The Beginning of the movement…Putting Teachers First…
"Quality teachers who are engaged and empowered can transform the teaching profession. Given support and resources, they make classroom experiences for children and youth come alive, have meaning and purpose and guide students to higher levels of learning, understanding and potential.
Roland legiardi-laura, Amy Sultan and Joe Ubiles --- from the bronx, NY are extraordinary examples of teachers who dared to challenge the status quo, to create a writing program called power writers that keeps kids off the streets and in the classroom --- they give them hope and bring meaning to their lives. This is a significant accomplishment when you consider the drop-out rates in many urban districts are as high at 70%. The documentary film, to be heard (http://www.Tobeheard.Org/index.html) gives a glimpse into their struggles and triumphs, but most importantly leads us to question: what would happen to these young people if they didn’t have Roland, Amy and Joe in their lives? And what if more young people had Roland, Amy and Joe in their lives?
Unfortunately, they are rare and uncommon...
Sadly, we have witnessed a neglect of teachers. Rarely do we see the teaching profession elevated to as worthy a goal as professions in business, law and professional sports. Many still believe that anyone can be a teacher; that the profession draws less than stellar individuals (just those who want summers off), and that teachers should not be included in decisions that affect their ability to teach effectively. As a result, educators without a voice and short on influential advocates are suffering silently in their classrooms. Their efforts to teach are routinely being pre-empted, interrupted, adjusted, manipulated and hindered.
Karen Horwitz, Armand Fusco, Bennett Packman, Kandise Lucas and others shared personal stories of despair and betrayal by the school systems that were supposed to protect and support them. Instead, they were confronted with emotional, professional and financial battles they were not prepared for.
No teacher should be mistreated, demeaned and disrespected---they are the beacon of our society. They guide and nurture our children and our future.
These battles are fought too often by thousands of teachers nationwide usually alone, isolated and consumed with fear of retribution. Today, some of these teachers are here; some wearing bags to hide their identity. It is shameful and embarrassing that we allow our citizens, our teachers to be treated this way!
Jeremy garrett, producer of a film called the rubber room (http://www.Rubberroommovie.com/), provided a glimpse into a reality that is shocking and unacceptable.
Allegations made against teachers are often left without due-process. One of our basic civil rights as citizens is denied to those individuals who are most deserving of our respect and support; these are the individuals who teach our children! Instead they are put into rooms to sit, and wait…for years…and for nothing.
But today everything changes! Today is the beginning of a new movement---the first ever movement for teachers---to put teachers first! When we put teachers first, we put our children, our nation and our future first!
Today, these quiet, isolated battles become our battles. No more will teachers struggle alone. Today we move forward in a new direction: a new direction of hope, courage and change. To put teachers first!
Every teacher must be given greater power and influence.
Every teacher must be compensated to reflect their worth to society.
Every teacher must feel safe in their school and classroom.
Every teacher must have the best resources to teach on the highest level.
When you leave here today, know that the hope of our children rests with you. This movement needs each of you to make an everlasting commitment!
Commit to ending teacher abuse and demand that our teachers be honored and respected.
Commit to emptying the rubber rooms! Support epic and the campaign that will do so!
Commit to elevating the teaching profession so that the future of our children and nation is bright for us all!
Commit to ending the culture of fear that paralyzes us all from doing what is right.
Commit to speak up and speak out for our teachers, our children, our nation and our future!
Boldness has genius, magic and power in it! Begin it now!
Our nation is overwhelmed in fear. Fear paralyzes us. Every great movement has been about individuals realizing their power and being inspired to use it. This is what this movement is about. To empower our teachers to have greater power and influence to teach, so that our children receive the quality education they need and deserve.
We need your support! Please make a commitment today to support our teachers, our children and our nation!"
