or a child’s rights have been violated; where do you turn?

Suppose all avenues have been exhausted with administrators – principals are only going to do so much because although they will try to appease parents, they don’t want to admit wrongdoing because of the possibility of a lawsuit. Where should a parent turn? Teachers get the unions to back them up, unions like GAE to fight their battles for them to keep them in the classroom even if they are in the wrong. Sometimes the only recourse for a parent is to take it into the courts or outside the system to the Professional Standards Commission. If a teacher’s certification is threatened, then someone sits up and takes notice. Even then, unless parents have legal representation, administrators and school boards will keep referring the problem, no matter the seriousness, back to the school and the principal hoping it will go away.

Maybe, parents need to form a union to support and go to the mat for them. There are a lot of parents out there – we are definitely a force to be reckoned with…

By teacher

November 18, 2005 12:43 PM | Link to this

wheredoweturn: haven’t you been paying attention, in GA we don’t have teachers’ unions to fight any battles for us. GAE and PAGE are not unions.

By high school teacher

November 18, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

I only pay dues to PAGE because it’s so much cheaper than GAE. I only do that because of the liability protection and legal assistance that’s supposed to be there if I should need it. However, in 14 years, I have received no benefit at all from being a member

By RF

November 18, 2005 12:52 PM | Link to this

There’s no direct benefit except liability from either one. If we ever unionize, we’ll have real bargaining power, but I don’t see that coming any time soon. Stay away from MACE. Way too radical and not nearly as important as they want to think they are. YOu can save your money.

By HSTeach

November 18, 2005 01:05 PM | Link to this

PAGE - cheaper…..not going to lie..i don’t have a lot of $ to play around with, and the liability insurance they provide is worth it…….

By Robert

November 18, 2005 01:10 PM | Link to this

MACE has the same or better benefits compared to PAGE. And, the cost is the same. And, MACE supports teachers only, not administrators.

By original high school teacher

November 18, 2005 01:14 PM | Link to this

I belong to GAE because I have had colleagues with PAGE who did not have much success in getting representation when necessary. With regard to price and PAGE being cheaper, remember that you get what you pay for. Liability insurance is like any other insurance; it’s worth it when you truly need it. There are tons of benefits with GAE. Each year when I get my membership card I also get a booklet listing establishments that offer discounts to GAE members; hotels, restaruants, etc.

By J.G.

November 18, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

GAE is a warchest for the Democratic party and every liberal cause in America. PAGE is almost non existant for teachers.

By RF

November 18, 2005 02:16 PM | Link to this

Robert- I worked in Clayton for a LONG time and know Trotter’s history. Don’t count on the promises that organization makes. They’re way too radical and impulsive to be safe. All they do to ‘support’ teachers is little boycotts for press attention. I haven’t seen anything more than talk from them.

By Zoe

November 18, 2005 02:24 PM | Link to this

I belong to GAE because it is affiliated with the NEA. My parents are both long time NEA members and I like NEA’s stances on the national level. I especially like NEA’s criticisms of NCLB.

By GA Educator

November 18, 2005 02:25 PM | Link to this

I used to be a member of GAE…until I recieved NO SUPPORT FROM THEM after my administrator had me written up for violating the district’s attendance policy (never mind the fact that I was pregnant and had doctor’s orders to be on bed rest from time to time).

GAE’s response to me when I asked for assistance was basically to quit and work in another district. In addition, when this same administrator wrote up 95% of the staff on attendance violations THE DAY OF THE TEACHER TRANSFER FAIR (so that no teachers could transfer) GAE did much of nothing.

By Spec Ed Teacher

November 18, 2005 02:33 PM | Link to this

I am a member of GAE/NEA. Special Ed is controlled at the federal level so being part of a national organization is important. I rarely agree with who they support in elections so I don’t contribute to PAC. I have taught in many other states, some where we fought for collective bargaining and with NEA’s considerable support we won. I have also had local NEA organizations serve as representatives in collective bargaining. I know if I have a problem and need help my local GAE chapter will help me. GAE is the only organization dealing with the fact that many special ed teachers especially at the HS level will no longer be qualified to teach even if they’ve been teaching 20 yrs unless they take and pass tests. This goes in effect Aug 31, 2006. The state waited until Sept before they released information on ways teachers could become “highly qualified.” I’ll stick with the organization that has always provided support in the past and is supporting me know.

By oldteacher

November 18, 2005 02:44 PM | Link to this

I am a member of GAE. GAE was there for me the year our system lost some Title money because of incompetence at the Central Office level. Then CO decided that those of us who did the federal programs were suddenly federal employees. I called GAE and then all I had to do was mention that fact and suddenly they made a mistake.

I have also seen coworkers who belong to PAGE not represented up front.

By Dick

November 18, 2005 02:48 PM | Link to this

PAGE and GAE is a waste of hard earned money. They never have been, never will be nothing more than initials being used to spell something.

By G

November 18, 2005 03:26 PM | Link to this

I was a GAE member for 28 years. I didn’t go with PAGE because GAE’s liability insurance is far better than PAGE’s (in spite of PAGE’s claims that they’re equivalent; they are most certainly NOT); it’s more expensive to belong to GAE, but if you need the liability coverage, you’re far better off with GAE’s.

I also do not like PAGE’s philsosphies on several points, and I have a grudge against them over they way they knuckled under meekly to the worst of Roy Barnes’ Education Deform initiatives. At least GAE stood their ground; they’ve been excellent educational advocates for decades, and PAGE has been mediocre at best.

On the other hand, I don’t particularly care for GAE’s affiliation with the nut cases of the NEA national, but I understand the need for large group negotiation and purchasing power for insurances and other benefits available for GAE members through NEA.

I don’t think you’ll see walkouts or picketing in Georgia under the aegis of GAE or PAGE. Georgia just isn’t that kind of place. So far.

By sp

November 18, 2005 03:55 PM | Link to this

I also belong to GAE primarily because of liability insurance. They have, however, supported teachers—including getting lawyers involved—on a number of occasions at my school when dealing with administrators. I teach in a school district with a lot of capricious, political, and incompetent administrators, and I would not feel safe at all without some kind of legal back-up given some of their antics. In addition, some of the things that NEA pushes, like collective bargaining, I support.

By Lisa

November 18, 2005 04:07 PM | Link to this

I am a member of GAE. GAE is the only professional organization in Georgia that stands up for teachers in all arenas — the local school board, the legislature, and other government agencies. GAE has been the only professional organization testifying before the Department of Community Health about the problems with the open enrollment and new provider for the State Health plan. GAE was the only professional organization to request the Professional Standards Commission hold a hearing about the new certification procedures for Special Education teachers. The hearing was held and GAE was there to testify and GAE leaders have met with PSC officials as recently as November 1, 2005 to find answers to questions and concerns of GAE members who are special education teachers. At the recent GAE convention in Macon, representatives from the PSC attended a Special Education forum and answered the questions of educators.

My local affiliate of GAE is the Organization of Dekalb Educators. ODE has had speakers at every Dekalb Budget Hearing since 1998. Neither PAGE nor MACE has spoken at these hearings. ODE has worked to gain approval of a sick leave bank for Dekalb employees, an added step on the certified teacher salary schedule, passage of an adoption leave policy, granting of full credit for previous teaching experience, and most recently - the inclusion of sick leave balances on pay stubs for all employees. ODE is also very active in the community. The first two Saturdays of the school year Dekalb Rocs at Midway Park and a Back to School Rally at Bethune Middle School featured storytellers and face painting by ODE members, as well as, providing school supplies to children and books through the Read-to-Me Dekalb program. Last May, ODE gave 38 scholarships to graduating seniors in Dekalb, the previous year the count was 24. ODE has several community engagement projects including a new one targeted to Hispanic families in Dekalb and the organization has adopted several schools in Dekalb.

ODE and GAE offer members much more than legal services or liability insurance. They are professional organizatoins that allow teachers to grow professionally through Staff Development, become more involved in the community, and become more involved politically. ODE and GAE are active, assertive advocates for all educators — including paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers.

I am a proud member of ODE-GAE-NEA. ODE is advocating for excellence in Dekalb. GAE is the faces on the front line.

Many of you may not be aware, November 13-19, 2005 is American Education Week. The theme is A Strong America Starts with Strong Public Schools. There have been activities for different groups of educators all week. Without strong public schools and strong professional teachers organizations like ODE-GAE-NEA, our future is bleak. Children are our future and they don’t have the power to advocate in their best interest. ODE-GAE-NEA members have chosen to advocate not only for themselves but for children, as well.

By GA Educator

November 18, 2005 04:28 PM | Link to this

You’re right, it is National Education Week. Our PTA had a wonderful breakfast catered for us today and our principal let us leave 30 minutes earlier than normal (as soon as the buses left).

It’s not much, but I appreciated the gesture. Some administrators elsewhere didn’t even acknowledge this week.

By HS Science

November 18, 2005 04:47 PM | Link to this

MACE. I worked with Mr. Trotter for several years before I began teaching, fighting the same issues in the Atlanta area. Once I started teaching MACE was my choice. In all of the names PAGE, GAE and PACE, “A” is for association and not union. The economics teachers can go further with the difference.

I’m with MACE because I am a classroom teacher. All being even down to problems that come due to aministration, I want support from someone that only deals with teachers.

By Laf

November 18, 2005 05:45 PM | Link to this

Approxiately thirty years ago many school officials became concerned about the power of the GAE and its parent the NEA. Visions of strikes, pickets, and collective bargaining danced in their minds. The horrors of teacher power became very frightening. To dismantle this wave of radical teacher power our wonderful administrators managed to assist in the birth of a more peaceful, cooperative teacher organization called PAGE. It was marketed by administrators as a cheaper alternative to the GAE and it had no connections with a big bad labor union like the NEA. Sweet little teachers had no business associateing with such unprofessional organizations as labor unions and collective bargaining. Of course teachers accepted this garbage hook, line, and sinker. Administrator mission accomplished: Teacher Power Dismantled. Now we have three weak professional teacher organizations. Teachers and students are at the mercey of the powers to be. We wonder why so many of our capable college students end up being doctors, lawyers, nurses, and accountants.

By Lee

November 21, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this

As noted previously, PAGE, GAE, et al are Associations - not unions. They really have no power except the power of persuasion. They probably do okay with administrative type issues. However, many administrators deal with these folks on a regular basis and I think like to play games with them - see how far they can push things.

My advice to all teachers is to do some homework in advance and find a good lawyer with experience in education / employment issues. GAE provides a list of lawyers on their webpage and PAGE probably does as well. The time to find a lawyer is now, before you need them.

Then, heaven forbid, you find yourself in a situation in which your career, reputation, and livlihood are in jeopardy, you can act quickly to get things settled and not waste valuable time going around trying to find a lawyer that you are comfortable with.

It’s amazing how quickly a Superintendent, who was giving GAE/PAGE the runaround, will change their tune when they get that first letter from your attorney…

By Barbara Adams

November 21, 2005 08:45 AM | Link to this

I am a member of GAE primarily because of their association with NEA. I have seen what they can do in other states where there is collective bargaining as well as their influence at the national level. It seems that teachers are seldom thought seriously at the state level-particularly since Zell Miller’s time. Consider that I have 20 years and the state sees no reason to even give me a step increase-let alone a decent raise-what does that say about my value in the state’s eyes?Every teacher needs to join so we truly can be heard.

By dar

November 21, 2005 08:51 AM | Link to this

At one time GAE was the only organization available and it was controlled by school administrators. A man by the name of Hodges was the Executive Officer. PAGE was born under the following circumstances; Gov. Jimmy Carter had proposed one half of one percent for a teacher payraise.

Among some grumbling, Hodges announced that teachers understood times were hard financially and were willing to forego a larger increase in their salaries.

Several things occured afterwards:

Teachers did protest in Atlanta and there were about 5,000 of them present, although the AJC played it down saying there were about 2,000.

The problem was, that Hodges was out of touch with his membership and was soon disposed.

Along with him, when a new slate of officers were due to be elected, the teachers voted the administrators out of office and control and voted themselves in.

At that point, PAGE was created by administrators and a few idealists classroom teachers.

The only teachers who can afford to say that striking is “unprofessional” are those who don’t need the additional money in the first place.

By Lynda

November 21, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this

When National Board Certification was new in Georgia, many administrators were against it because it allowed teachers to advance their careers outside of adminstrative control. GAE was the ONLY group supporting those of us who chose to pursue National Board. Not PAGE, not our principals, not our school systems—although later they all jumped on the bandwagon with loud fanfare. I’ve been an NEA member since the first day of my first teaching job in the 1970s, and I won’t forget that it was GAE who supported my efforts to advance my career.

By Transplant

November 21, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this

As a “transplant” from a northern part of the country, I have been a member of unions and know the national, state and local influence of the AFL-CIO, NEA, AFT, UFT. I’ve found here in Georgia, people are more “laid back” and fearful of the “big bad unions”. When we realize there is strength in unity and our isolated issues are not isolated issues. I have taught in four different states and teacher issues are the same all over. Yea, you pay more money but you get more for your money. Things like professional respect and dignity are hard to give a pricetag. The sad thing is most don’t know when they are being taken advantage of. For example an administrator stated “Your job is what I say it is. The Professional Standards Commission covers this in your contract.” Did I mention he is a member of PAGE? I will spend my money on the organization that supports and pushes for teacher issues, and where I see the most positive changes for those of us in education.

By Dan Powers

November 21, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this

PAGE is a sham. It was was created by disaffected administrators who no longer could control the “teachers” in GAE/NEA. They created a “do nothing” organization, offered low dues to poorly paid teachers and did nothing (and and continue to do nothing for public education). PAGE and its national affiliate is in bed with right-wing organizations thoughout the United States, some of which actually advocate the dismantling of the Public Schools. The have a neo con agenda that is thinly veiled a an educator advocacy group. PAGE rarely works for causes that will benefit education and when the administrators who run this shabby organization occasionally see that they once again missed the boat on the educational-polical issues of the day they will shamelessly take credit for the positive activities that GAE has worked diligently to accomplish. PAGE is beneath contempt as a public education advocacy group. I repeat, they are a sham.

By G.W.Tibbetts

November 21, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this

I’m a lifetime member of GAE and proud of it. I’ve watched Page work against the passage of legislation that could only help all educators but was opposed by some administrator because it would cost money or that it was opposed by Boards of Education. Page opposed health insurance be cause boards were recieving kickbacks from insurance companies. Page opposed legislation to give educators Maternity Leave, Jury Duty Leave, Pay for Unused Sick Leave at retirement, Accumulation of Unused Sick Leave, Reason being given for temination of experienced educators and on and on. Most of the reasons for opposing was done by the Exexcutive Director without asking any members or considering the long term consequences. Anyone who has been at the capital of Georgia knows. Page stands around while GAE works. The same is true when it comes to representing educators in time of trouble and proving for their needs. It cost but it is worth it at all levels,Local, State and National. Go GAE!

By Sid Chapman

November 21, 2005 11:47 AM | Link to this

As President of the second largest local in GAE, Clayton County Education Association (CCEA), I can tell you there is a great difference in the organizations. First, I started my career as a member of PAGE and found out the hard way that they were not interested in helping out their members through difficult times-at least they didn’t help me very much-I joined because it was cheaper—and cheaper was what I got!

I have found since my involvement with GAE/NEA that these organizations (unions) are busily trying to improve public education. I have traveled all of the US and found that NEA is working on public education issues at all levels. Teachers, support professionals, and most importantly the children are the top priority of these fine organizations from the national to the local levels.

What really concerns me is that so many educators are willing to sit back and let opportunities for change to take place. GAE is on the frontline everyday, fighting for educators in GA. Though you may not pay a dime of dues, you benefit from GAE’s work. When PAGE sided with Gov. Barnes and teachers lost fair dismissal rights, it was the GAE locals that started on the local level to have fair dismissal—CCEA was the first in Georgia to do so. It was GAE that fought to get it back statewide. GAE has been at the health insurance hearings—and have been the only organization to speak! GAE has offered forums for special ed teachers to meet the highly qualified status required for certification under the so-called No Child Left Behind Act. The list goes on and on.

Whether you are a member or not, as an educator you benefit from GAE—NEA. Your child benefits and society benefits in general from GAE-NEA.

It is time that the public understands who is really working on behalf of public education—-I assure you—it is GAE/NEA and its many local affiliates!

By Willie Allen

November 21, 2005 12:56 PM | Link to this

As President of GAE’s Student Program, I find the organization to be a valuable tool in the production of effective teachers. The organization achieves these goals by offering various Professional Development workshops,Praxis I and II workshops,and by giving the student educators of Georgia the opportunity to be heard. GAE has taken the Student program under it’s wings and has given an enormous amount of support to the Student Program. For the students of Georgia, GAE is much more than Liability Insurance. This organization avbocates for teachers, administrators, ESP, Retired, and the student members. GAE is the one and only true advocate for education in the state of Georgia. What is PAGE!! It does not exist in my mind.

By Kimberly

November 21, 2005 02:11 PM | Link to this

I don’t know about this “new” MACE program for teachers, but if you have to criticize and degrade your “opponents” to get membership then you are not setting a good example for educators.

I have been a member of GAE since undergrad. I have served as an officer within the campus organization as well as the SGAE executive board. Therefore, I know GAE gives and provides for their members beyond the dues they pay. In order for anyone to receive “all the benefits” you must be assertive. If it had not been for SGAE/GAE I would not be active in politics; I would not know my legal standing as an educator; I would not even know what children/students actually need let alone what I can do as an educator that is beyond my salary. SGAE/GAE has/is doing an outstanding job on behalf of students, teachers, administrators and every one. So don’t pass judgment on an organization just for recruitment!

By John R. A. Trotter, Ed.D., J.D.

November 21, 2005 03:09 PM | Link to this

As the principal founder of MACE, I think that I can speak with a little authority about the mission of MACE. The Metro Association of Classroom Educators (MACE) was founded to protect and empower classroom educators. Period. Even as a young teacher in the public schools of Georgia, I saw the disrespect and complete lack of regard that many administrators had for teachers. This upset me greatly. In fact, it made me mad! I began my doctoral program at UGA in Educational Administration at the age of 26 and was an administrator at a fairly large high school at 27. I was always determined to respect teachers and to esteem them for the often thankless job that they do. I came from a whole line of teachers and administrators — and I can assure you that the Trotter administrators always supported the teachers. We have always understood that you cannot have good learning conditions until you first have good teaching conditions. They are inextricably linked. While in the doctoral program at UGA, I conducted a content analysis study (two full years on the dissertation) of what teachers like and dislike about teaching. I taught in several Georgia school systems and was an administrators in a couple of Georgia school systems. At MACE, I think that we have a keener understanding of the issues with which teachers grapple daily. These issues are fundamentally the same wherever teachers are highly frustrated. Let me throw these out there, OK? Issue Number One: Angry and abusive administrators. Teachers are so tired of the browbeating that comes from top-down, heavy-handed administrators who often use the evaluative process in a punitive, retributive, and manipulative manner to exercise control over the teacher or to set up the teacher for a corporate execution. Administrators these days are so unhappy and miserable that I think they want company. Misery does indeed like company. School systems are Corporations Writ Large, and, as such, the corporation by-and-large promotes non-threatening kiss-ups. I’m sorry, but this is the truth. There’s no real leadership in the schools these days. A person is not a leader just because someone designates that person as “the leader.” If no one is happily following that “leader,” then there is no leadership. The Second Issue: Irate and irresponsible parents. There is no on-the-job-training manual for parenting. Many parents of today’s school children have abdicated their responsibilities as parents. They apparently see their roles as “bouncers” against little Johnny’s teachers if little Johnny’s teachers do not praise his brilliance in academe and his exemplary comportment. These irate and irresponsible parents raise unholy heck in the schools and scare the administration. MACE understands this. MACE’s role is to have the administration more concerned about MACE’s response than little Johnny’s parents’ action. Do you see, R.F., one of the roles of the “little boycotts”? R. F., if one of these irate and irresponsble parents leveled outrageous, scandalous, and false charges against you, threatening your professional career, you would probably want MACE to do one of its “impulsive” pickets, right? But, we couldn’t help you and save your career because you are not a MACE member. You could call GAE or PAGE, but they may be too busy attending a budget hearing or taking legislators to lunch. No, working a 12-hour shift in an emergency room is not as glamrous as rubbing shoulders with the governor. Meanwhile, another dedicated but vulnerable classroom educator falls victim to the unfounded charges of these irate and irresponsible parents who, because they know that they have failed their children in child-rearing, are willing to believe any fanciful story that their children offer to them as an excuse for their own failures in school. This brings us to the last of the Silent Triad of Problems in the Public Schools of Georgia (maybe I’ll write a book on this): Defiant and Disruptive Students. Shhh. No one is supposed to address this. No, the emporer is really not naked. Some students in Georgia are doing splendidly. However, many other “students” attend the Georgia schools with no intention of learning. They bring no motivation to learn to school. The educrats want to treat this as a technical breakdown. However, it is a motivational breakdown. These educrats think that teachers need more training, they need to be more “highly qualified,” they need more useless and inane staff development courses. No, this is not the problem. Teachers can be required to provide written assessments on each student each week, be required to hold mandatory tutorials after school, be required to call the parents daily, be required to send home weekly “progress” reports, be requied to offer make-up sessions, etc., but as long as little Johnny is too lazy to even bring a book to class (not to mention a pencil and paper) and he insists on sleeping in class, there is not a thing that little Johnny’s teacher can do to make him learn. He first has to WANT to learn. The teacher can teach little Johnny, but he/she cannot learn little Johnny. That is even bad English. At MACE, we do not pretend to be all things to all people. We are not like Sears-Roebuck. We are more like a Best Buy or a Radio Shack. We do not pretend to have 40,000 or 65,000 members. (Of course, I worked on staff at GAE for six years, and I am aware of the “puffing” game that takes place in the bragging about membership numbers.) We just protect and empower each teacher one member at a time. We provide more personal service. We return phone calls promptly. We probably file more grievances on behalf of teachers than GAE and PAGE combined. The people at GAE and PAGE are nice people. I do not have a problem with them. But, they simply do not want to admit that you have a built-in conflict-of-interest when you try to represent both the teachers and the administrators at the same time. For example, a teacher in South Georgia just switched from GAE to MACE last month because in his grievance hearing, the Superintendent informed the GAE UniServ Director that he had a “problem” because she too was a GAE member. The GAE rep just sort of hung his head and said, “I think that you know that I will be fair.” If he were a lawyer, he would be disbarred for trying to represent both sides. When MACE goes into a grievance hearing, a termination hearing, a non-renewal hearing, a suspension hearing, or a reprimand hearing, we know whose side we are on. We know, without a doubt, for whom we are fighting. GAE and PAGE cannot say that. MACE is not a tea and crumpet organization. We do not sponsor spelling bees nor do we do all of the “feel good” stuff of which Lisa spoke. We do not give out tote bags to teachers. We have never met an administrator who is afraid of a tote bag or a spelling bee. Now, when Roy Barnes threatened the entire teaching profession by removing due process rights for teachers, MACE stormed the Capitol like peasants with pitchforks. We picketed for several days, garnering print and electronic coverage. In fact, it was the MACE Brigade picketing the Capitol grounds which first gave Roy the moniker, “King Roy.” Don Balfour, in the State Senate, actually borrowed that nickname for Roy while MACE was still picketing Roy outside the Capitol and addressed Roy as “King Roy” in the Senate chamber.
MACE tries to warn its members on its web site (www.theteahersadvocate.com) about the “Needs Improvement” status of the administrators in the state. We have to constantly upgrade this evaluation list. We guarantee members an aggressive defense in any job-action hearing. We assist teachers with letters and rebuttals. And, sometimes because of our “radical” reputation, all it takes to take care of a teacher’s situation is a call from me or from a staff attorney. So, we let GAE and PAGE be GAE and PAGE. We do not try to mimic these organizaitons. They do some good things. We at MACE just know that we are better than any other organization at what we do, viz., backing off an angry and abusive administrator from a teacher’s case. Usually, this angry and abusive administrator is either power-tripping or is too spineless to stand up to the irate and irresponsible parents or too lazy to address the antics of the defiant and disruptive “student.” These are really the substantive issues which the teachers address on a systematic basis. These are the issues which MACE is not afraid to address and does not grow weary in addressing. No other group has the fortitude nor the inclination to address these “silent” issues. At addressing these issues, no other organization comes even close to MACE. Thanks for your time, John R. A. Trotter, Ed.D., J.D., Executive Director, Metro Association of Classroom Educators.

By Another Sp Ed teacher

November 21, 2005 03:18 PM | Link to this

I have been a member of Gae since moving to Ga. I was a member of NEA before that. I feel that you only get what you pay for. If you want better service be prepared to pay extra. Not only are there high school Sp. Ed. teachers that are no longer qualified to teach but there are Sp Ed teachers on every level that were qualified last year but not this. Is this fair? GAE and NEA are out there fighting for my rights. Where are the others? I will stay with GAE as long as I teach in Ga. I will stay with NEA even after I retired. We need someone to stand up for us!

By Gunny

November 21, 2005 04:18 PM | Link to this

I have been a proud member of MACE for a decade now, and I can attest to its worth as an organization to assist teachers in Georgia. I would not teach without the backing of Dr. John Trotter and MACE. I know of no other man with the courage that Dr. Trotter shows daily on behalf of the teachers who are MACE members. The sacrifice of time and effort on his part has resulted in losses, both financially and personally. He has devoted a goodly portion of his life to helping those who need help in education, teachers, against those who need to be helped out of education, administrators. Had Dr. Trotter turned his interests in a selfish direction, he could easily have made a profitable career as a lawyer or could have achieved remarkable success in the realm of politics. Instead, he remains on 24-7 call for any MACE teacher who is mistreated in the course of attempting to teach the children entrusted to his/her care by the State of Georgia. I do not want my monthly dues to go for a small number of elite members to roll around the country partying with political big-wigs who could care less about the classroom teacher. I want my monthly dues to be used in the on-going effort, seemingly only by MACE, to protect teachers from being scapegoated by administrators who need a smoke screen to obscure their incompetency.

Because I dared a decade ago to refuse to allow a particular assistant principal’s precious paraprofessional to bully me, I was targeted and my professional life made a living hell. County officials only paid lip service to my predicament. The very day I was going to the County Office to submit my resignation, I ran into Dr. Trotter in my school’s mailroom. Within thirty minutes I joined MACE, and within a month my predicament had changed from hell to heaven. MACE picketed the school on October 31 and November 1. Dr. Trotter, Reverend Yarborough, Mr. Woods, and the other picketers were harrassed by the police and even physically threatened by County personnel. The school actually enlisted the Student Government Association officers (students!) to throw pinecones and attempt to fight the picketers on November 1! The picket, however, was successful. The principal was removed by Thanksgiving, and at the end of the school year, the entire administrative staff was reassigned. MACE triumphed over evil at that school and will continue to do so at other schools.

I cannot imagine why any teacher would join ODE/GAE. That organization allows administrators to have membership, and when an ODE/GAE member in a school has a conflict with an administrator who has ODE/GAE membership, guess which of the two ODE/GAE supports. For instance, at my school, the ODE/GAE representative experienced extreme discrimination at the hands of an ODE/GAE assistant principal. When the rep contacted ODE/GAE, he/she was told that ODE/GAE could do nothing on his/her behalf because it would cause problems with the administration. He/She was told to handle it as best he/she could, and this was accomplished by MACE rescuing him/her. Two grievance were held, the second of which Dr. Trotter represented the particular teacher. It became so heated in the Hearing because the Hearing Officer endeavored to deny the teacher his/her rights as guaranteed by State law. Dr. Trotter would have none of that, and the Hearing Officer had police summoned, as if they could stop Dr. Trotter from defending a teacher’s right to be heard in a formal grievance. Three police cars with two policepeople each did not thwart Dr. Trotter. The teacher was defended, the assistant principal was warned to refrain from treating teachers unprofessionally, and MACE once again showed how successful its radicalism is.

$35 a month to have MACE membership is worth it! If you are a teacher, go to www.theteachersadvocate.com to sign up!

Tell them Gunny sent you.

By Pat Pepper

November 22, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this

When I was a new teacher, I joined PAGE because it was cheaper than GAE. However, the first time I needed support, PAGE asked if I really wanted “to make waves”? I promptly quit PAGE and joined GAE. I have now been a member for 17 years, and GAE has been with me on every issue that I have needed support. I especially value their strong lobbying efforts both at the state; and, through NEA, at the federal level. Laws regulate all facets of our lives, and we must have a voice in the lawmaking process. GAE, through e-mails, keeps me posted on all educational bills, which I can comment on to my state and federal representatives. They also hold seminars on how to be persuasive with legislators. Recently, GAE representatives spoke out loudly at the appropriate meetings against the funding of education in Georgia with a sales tax. This measure has now been tabled. They spoke out loudly against the non-coverage issues of United Healthcare, and action is now being taken. GAE has also won more legal battles for teachers than PAGE. In the financial area, members can more than recoup their dues amounts by using their Access card for discounts on many products and services—I spent 3 nights free in Gatlinburg this summer by entering my name on the GAE website. Any GAE member who feels that they are not getting their money’s worth needs to go to www.gae.org and become more familiar with GAE’s many benefits.

By andrew

November 22, 2005 11:16 AM | Link to this

Let me tell you why I am a MACE member: Several years ago the PTA president asked me to help form a discipline committee. After my principal made it known there were “no discipline problems at our school, and thus no need for a committee” my fellow teachers headed for the hills. I stayed on.

Shortly thereafter, after never having a “needs improvement” on an evaluation, I had SIXTEEN. Only problem: at the time of the alleged “observation” my students were in an enrichment class with another teacher. I was then put in a room with three administrators, told I was not allowed to leave, even to use the restroom (until I pulled out a tape recorder and asked “Am I to understand I am being held against my will?”) and asked to resign. Instead of resigning, I asked since I was a “weak teacher” that the person who helps train “weak teachers” come make an unannounced observation, using the EXACT same instrument the principals use, then we could meet and compare the observations with my principal’s supervisor to see “where I need help.”

The same principal who gave me SIXTEEN “needs improvements” suddenly said “Oh she can’t come observe you; you’re an excellent teacher, and she only observes teachers who need help.” (This shows why we have a need for teachers to be able to evaluate their principal: it would bring a much needed “checks and balance” to our schools, and help end the widespread sytemic harassment of teachers.)

Next I contacted MACE. Dr. Trotter came up with the attorney and suddenly the principal said it was a “big misunderstanding” and I never heard about the sixteen Needs Improvements again. And no, if you are playing Devil’s Advocate, they were NOT legit. They were things like “no objective on the board” which she continued to insist was not there, until I took photographic evidence to her supervisor (some fellow teachers saw what was happening, and came to my defense with cameras while I was in the conference being asked to resign).

People on the outside simply have NO CLUE as to the single biggest problem in education today: lack of support for discipline. My story is NOT uncommon. Nor is it an uncommon occurance that students openly defy, verbally abuse, and even outright physically assault teachers, often with NO consequences. Test scores, teacher training, No Child Left Behind…if you don’t put discipline first, EVERY other issue can be dismissed with a simple sentence. “Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?”

Yes, in any school you can find an incompetent teacher…but in EVERY classroom, you can find one or two chronically disruptive children who take most of the teacher’s time. The problem is not the teachers…it is the SYSTEMIC denial when it comes to discipline, and administrative reliance on the 3 R’s (no, not Readin, Ritin’ and Rithmatic…Retailiation, Retribution, and Reprisal, by administrators who are spineless on discipline).

Finally, what about those of you who say “But test scores are up?” Ask yourself this: you tell an entire staff of educators that your career depends on the whims of a seven year old who undergoes ten HOURS of testing…are you SURE those test scores are legit? But that’s another story for another time…

Teaching without MACE is like going to Iraq without a weapon and counting on the integrity of the terrorists to keep you from harm. For those that would complain that they are radical I would say this: What does it say about our educational system that it has become a “radical” idea that teachers get treated with respect, and that teachers have the right to discipline chronically disruptive children who destroy the learning environment. That’s radical? THAT, in a nutshell is what is wrong with education…

By andrew

November 22, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

Let me tell you why I am a MACE member: Several years ago the PTA president asked me to help form a discipline committee. After my principal made it known there were “no discipline problems at our school, and thus no need for a committee” my fellow teachers headed for the hills. I stayed on.

Shortly thereafter, after never having a “needs improvement” on an evaluation, I had SIXTEEN. Only problem: at the time of the alleged “observation” my students were in an enrichment class with another teacher. I was then put in a room with three administrators, told I was not allowed to leave, even to use the restroom (until I pulled out a tape recorder and asked “Am I to understand I am being held against my will?”) and asked to resign. Instead of resigning, I asked since I was a “weak teacher” that the person who helps train “weak teachers” come make an unannounced observation, using the EXACT same instrument the principals use, then we could meet and compare the observations with my principal’s supervisor to see “where I need help.”

The same principal who gave me SIXTEEN “needs improvements” suddenly said “Oh she can’t come observe you; you’re an excellent teacher, and she only observes teachers who need help.” (This shows why we have a need for teachers to be able to evaluate their principal: it would bring a much needed “checks and balance” to our schools, and help end the widespread sytemic harassment of teachers.)

Next I contacted MACE. Dr. Trotter came up with the attorney and suddenly the principal said it was a “big misunderstanding” and I never heard about the sixteen Needs Improvements again. And no, if you are playing Devil’s Advocate, they were NOT legit. They were things like “no objective on the board” which she continued to insist was not there, until I took photographic evidence to her supervisor (some fellow teachers saw what was happening, and came to my defense with cameras while I was in the conference being asked to resign).

People on the outside simply have NO CLUE as to the single biggest problem in education today: lack of support for discipline. My story is NOT uncommon. Nor is it an uncommon occurance that students openly defy, verbally abuse, and even outright physically assault teachers, often with NO consequences. Test scores, teacher training, No Child Left Behind…if you don’t put discipline first, EVERY other issue can be dismissed with a simple sentence. “Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?”

Yes, in any school you can find an incompetent teacher…but in EVERY classroom, you can find one or two chronically disruptive children who take most of the teacher’s time. The problem is not the teachers…it is the SYSTEMIC denial when it comes to discipline, and administrative reliance on the 3 R’s (no, not Readin, Ritin’ and Rithmatic…Retailiation, Retribution, and Reprisal, by administrators who are spineless on discipline).

Finally, what about those of you who say “But test scores are up?” Ask yourself this: you tell an entire staff of educators that their careers depends on the whims of a seven year old (who may or may not have had sleep the night before or breakfast in the morning) who undergoes ten HOURS of testing…are you SURE those test scores are legit? But that’s another story for another time…

Teaching without MACE is like going to Iraq without a weapon and counting on the integrity of the terrorists to keep you from harm. For those who would complain that they are radical I would say this: What does it say about our educational system that it has become a “radical” idea that teachers get treated with respect, and that teachers have the right to discipline chronically disruptive children who destroy the learning environment? That’s radical? THAT, in a nutshell, is what is wrong with education…

By Debra Gunter

November 22, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this

I have been an NEA member since the day I stepped into the classroom, 33 years ago. From day one, in Alabama and now in Georgia, NEA has been my greatest resource for both professional and political information. GAE is the perfect blend of activism, professional development and leadership training. GAE represents the educator that is actively involved in the job and the improvement of public education. GAE offers legal protectio but so much more is available! Professional development, PRAXIS help, scholarships. awards, leadership training, help in the classroom, national connections, involvement with Read Across American and the popular State Spelling Bee. You can be as involved as you like. Choose one or many avenues that interest you and across the state/nation you will find peers who are interested in the same thing. The chances to network are endless. GAE also represents the administrators who believe in the power of the classroom educator. We need more administrators who have the guts to stand up for the teacher, aide, bus driver who deal daily with the students. Hooray for GAE! Join. Advocate. Investigate the possibilities.

By Elizabeth Gould

November 22, 2005 12:33 PM | Link to this

I retired last spring after 34 years in Georgia’s classrooms. I was a career-long member of GAE. I was around when PAGE was formed by a bunch of good ole boy white administrators who lost their power when the black & white organizations merged in 1970 to form GAE and GAE unified with NEA in 1975.(or so) I was not impressed with the organization then & nothing changed over 30 years. PAGE is an administrator run organization. They do what the administrators tell them to do when it comes to teacher rights. I knew a principal who wanted all the teachers at “his” school to be PAGE members so he could get rid of one if he wanted to & PAGE would not stand in his way. In other words, he didn’t have to worry about due-process or fairness or whether or not the teacher was not doing the job or anything. He could just tell the teacher to leave. If teachers were GAE members, he had to follow the law and prove that a teacher was not doing the job in the classroom. GAE defends and protects teacher’s rights regardless of expense. PAGE limits how much it will cover. GAE and NEA have a Teacher Defense Fund. PAGE has an insurance policy. When you have to pay out on an insurance policy, then your costs go up. Therefore, PAGE does not want to cover teachers when they’re rights and jobs are in trouble. I’ve seen first hand the professionalism of GAE and the lack of professionalism of PAGE. I know of teachers who have been told by PAGE representatives that “GAE is for blacks, PAGE is for whites.” This still goes on in this day and time. Does GAE provide for its members? You bet. Beside the peace of mind one gets knowing that there will be someone to help in time of need, GAE also has a Professional Development program that is excellent. There are many workshops on many topics that are available for members. The lobbying efforts of GAE were recognized as one of the top ten most effective in Georgia. GAE is always represented at State School Board meetings, PSC meetings, Education committee meetings, and any other functions that affect education. Because of the affiliation with NEA, GAE members are also represented at the national level. The other member benefits of GAE are outstanding. A colleague of mine told about how he saved more money on a hotel at his son’s wedding using his GAE Access card than his ex-wife saved using her PAGE card. Again because GAE is affiliated with NEA which has over 2 million members, there are better deals for us than PAGE can give. Finally, my husband is the GAE Uni-Serv director for our area. IN 23 years, he has dealt with hundreds of issues that teachers face every day. That includes many PAGE members who call asking for help because they can’t get any help from PAGE. I know of a number of good teachers who lost their jobs because PAGE did not provide competent assistance. The main difference between the two associations is that GAE advocates for members, no if, ands, buts, or maybes. PAGE doesn’t advocate and qualifies its assistance.

By Marcia

November 22, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this

“Tell them Gunny sent you” For just $4.72 more per month you can be a member of Clayton Co Education Association (CCEA), Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), and National Education Association (NEA). I thought PAGE was supposed to be cheap. “Gunny said it cost $35 per month to belong to PAGE.â€?

Right now, my Local is working on the issue of Sp Ed Certification to make sure teachers are Highly Qualified. With the help of GAE extra practice sessions are scheduled and teachers are being giving correct information on what to do. A lot of teachers are unsure—since they are not members of our affiliate(GAE)they are getting a lot of mixed messages on what to do.

I came to GA in 1977 as a student NEA member, having joined at Ball State University in 1974 as I started my studies in Education. I have gained much information, professional knowledge, saved a lot of money with the Access card, and know that if I have a question or problem, all I have to do is ask—and it is solved. Dues are tax deductible and that is a nice perk. (I understand MACE is for profit so dues are not deductible) Belonging to the same organization as administration has never been a problem for me. My Uni-Serve Director has always been top notch no matter where I have been in the state.

It is all about the children and thanks to CCEA, GAE, and NEA I am a better advocate for children. I am a Professional and CCEA, GAE, and NEA are for Professional people.

By luvs2teach

November 22, 2005 04:11 PM | Link to this

Marcia - Gunny was advocating for MACE, not PAGE.

PAGE used to be about $100 per year; I’m not sure what the current cost is right now.

By Get Real

November 22, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

I wonder if all the people praising MACE really appreciate a leader to rant and rave, using profanity—-I mean the heavy duty “F” word out in public places around other teachers and students while doing this so-called rescuing? Can you really support an organization that endorses the very BOE members that nearly destroyed Clayton County schools? Can you really support their “do nothing puppet” in the State House? Can you really appreciate an organization that will threaten people who oppose them or disagree?

Come on now—the only teachers that I have ever known to belong to MACE where the ones that should not be in the classroom to start with or got in trouble and got mad because either GAE or PAGE told them that they had done wrong!

Teachers please don’t be fooled by all of this —well you know!

By Elizabeth Gould

November 22, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

I need to clarify a couple of things. One, liability and job protection are not the same thing. Some people seem to think they are. Like I said earlier, my husband is a Uni-Serv Director for GAE- has been for 23 years. In all those years, he has dealt with maybe 4-5 liability cases. However, he stays busy with issues related to teacher rights. He probably has 5 or 6 of those going at any one time. His assistance and the assistance of a lawyer if needed do not cost members anything. Secondly, someone wrote that teachers should get their own attorney and have them ready if needed and suggested looking at the organization’s websites to get the names of attorneys. Not a good idea. The attorneys listed on the GAE website are the attorneys members may call to get assistance with personal legal problems, writing wills, divorce, child support, etc. They may or may not be familiar with education law. Plus these attorneys provide services for GAE members for discounted fees. This would not be available for non-members. There are other attorneys that GAE uses in teacher rights cases. Again this service does not cost members any additional. No limits, as PAGE has and no “if it is proven that your rights have been violated.” - also a PAGE stipulation.

By Gunny

November 23, 2005 01:24 PM | Link to this

I proudly restate that I have been a member of MACE for a decade now and that I would stop teaching without the backing of Dr. John Trotter and MACE. I state, too, my resentment at the statement by Get Real that MACE members are “teachers who should not be in the classroom to begin with.” I have certification in five areas, and I was chosen STAR Teacher my first year of teaching. I presented a paper at the Annual Conference of the Classical Association of Great Britain about Ovid’s lexical choices in his juxtaposition of the Cephalus/Procris myth with that of Medea. I make a difference daily in the lives of my students and was recently termed by an Associate Superintendent “one of the top ten teachers” in my school district — and that County official knows of my MACE membership!

How ironic it is when rereading the comments in this blog, most of the GAE supporters engage in an ad hominem attack against MACE members and especially against Dr. Trotter. Ad hominem, a Latin phrase meaning “to the man,” has come into our lexicon as describing a type of argument based on the supposed failings of an opponent rather than on the merits of the case the one making the attack supports. Typically, a person makes such an ad hominem attack when his/her own case is weak. Get Real alludes to an episode when Dr. Trotter was alleged to have said f*** in front of children; however, Get Real deals with rumor and hearsay, which borders on libel. The particular event alluded to, however, becomes quite laughable when one realizes that the children in question were Dr. Trotter’s own kids! (They were well out of earshot.)

Why does MACE elicit such vitriol from GAE types? I firmly believe it is because Dr. Trotter and MACE are making definite inroads into GAE recruitment of teachers. My negative opinion about GAE does not rise to the order of rhetorical attack as GAE’s against MACE does. Mine is based on perceived facts. How can an organization that now purports to advocate for teachers do so when it allows supervisors of those teachers to become members? Just two days ago, a GAE teacher at my school complained about the unfair nature of an administrative reprimand. This teacher had been written up for failure to record student attendance for a particular week; however, the particular week was a chaotic time at that school, and the teacher had only missed posting one class out of three per day. When the teacher suggested that a more fair and balanced approach would be to assess his/her record of posting attendance for the entire semester (since only four weeks remain in it), he/she was told that the administrators are able to assess teachers in whatever manner they, the administrators, so desire whenever they so desire. When the teacher said he/she would take the matter up with GAE, he/she was told by the adminstrator that he/she, too, was a GAE member and that the organization would not interfer in the administrator’s conduct of his/her professional duties. The teacher came to me, the MACE rep, and I assisted him/her in drafting a letter that resulted in the original write-up being rescinded and the teacher being praised for having posted attendance admirably for the entire semester.

MACE gets results — and does so by doing more than just picketing! MACE employees and members like me regularly assist MACE teachers in writing rebuttal letters and in preparing formal, written grievances. A MACE teacher who becomes involved in a Level II Complaint Hearing has representation at the Hearing by a MACE legal expert. MACE personnel routinely travel about the State, meeting with teachers in various schools, and MACE personnel spend countless hours on the phone, discussing with administrative types how best to resolve situations involving the mistreatment of MACE teachers. GAE cannot match the personal touch that MACE brings in its dealings with classroom teachers. The MACE mission is not to advance teacher rights via politics and lobbying; it is to defend the particular teacher’s ability to teach in his/her school without having to suffer at the hands of incompetent, petty administrators, who are typically rejects from the classroom. Those who could not teach, much less control students, are promoted based on nepotism, cronyism, or sexual favors, and they then lord it over teachers in a hypocritical manner. “Do as I say, not as I have done” becomes the motto of these adminstrators. It takes a radical organization like MACE with an impassioned leader like Dr. Trotter to stand up against such educators.

I have no doubt that when the book about Georgia education is written, Dr. John Trotter and MACE will be featured prominently in it. Dr. Trotter’s fame, not infamy, will be well-deserved. At great personal loss and in the face of extreme GAE antagonism, he succeeded in creating an organization with a most meritorious mission, advocating for teachers so that they are able to do what they are paid to do, teach the children of Georgia.

If you teach in Georgia, don’t do so without the backing of MACE and Dr. John Trotter. Go to www.theteachersadvocate.com to join.

Again, tell them Gunny sent you!

By John Carver

November 23, 2005 03:14 PM | Link to this

I have taught in another state, took a $10k pay cut to come to Georgia. I have been a member of both Page and GAE. The fact that GAE is backed by the NEA and will support me in my efforts as a teacher is one main reason to belong to GAE. The fact that Georgia does not allow collective bargaining says they do not care about their teachers. After you have taught here awhile you learn that is a fact. They really don’t care about teachers, just statistics and a nice well paying position. It is noteworthy that many other states with collective bargaining, states that listen to teacher’s input, have a better educational system than Georgia.

By Get Real

November 25, 2005 02:35 PM | Link to this

It is amazing that pseudo intellectuals can make such clear points without meaning to do it! I just love it.

By patrick jones

November 28, 2005 08:23 AM | Link to this

I became a PAGE member when I first got into education because it was a little cheaper than GAE. The more I investigated and talked to both PAGE members and GAE members, the more I was convinced that the right choice for me was GAE.

Two people I worked with at the time, just before my switch, were PAGE members. Both got into a situation where they needed a little help, and both received very little assistance from PAGE.

After King Roy came into office and slapped us in the face, that is when I officially switched to GAE because I wanted to be part of an organization that really backed educators and the education process. They want what is best for all, from the students to the teachers and the administrators, to the support personnel, the subs, the bus drivers, the custodians, the lunchroom workers, etc.

By Joe Hall

November 28, 2005 10:58 AM | Link to this

I am a retired teacher who was a lifetime member of GAE/NEA. I served as a building representative for most of my 32 years. Believe me, I have seen GAE save jobs, stop harassment by principals, and give teachers the backing that they needed to voice their opinions without fear of reprisal. In all of my years, I never saw a PAGE member get up in a faculty meeting and express an opinion that was different than that of the administration.

The PAGE members in my building came to me when they had a problem because they new that we got results. When I would ask them why they did not go to their PAGE representative, they would tell me that they did not know who that person would be. I had a teacher who was not a member of any organization who, when they needed help, joined GAE, used the GAE lawyers to solve their problem, and then not join the next year. I guess some teachers are just plain cheap.

If you use the member’s benefits offered by GAE/NEA, you can recoup a lot of the dues cost. I have purchased my cell phone, purchased my magazines (and I have several), and have purchased life insurance using the member’s benefits. Other members have saved a lot of money on their car insurance by using GAE/NEA member benefits.

I think that it is strange that other professions have both state and national organizations that lobby for legislation that is in their best interest while teachers continue to argue petty points and never really speak with a united voice.