Get Schooled

By John

June 8, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

I’ll vote to reelect Perdue, the “Big Guy” is nothing more than a “Big Bag” of hot air who has accomplished nothing during his time in the state legislature. Then there’s Cathy Cox and her home spun homilies from her dad’s front porch that are really becoming irritating. She is such a “big” advocate for education? When did the Secretary of State begin running the Department of Education? I’ll take mediocre Sonny over less than adequate Cox and the big blowhard Taylor. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.

By Laf

June 8, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this

school education. When it comes down to the bottom line he is interested in the well to do and their private schools. Page is not going to endorse candidates. They don’t make waves. They go with the flow of the administrators.

By mac

June 8, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

I hope Mark Taylor doesn’t get too comfortable with the “endorsement”. Not every teacher/educator is a member of GAE or even PAGE and most teachers are wise enough to decide for themselves which candidate is best for the job.

By Mr. C

June 8, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Sonny- Thanks for the 4% raise, but I can’t vote for a Republican. I know local politicians don’t have much influence on national issues such as Iraq and the record deficits, but I will never vote for someone who would choose to deny equal rights for all Americans. Is there a yellow dog running? I’ll go Dem.

By holdingajc"accountable"

June 8, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

Note to Patti: Please…PLEASE, ask your fellow educatoin reporters to stop referring to GAE (and PAGE) as “teachers’ organizations”. To be accurate, they are “educators’ organizations”. It sounds like splitting hairs, but the difference is crucial.

Because they allow teachers AND administrators to join, they take (at best) a tepid stand on discipline. I would only ask that readers of this blog check out the level of priority that GAE and PAGE give to discipline, then read the hundreds of posts on the blog to see where the priority truly should be.

I’ll admit it’s not the “be all, end all” but the more the AJC refers to them as “teachers’ organizations” and doesn’t hold them accountable on discipline issues, the more they can skirt the issue.

Thanks,

PS Love this blog…one of the few places that teachers can be honest, without fear of retaliation

By Jeff

June 8, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

Mr. C,

I feel the same way about Democraps. HOWEER, as I posted on the political insider blog yesterday:

If the Dems put up Taylor, Perdue has my vote, no questions asked. I ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT vote for Mark Taylor to lead this great State.

If the Dems put up Cox, I got no problems listening to what she has to say and honestly weighing her pros and cons against those of Perdue, and I’ll vote accordingly.

By jim d

June 8, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

“Gov. Sonny Perdue didn’t fill out the 40,000-member group’s questionaire.”

Sounds like political suicide. He must be looking to join Roy in retirement. Why else would a candidate ignore such a strong voting block?

By Steve

June 8, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

holdingajcaccountable:

Glad you enjoy the blog, but I must ask about your statement that on here, teachers can be honest without fear of retaliation.

What retaliation are teachers being subjected to for being honest? When is the last time a teacher was held to account or released due to poor performance?

Educators, and public sector employees in general, have a level of job security that those of us in the private sector cannot imagine.

By Lisa U.

June 8, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

I voted for Sonny Perdue in the last election. As a teacher, there was no way I could vote to reelect Barnes. I also believed then that Sonny Perdue would support public education. I have been very disappointed with Governor Perdue, and especially angry over the United Health Care fiasco. Southwest Georgians are still sorely lacking network physicians, and out of pocket fees are breaking the bank! I will vote for Mark Taylor, who has a proven track record for educators. I appreciate GAE for looking into the backgrounds of each candidate. I can’t believe Perdue blew off the questionnaire! Doesn’t he remember what happened to Barnes after Barnes bragged that he didn’t need teachers to get reelected?

By holdingajc"accountable"

June 8, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Steve is right about the level of security, compared to the private sector. However, retaliation does happen. If you’re a tenured teacher, they just try to make your life a living hell so you’ll quit.

For example, one of your students is in process of having a “bad day”. He hasn’t come to your class yet. He’s with a fellow teacher down the hall. This teacher is the type who “doesn’t make waves” and generally kisses butt.

The student is disrespectful to this colleague and an administrator comes and removes him. All well and good, EXCEPT…he comes into your room the next period, and he punches you with, (as Mike Tyson used to say when he could back it up) “bad intentions.”

You inform the office…nothing…you fill out all the forms. You finally manage to get the student out of the room and into the office. Suddenly all the administrators (who were there 15 minutes earlier) are “in a conference” or “out of the building.”

You’ve locked the door so the student can’t get back in (because you know he’s walking out of the office with no consequences) but he beats on the door for fifteen minutes and you basically have to stop teaching and tell the students to ignore him and “wait him out” because there’s nothing else you can do.

That’s a small sample of the “retaliation” I’m talking about…your tax dollars at work.

By Kristen Waddell

June 8, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

Finally, a place where teachers can respond to the loads of criticism heaped on them daily! I am so tired of the media being on the side of everyone BUT our educators.

So, to address your comment on “job security” : Our contracts are renewed on a year to year basis. We are similar to contractors in that respect. Job performance is measured annually, and if you are not performing, you will be placed on a program (with a time limit) to improve. I HAVE known teacher’s whose contracts were not renewed due to poor performance, more than one in fact! A principal has the authority to choose their staff for the next school year, and your renewal is always subject to consideration.

By Kristen Waddell

June 8, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Finally, a place where teachers can respond to the loads of criticism heaped on them daily! I am so tired of the media being on the side of everyone BUT our educators.

So, to address your comment on “job security” : Our contracts are renewed on a year to year basis. We are similar to contractors in that respect. Job performance is measured annually, and if you are not performing, you will be placed on a program (with a time limit) to improve. I HAVE known teacher’s whose contracts were not renewed due to poor performance, more than one in fact! A principal has the authority to choose their staff for the next school year, and your renewal is always subject to consideration.

By BlindHomer

June 8, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

Maybe the 4% bone he threw the teachers will sway some voters, but I don’t see how Sonny or Cox can really run on their education records any more successfully than the previous, self-proclaimed “education” governor did. I think we should keep changing until we get someone that shows some real results.

By teachertoo

June 8, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

As an extension to the post by holdingajcaccountable:

I’d also like to see The AJC and other media outlets stop referring to PAGE and GAE as UNIONS. GA teachers are NOT represented by unions. Trust me, we would be FAR BETTER OFF if we were!!!!

By BlindHomer

June 8, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

Maybe the 4% bone he threw the teachers will sway some voters, but I don’t see how Sonny or Cox can really run on their education records any more successfully than the previous, self-proclaimed “education” governor did. I think we should keep changing until we get someone that shows some real results.

By G

June 8, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

There are means in place to remove incompetent teachers, and the procedures have been in place for years. They were in place when that liar Barnes swore that it was next to impossible to get rid of bad teachers.

All it takes is a principal who is willing to do his/her job and document the problems, fill out the paperwork, and send it on to the higher-ups. Of course, the problems come when higher-ups won’t back up the principal, the principal hasn’t done his job properly, or there isn’t sufficient reason to fire the person.

The very year that Barnes lied about the difficulty of removing teachers, my principal got rid of two. He also got rid of one the next year. It doesn’t take miracles, it takes a hard-working administrator with some guts.

By G

June 8, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

There are means in place to remove incompetent teachers, and the procedures have been in place for years. They were in place when that liar Barnes swore that it was next to impossible to get rid of bad teachers.

All it takes is a principal who is willing to do his/her job and document the problems, fill out the paperwork, and send it on to the higher-ups. Of course, the problems come when higher-ups won’t back up the principal, the principal hasn’t done his job properly, or there isn’t sufficient reason to fire the person.

The very year that Barnes lied about the difficulty of removing teachers, my principal got rid of two. He also got rid of one the next year. It doesn’t take miracles, it takes a hard-working administrator with some guts.

By elem teacher

June 8, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

I would vote for Sonny. Did last time and will this time. I agree with his values and I’m thankful he stepped up to protect marriage. And about this questionaire, I don’t put much value on it, considering that the GAE, being a branch of the NEA, has hidden political agendas anyway, obviously pro-Democrat, anti-Republican. So, I am very skeptical to believe any thing they say. They probably have overblown or exaggerated something he said to make him look bad. According to the Washington Times, the NEA tried to hide where its tax-exempt teacher dues went. More than half went to illegally fund the democratic party. They didn’t report their spending either. www.apfn.net/home_school4.htm. Made me angry to find out they’re spending MY money on the DNC instead of hard working teachers.

By Dick

June 8, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Let me say just because the GAE (which is not a union) endorsed Mark Taylor, that doesn’t mean he has my vote. I am from Marks area of being raised and believe you me, we sure don’t need him as Governor. You think JImmy Carter was bad, just wait if Mark is elected. I refer to mark as “Pooh Bear”.

By Dick

June 8, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Yes sir Ole mark TAylor knows what the educational system needs. If so, let me ask you? Why did he attend a private school and not public school.

By Kristen Waddell

June 8, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

Our job security is not that different from anyone else’s. Our contracts are renewed annually on a case by case basis, and YES! I have known of at least two teachers that did not receive contracts for the next school year due to poor performance. That decision is always left up to the principal. They were not fired from the system, but it was very difficult to get picked up by a new school when they found out your old one didn’t want you…And where else have you heard of a job where you could be accused of something, had your picture posted on all news outlets, fired from your job, lost your teaching license…and then after further investigation been cleared of the charges but did not get your position back? This kind of thing happens with students and some of their false claims of inappropriate conduct. Do news outlets ever do follow ups regarding the teacher’s innocence? Of course not! Their lives are ruined! When was the last time something like that happened at YOUR job? I understand that the safety of children is paramount, but there are mistakes made like this all the time, and you never hear about the repercussions. Parents/students seem to have all the power these days. If you lost your job as a banker, you could still go be a banker somewhere else. If we lose our job as a teacher, for anything, we can NEVER be a teacher ANYWHERE AGAIN! Did you know we can’t even join the PTA in our own child’s school if we have even a small ethics violation, like not counting properly the book club money or field trip accounts? That doesn’t sound like job security to me. We are on the clock 24/7, even in our private lives. Does your job punish you for things you do outside the office?

By Laf

June 8, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

The reason Sonny Perdue didn’t respond to the GAE survey is that he is not going to depend on the educators to get elected. Like I told you above he is not interested in the public schools. He is going to depend on the extreme right wing evangelicals to get elected. He is going to depend on the George Bush bandwagon. There kids are not in your classroom. They are at the segregated private school or at home school. Why should he support public education????????? All Perdue got to do is toot gay gay and they will come running to him.

By Teacher for Cox

June 8, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

It is unfortunate that GAE chose to endorse Taylor. The majority of GAE members I have spoken to are avid Cox fans—even the ones in Albany (some are still smarting from the Taylor-Albany stadium fiasco). Sometimes the few with the power try to speak for the masses and spend their money!

Obviously Taylor has been in a position to tackle a number of educational issues, HOPE being in the forefront, but those who know Cathy Cox well know that she has the the potential to build education in our state the right way—something that Taylor can’t accomplish. Cox knows that the funding mechanism has to be fixed so that teachers can be provided with smaller class sizes. She is about holding educators at all levels accountable. She knows that learning can’t occur where no discipline exists. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she can walk the walk. And, she can do it without using threats or carrying a big stick. You want different, better, proactive and an educator first and foremost? Then you want Cox at the helm. The Cox fans in our local GAE chapters need to let their voices be heard. Pull the Cox lever in the primary and you will be casting a vote FOR better education in GA.

By elem teacher

June 8, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

Yep Laf, if he protects marriage, he has my vote. That’s right. And he doesn’t care so much for public school, that he just gave $650K to local public high schools, finally did something about problem students by taking away driver’s licenses, and lowering class sizes, thereby greatly benefiting kids, and helping teachers. Thus, more jobs for teachers, more one-on-one instruction. I know-I’ve been there. It’s tough when you have more than 20 kids in your classroom, all needing attention at the same time. But it’s ok. We can just agree to disagree.:)

By C/T Teacher

June 8, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this

As for me and my house we will be voting for Sonny. Mark Taylor is nothing but a big bag of wind that has no idea what goes on in education, at least Sonny’s wife is a teacher. We all enter education knowing that we are not go to make a boat load of money but this is not why we teacher, we teach because we love it. I appreciate any raise I get and I am not bending over and kissing anyones butt just because I got one. So I don’t make a $100,000 a year but I still have a comfortable lifestyle that allows me to the things I want thanks to men like Zell and Sonny. As as far as Taylor receiving the GAE endorsement, big deal. I don’t belong to either “teachers organiation” because they are both nothing but big jokes (I know this from experience before you start asking). So the only thing left to say is GO Sonny! Another 4 years!!!!!!

By jim d

June 8, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this

It matters little who sets in Atlanta. The asinine educational dictates are coming from D.C.

All of you that voted for Dubya are now getting what you wanted. Quit belly aching.

By Jwentz

June 8, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

Mr. Perdue is trying to get the educator’s vote by the so-called gift cards and the tiny raise. We are educated people and we know when somebody is trying to bamboozle us. I think we have to look at the candidate that is going to have the interests of students and teachers in his or her heart and mind.

As the largesdt voting block in the state, we have the power to change things. WE have to let the governor AND the legislature know that we are going to set by and let them make uniformed decisions. We are the ones in the trenches and we have to deal with accountability! When are we going to hold parents and school boards accountable?

By independent voter

June 8, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Protect marriage from what??? from whom?? I cannot believe that with all the pressing issues out there, people are so concerned about “protecting marriage.” What are you people afraid of happening if marriage isn’t “protected”?

By G354ME

June 8, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

TAP - Teachers Against Perdue SOS - So Over Sonny ABS - Anybody But Sonny SENSE - State Employees Need Someone Else

Give me time I can think of more, but i think everyone gets the point. Coming from a family with 5 Georgia teachers and 3 in administration and not the first one will be voting for Sonny Perdue again. As bad as they thought Roy was, they have wished for their votes back many times. And to think Zig Zag support a Governor that spent his first 3 years trying to undo everything he an Roy had done right, only to “fix” it in his last year. And he expects Georgians to be stupid enough to believe he was a good Governor. The Macon Telegraph is the only paper I have seen that wasn’t afraid to point out the lies in the Republican latest ads for Sonny.

Sonny gave back to public education the money he took away when he first came into office. Roy Barnes administration passed Legislation taking away students driver’s license (as my 23 step son pointed out, he had many friends that lost his license with that law), he reduced funds to the DMVS so they had to close offices and reduce staff, then he spent almost twice as much to create a new Department just to return the Driver’s License lines back to where they were before he took office(smaller Government my tail), he pushes for ethics, then takes the State’s helicopter for a spend through Georgia to attend high school football games and takes trips sponsered by big business. He takes power away from the Insurance Commissioner to regulate his “friends” in the Insurance Industry (anyone looked at their insurance rates for their car, home, etc lately..any claim made in the past 3 years no matter whose fault now results in a added charge that was not allowed before unless you were at fault of the claim). Nothing has improved 3 years and it won’t get better in 4 more with Sonny at the top.

By Myra Callahan

June 8, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

Cathy Cox is the candidate with new ideas and a new appreciation for education and for teachers. She has personal friends and family who are teachers so she gets first-hand frank comments and conversations with teachers. The “big guy” didn’t even GO to public schooland Sonny majored in playing football. Cathy Cox is the way to go!

By Teacher Teacher

June 9, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

MACE

By MrLiberty

June 9, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

Personally I think that is it disgusting that anyone who makes their living off taxation should have the right to vote on issues that directly impact that taxation.

We have come to a point in this country where more people work in the government sector than in the private sector. This of course means that our problems will only become worse, as those who require the wasteful presence of government will do everything to oppose any solution that does not benefit them.

In no business do you get to vote on who your employer will be, who will be setting your rate of pay, or who will be hiring or potentially firing you.

Just look at the uproar when teacher accountability was proposed.

Though taxpayers themselves, teacher’s salaries come from many more sources of theft than just the small amount paid in property taxes. Some comes from business taxes that are passed onto consumers, some from income tax, and some from the host of other taxes that are collected each year. There is certainly no representation of these voices commensurate with the financial burden they are subjected to from teacher pay requirements.

As the old saying goes, “he who robs Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul.” Expect no less from the teachers.

By Laf

June 9, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

have the right to vote in state elections????

By MrLiberty

June 9, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

It certainly seems like a gross conflict of interest to me that any government employee votes.

Actually I would rather see all current government tasks taken care of by private sector companies or individuals.

So long as there is “legalized theft” through taxation, the recipients certainly should not have a say in how much or from who it is taken. I mean who works for whom.

Funny how my suggestion will likely offend so many of the readers, yet the immorality of taxation and funding of government at the point of a gun is just taken as the natural order of things.

By jim d

June 9, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

I’m with you on this one Mr. L,

While we’re at it lets stop anyone on welfare or Government disability from voting too.

By SNY

June 9, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

I’m with Mr. L. on this one. You can’t be objective if the issue is dealing with your money. That’s in any business, anywhere. Taxpayers deserve a hell of a lot more for their money.

By jim d

June 9, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

SNY, while I agree we deserve better I disagree that we deserve more. Personally I’m thankful we don’t get all the government we pay for now.

By SET

June 9, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

How about Robert Heinlien’s proposition in his book “Starship Troopers” that only retired military should be allowed to vote? (All other citizens are merely “residents”).

That book was published after WWII and was supposedly so controversial his longtime publisher refused to touch it and Heinlien changed publishers to get it issued.

By Amazed (Independent Woman)

June 9, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

It would be a shame to stop any adult group from voting, especially since we are all expected to live by the outcome of our votes.

Why should we expect people to live by our vote, when their opportunity to Chime in has been taken away?

It’s hard enough when the Looser you didn’t vote for - takes office.

Have a great weekend guys.

By MrLiberty

June 9, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

Reduce government to the size defined in the Constitution (you remember that document, its the one the democrats and the republicans ignore all the time). Eliminate income taxation. Fund government spending through tarrifs and excise taxes as was done before 1916 and then we can start discussing letting everyone vote again.

The constitution was supposed to protect the minority from the majority, but when the majority can vote to force the government to steal from me (beacuse it is illegal to steal directly), then evey election is tainted.

Glad to see so much agreement with my post.

Yes, lets stop the welfare etc. recipients too.

By Laf

June 9, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

Mr. Liberty can we add the social security recipients to this no-vote list also. It certainly seems like social security recipients voting would be a conflict of interest since social security is nothing but a government pension fund. Of course you know who is going to bale out social security when it goes bankrupt.

By Georgia Teacher

June 9, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

I agree with the “accountability” fellow and others about GAE and PAGE being “teacher organizations.” Both groups allow ANYONE (lunch room staff, superintendents, principals, etc.) to join. In fact, GAE just elected an administrator as its new president. MACE is the only “teachers organization” in Georgia, and MACE lets its members individually decide who they want to vote for. MACE would not be so arrogant to try to speak for all of its teachers when it comes to their political views. Oh yes, about the inflated numbers that both GAE and PAGE tout, it reminds me of the old arms race. They are pulling a great scam on media outlets like the AJC. (http://www.theteachersadvocate.com)

By teach

June 13, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Mr. L, there is a wonderful country you should move to - its called Cuba where you cannot vote and have no freedom of speech. Please don’t disrespect your History teachers by advising that Americans should not have the right to vote. As for which candidate to chose, Sonny has embarrassed himself with these sad little “raises” and other attempts to buy our votes. He’s like the unpopular kid at school who tries to buy your friendship. Pathetic. Cox or Taylor will be far superior Governor in every area. Well, except for maybe their ability to illegially fly a helicopter on the tax payer’s dime :) As for the discussion on the “educator’s groups” - trust me, they aren’t unions and they don’t do a thing to help teachers other than sell you insurance for the classroom. It is extremely easy to remove a bad teacher from their position whether it is for a valid reason or based upon petty issues. Contracts are renewed yearly. There are “plans” they can be put on. Evaluations are completely subjective. The people ruining education that are so hard to get rid of are the school boards that misuse our money for every new program that comes along. And the principals who run off 20+ teachers each year, but no one investigates why so many teachers are leaving. Try doing something about the burn-out rate for teachers. Try improving the working conditions for them. Try lowering the salaries of the administrators. Stop wasting money on every little thing that comes along that seems like a “new” teaching program.

By Hope4Ed

June 13, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

Professional Organizations are a better term for GAE, PAGE, MACE, and others. In reference to the original content of this blog, I believe that it is important for professionals to be gathered under an umbrella of others with like professional agendas. We are all here for the same thing-the children. If we change this focus, if the politicians change their focus to being on the “individual” child then all of this complaining would be null and void. Education in Georgia is behind other states, as a nation, the United States is behind other nations. We need serious educational reform in this state and country. We need to elect decision-makers with this same vision, to meet the needs of the individual child, not the masses. Until “we” change our mentality, until “we” stop placing blame, until “we” start coming up with viable solutions, “we” will keep going around in circles.

By Harris

June 14, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

When a candidate can come up with a slogan such as “No Accountability without Authority,” I’m sure teachers would vote for him/her in multitudes. PAGE is an administrators’ organization and is worthless as a teachers’ group. GAE is a bit better, but MACE really understands the conditions under which we teachers work.

By David

June 15, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

I think it is interesting that good ole Sonny did not fill out the questionaire. Even though you are unopposed in the primary wouldn’t an honest politician want the people to know where they stand. No, I think Sonny didn’t fill out the form because taking a stand on something will lose him votes. This is the same attitude he had while Governer this term, don’t make any waves. Yes we are getting a raise but remember how we had to tighten our belts back when the state was having such financial challenges? Well the coffers are full again so why are we not being given our “back pay” from those years of no raise? As far as I am concerned any organization that includes school administrators is not a “teacher” organization and has split and deluted priorities. I for one will read everything I can about the candidates, look at voting records and then decide who I will be voting for.