Thread by @AuntVerity

(1) Dear America,

Teaching is an honorable profession.

Most teachers love kids, work extremely hard, and are highly educated.

Not all teachers are radical liberals.

#KeepReading

(2) As a professional educator,

I've been shocked by social media and news stories

of teachers who behave unprofessionally,

of teachers who behave criminally,

of teachers who use their captive audience for political purposes.

#KeepReading

(3) These people are in the minority.

They are bad apples (pun intended).

As in any profession,

there are those who are not honorable.

This is unacceptable.

#KeepReading

(4) The rotten apples

always get the attention of the media.

While every day, good, hardworking, caring teachers

see their profession torn apart.

#KeepReading

(5) Not all states have unions.

Not all teachers belong to unions.

There are lots of conservative teachers.

Teachers don't have to be Democrats.

Unfortunately, many are.

And some are radical.

#KeepReading

(6) Just like the left paints broad brushstrokes over groups of people,

the right paints broad brushstrokes over teachers.

Good teachers and schools are judged by the actions

of the bad apples.

It's a perception issue.

#KeepReading

(7) Think about it this way:

A black man resists arrest for a crime.

He is shot by police.

It's caught on video.

It's horrifying to watch.

#KeepReading

(8) The video captures the extreme emotions of the person recording it.

It doesn't tell the whole story.

Rumors float.

Tensions rise.

Anger boils.

The media stokes the fire.

Perceptions are warped.

Protests.

#KeepReading

(9) The facts come out weeks, months, or even a year later.

But the facts no longer matter.

Mob mentality acted as judge and jury.

The same thing happens to teachers.

A teacher behaves abominably.

It's captured on video

The mob calls for their head.

#KeepReading

(10) Now everyone is bashing the awful teachers and schools.

Perceptions are warped.

All teachers and schools are painted with a broad brush.

Teachers and schools are forever caught in political battles.

#KeepReading

(11) Most of the politicians have no idea what they're talking about.

Most people who spout off about what's going on in schools have no idea what they're talking about.

Now hear this:

TEACHERS VOTE.

#KeepReading

(12) There are approximately 2.5 million teachers in America.

Their votes count.

Most vote Democrat.

Why?

The Democrat party makes false promises and uses rhetoric to appeal to people with big hearts.

Teachers have big hearts.

#KeepReading

(13) But let me be clear -

Not all teachers are Democrats.

Many of US are conservative.

We have big hearts too,

but we've seen the light.

Treating teachers like the enemy will NOT bring them over to our side.

#KeepReading

(14) It's time to WAKE UP TEACHERS.

But in order to do that,

conservatives (AKA REPUBLICANS) need to WAKE UP as well.

You will not win over soft hearts with harsh rhetoric and accusations.

You will not win over teachers until you learn how to LISTEN.

#KeepReading

(15) The majority of teachers simply want what's best for their students.

They are overworked and underpaid.

The stress is real.

I could tell you stories that would break your heart

and shock you into tomorrow.

The things that I've witnessed over the years...

#KeepReading

(16) Most teachers are practical in nature.

They are just as frustrated with curriculum mandates (such as Common Core)

as the general public.

They feel as if their voice is unheard.

It's amazing how politicians use education as a political tool,

#KeepReading

(17) but rarely listen to teachers whose boots are on the ground.

Administrators are similar.

There is a reason teachers call the next curricular or program a "bandwagon".

Now here is my point:

#KeepReading

(18) Teachers are in desperate need of RED PILLS.

They need to wake up.

But they will not wake up to the enemy.

@GOP Republicans tend to act like the enemy.

No Child Left Behind was the brainchild of Ted Kennedy.

It was enacted by President George Bush.

#KeepReading

(19) NCLB began the rise of standardized testing.

Standardized testing is a multi-billion dollar monster that has had a terrible impact on schools.

Teachers really do hate the tests.

^^^Starting place.

Think.

Supporting the majority of teachers

#KeepReading

(20) doesn't mean putting up with the radical bad apples.

We can pluck out the rotten apples,

and still, support teachers.

There are changes that we can make for the better.

But we need our political leaders to LISTEN.

Please help me

MAKE SCHOOLS GREAT AGAIN

(21) I sent a long letter to @BetsyDeVosED with the challenges and ideas for improving public schools.

I received a thank you reply back from a staffer.

I met with my local Republican state rep.

I was amazed at how much he understood.

#KeepReading

(22) I promise you that my liberal colleagues don't know that there are conservatives on their side.

We need to change the perception.

I would LOVE to have a sit down talk with @BetsyDeVosED

I have IDEAS. Innovative IDEAS.

#KeepReading

(23) I want to harden our schools. I have ideas about that.

I want to improve our schools. I have ideas about that.

I want to bring rigor and discourse back to our schools. I have ideas about that.

I'm just a wee bit frustrated. Can you tell?

MAKE SCHOOLS GREAT AGAIN #MSGA