The straw that broke the camel’s back.  Opening up the floodgates.  Women, and men, all over the country are finally sick and tired of being treated with disrespect in the workplace and are speaking up about those who are harassing or assaulting them sexually.  And somehow, we’re all surprised when we hear who has been doing the harassing.  Anyone who feels, for whatever reason, that they have superiority over another often claim the right to harass them.  I see this all the time at school among students.  It’s all over seemingly minor things but it’s not the subject itself that should be of concern, but the attitude with which it is said or done.  There have always been, and will always be those who feel like they have the right to lord it over others.  Whether it’s because they are of a certain ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, educational level or political party, there are those who feel others are beneath them, and therefore subject to their harassment and/or judgement.

But I’m going to step out on a limb here and suggest that sometimes it happens because the one being harassed allows it to go on.  Their fear of what might happen to them if they say something is greater than the fear of the harassment itself.  The harassment might not continue if stopped right away.  So many times we’re surprised or taken aback by someone who says or does something we’re not expecting.  But as soon as we get over that, we need to begin saying something.  In a twisted sort of way, it’s not fair to the person who is doing the harassing if we allow it to continue and then we blow the whistle.  Why not give the person the opportunity to change earlier without getting them fired?

But let’s step away from the headlines for a few minutes and talk about education, because that’s what I feel more qualified to speak about.  And the fact that for many years now, people in government, with no educational background are deciding how children should be taught in the public schools.  Now when I say no educational background, obviously we’ve all been to school, but we’ve not all been taught the art of teaching.  For some reason, because everyone has been to school, they feel they have the right to lord it over teachers who actually have the training.  It would be like saying, I’ve been to the doctor, so I know what the doctor should be doing.  Ridiculous.

As teachers, we talk about the problems in education.  Too many students in a classroom, new technology and training at every turn, accountability expectations that are in actuality, busy work, no ability to give appropriate consequences to students for their inappropriate actions.  No ability to make the decision to stay on a topic a little longer to make sure all students have it because the curriculum is timed and scripted.  Contracts not being honored because teachers are expected to be team players and step up to do whatever is needed whenever, even if it’s outside of their subject area.  Training in areas like trauma and suicide that are lumped on top of everything else. So, why is it that teachers only speak of these things with close colleagues or in union groups where they feel safe and not to the people who need to hear it?  It’s because they’re afraid.  Afraid of losing their job, or being transferred to a new school or having additional duties as assigned.  If we’re not speaking up, we’re allowing those who have power over us to succeed in their cause, even though they have no training in what we do.

Everyone is allowed their opinion of course, and because everyone has had experience with schooling in some form, they have their perceptions of what is good and bad in education. But I’m talking to teachers now.  When are we going to be brave enough to step up, and as a group talk to governors and legislatures, superintendents and administrators and let them know that enough is enough?  When are we going to speak up for kids who need to have adequate time in each subject area to have a well rounded education?  When are we going to speak up about the unnecessary testing that stresses kids out and takes away time that could be used for additional learning.  Assessments are obviously necessary to document progress, but there shouldn’t be testing for days on end and teaching to the test.  Authority should be given back to the classroom teacher, working with parents in the best interest of their child without government interference.  And what do they hold over our heads?  Money.  Without all the assessments and accountability, no government money.  So, we are made puppets of people who have no idea what real education is all about.  Again, I ask, when are we going to speak up?

But, you may say, that’s what my local union and NEA and lobbyists are for!  Yes, and they do a great job, but there is always strength in numbers.  Maybe it starts with talking with the team leaders in your school.  Then maybe your team leaders with your administrator.  And your administrator to other administrators.  Sound like a pipe dream?  Maybe, but look at what’s happening when people speak up about harassment.  With the right documentation/proof, great change can be made.  The question is, as teachers, are we going to remain afraid or are we going to start speaking up?  It certainly never hurts to try and you never know where it might lead. Perhaps a better educational system for the students who mean so much to all of us.