As Cuomo continues to waffle over whether he’ll campaign on his independent ballot line the losing candidates are beginning to line up with Zohan, the UFT is holding meetings to consider his endorsement, other powerful unions have jumped on board, unless the Republican party intends to drop their current candidate, Curtis Sliwa and replace him withContinue reading “Mamdani and Mayoral Control”
Tag Archives: teachers
Dealing with Anxiety in Troubling Times
I sent out a scree to my e-list: have you voted? I received: who should I vote for? (easily resolved) and I have no stamps (not needed) and many smiley faces, every vote counts, we should have the results in a few days. These are anxiety producing times. I wake up and hesitate to checkContinue reading “Dealing with Anxiety in Troubling Times”
Governor Hochul Failed the Test
Have you cast your ballot in the UFT Leadership election? Don’t tarry!! Place an X in the Unity box and into the mailbox, do it NOW!! I’ve always believed the best decisions are made by the folks closest to the kids: teachers and school leaders, hopefully facilitated by the school district leader. In other words,Continue reading “Governor Hochul Failed the Test”
Leadership and Experience Matters: The Survival of Public Education is at Stake
The United Federation of Teachers, the UFT has almost 200,000 members, 75,000 teachers 25,000 paraprofessionals 60,000 retirees 50,000 other titles, I.e., school secretaries, guidance counselors, speech pathologists, etc. working in 1800 school and other facilities. The governance structure: * officers (11) and Boro Reps, meet weekly *102 member executive board, meets twice aContinue reading “Leadership and Experience Matters: The Survival of Public Education is at Stake”
Why is the DSA Trying to Take Over the UFT?
“I’m not a member of any political party – I’m a democrat” Will Rogers We have a two party electoral system, Democrats and Republicans, within each party there are factions, and Madison in Federalist # 10 warned against factions, “who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or of some, adverse toContinue reading “Why is the DSA Trying to Take Over the UFT?”
“Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,”
In my union rep days I visited a couple of schools a day “showing the flag,” some principals welcomed me, a few thought I was a troublemaker, in a way, they were correct. In the winter I kept my army field jacket in my car in case I had to walk to the school, IContinue reading ““Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,””
“Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership
The days are getting longer, otherwise the bleak, chilly days seem to be modeling the political climate. One day Trump is thinking about giving DACA kids permanent status the next swooping down and snatching immigrants off the streets, the next day probably messing with Social Security and Medicare, is that whirring sound sucking sanity downContinue reading ““Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership”
In Praise of the UFT Staff
Over the past year the opposition caucuses have been demeaning the folks who keep the union running, for the most part invisible, the staff. The borough offices are staffed by part timers who work a few days a week supporting the full time staff who worked their way up the informal internship system. I wasContinue reading “In Praise of the UFT Staff”
From the Classrooms: One Army, Union Members Prepared to Fight for Our Schools and Our Students
I was chatting with a group of elementary school teachers. “Do you know there’s an election for UFT leadership in the spring?” “No” “Do you know who leads the union now and how are they doing?” One of the teachers had been a delegate, she liked Mulgrew’s opening report, said it was thorough. “Do you knowContinue reading “From the Classrooms: One Army, Union Members Prepared to Fight for Our Schools and Our Students”
Deja Vue, Again: Can Failing Schools Be Revived – the Endless, So Far, Futile Quest
/ At last Monday’s Board of Regents Meeting the State rolled out the “new” plan to “reimagine accountability” and revive struggling schools, schools in the lowest assessment categories, Targeted School Improvement (TSI) and Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI). Read the report here Unfortunately most CSI and TSI schools are well below resuscitation, and for decades magic bulletsContinue reading “Deja Vue, Again: Can Failing Schools Be Revived – the Endless, So Far, Futile Quest”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 