AMERICAN TEACHERS ABUSED: Is is Systemic?

Are American teachers abused? As shocking as this may sound, more and more evidence suggests that they are.

In a recent survey by Public-Agenda, 80% of teachers join unions because they are "afraid". "...teachers are vulnerable to school politics or administrators who abuse their power", revealed one teacher"...without unions, teachers facing unfair charges would have nowhere to turn." So, are teachers just paranoid or are they really subjected to abusive conduct? If this is so, what impact (long-term and short-term) does this have on our school systems? At a time when national focus is on "a highly-qualified teacher in every classroom" why are so many new teachers (50% after five years) leaving? An ominous cloud is hovering over the profession and no one seems concerned.

Numerous studies have revealed time and time again that the quality of teacher a child has directly impacts their academic success. When so much emphasis is put on our children "competing" in the global markets, the role of the teacher should be more significant than ever before; yet clearly, the challenges confronting them are so destructive that the majority leave and anyone interested in becoming a teacher, knowing their fate, will avoid it all together.

Take a recent incident where a teacher in New York City was blamed for a student boycott against standardized testing. "We had a whole bunch of these diagnostic tests all year. They don't even count toward our grades. The school system's just treating us like test dummies for the companies that make the exams." expressed one student. Following the protest, and a private meeting with students and administrators, a young teacher, Doug Avella, was suspended and sent to what has now become known as The Rubber Room (more about this place later). Mr. Avella, denied being behind the protest; he did, however, admit to teaching his students how to think critically. He is now fighting for his career.


Few specifics are known, but there is much speculation. Reading the numerous blogs and speaking with colleagues, the system is clearly dysfunctional. It is disconcerting that the system is so severely broken that all the principals and values that inspired it (not to mention our nation) have been blatantly abandoned. The reaction of the administrators clearly reveals a school system that is more interested in controlling, and manipulating students then teaching, nurturing and guiding them.


Public protest is so much a part of the America tradition, shouldn't these students and their teacher have been praised rather than punished? In a nation that, up until this election, has seen an unengaged and indifferent citizenry, shouldn't we be delighted to see young people participating in such a thoughtful, mature manner? Aren't these the kind of individuals we want in our democracy?


The students, according to the articles in the New York Times, and New York Daily News, were clearly discouraged by these tests. Research has proven that, for the most part, standardized tests are not an accurate measurement of knowledge; in fact, because preparation for these tests emphasize rote learning, the proverbial, "teach-to-the test" methodology, our students are being subjected to the lowest form of teaching and learning. Knowing this, shouldn't this boycott have been embraced overwhelmingly?



Now, we wait. What will happen to Mr. Avella? As mentioned previously, he was sent to The Rubber Room. What is it and where is it? A documentary is currently being produced called The Rubber Room (http://www.rubberroommovie.com/). It will disturb you. Teachers who have had allegations made against them who work in the New York Public School system are sent there. No due-process, no investigation, no chance to defend themselves, they are just left there; teachers who clearly must not be in the classroom with teachers who clearly should be in the classroom. Is this Guantanamo Bay in New York City?

Why is this happening in our country? Where are the powers that were created to help protect our citizens from this kind of injustice? Where are the unions, that teachers join to protect them? It seems no one cares.

The facts unmistakably reveal abuse. The focus is on New York, but make no mistake the stories are nationwide. Our school system reeks of a stench that is so foul that is permeates every school district in our country and is rapidly stripping away the hopes and dreams of our children and our future. In a nation that perceives itself to be so great and criticizes others for their atrocities, we have the audacity to allow this to happen. It's criminal!

So, all we can do is wait for someone to care. Do you?

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