I am a teacher in a public school as are many of my friends and may I say that the NEA does NOT represent me or many of my fellow co-workers. The NEA is not representative of its members either, but is instead a political organization. It is highly unfortunate that they are they “voice” of public education because I attest to the fact that they do not represent the ideals many teachers. I know countless teachers who refuse to join the Union (despite much pressure) for many reasons but here are just a few:
1) In almost every state, teachers are automatically signed up to have their dues money diverted to their unions’ political funds. But the facts show that when “paycheck protection” laws require unions to get permission from teachers before taking money for political purposes, teachers almost always say “no.”
2) When teachers were given the chance to opt out of paying for the political causes of education unions, the number of teachers participating in Utah dropped from 68 percent to 6.8 percent, and the number of represented teachers contributing in Washington dropped from 82 percent to 6 percent.
3) As many members voted for Ronald Reagan (44%) as did for Jimmy Carter (44%)
4) More NEA members identified themselves as conservatives (27%) than liberals (21%)
5) A large number — 29 % — said they did “not trust” the union
Read more TRUTH about teachers and the NEA at…
http://teachersunionexposed.com/politicalpower.cfm
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Education/ednotes98.cfm
I know that not all public educators toe the NEA line, nor do they all follow the anti-intellectual fads of progressive education. The school teachers in my own family show me that. Union membership is mandatory and automatic, clicking in as soon as a teacher signs a contract.
I have heard it said that conservatives tend not to get as involved in politics as liberals, since they, almost by definition, are more oriented to the private sphere. Going into business and making money are not bad things for conservatives, as they are for some on the left. Crusading for idealistic causes is not as urgent as spending time with one’s family for those who do not believe in a utopia. So, as was said in a comment on my blog, the conservative teachers don’t get as involved in the union (which they hardly believe in) as the liberal teachers and so don’t get elected to the conventions.
But shouldn’t they? If only to be an obstacle to their union dues being used for political and cultural causes they don’t believe in? Or would that be a futile gesture, and living with this affiliation is just another vocational cross to bear?
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