YOUR TURN: Are we standing by our teachers?
Folks, there’s a storm brewing for teachers in Cleveland County Schools and it’s a storm of category five proportions.
There’s a state of emergency in public education today, and teachers today under attack. The question is … are we standing behind them?
Are we standing behind them as some in our community accuse them of being pedophiles, groomers and political operatives?
Are we standing behind them as their professionalism, training and experience are attacked by those with no educational background?
Are we standing behind them as they endure economic body blow after economic body blow as salaries are frozen and essential benefits are gutted?
Are we standing behind them as they are attacked by aspiring candidates for public office? For example gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson has accused teachers of being "wicked people" and has expressed a desire to gut history and science classes in order to focus on one track math, reading and writing classes.
Are we standing behind them as Megan Morrow, a candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, has plans for teacher bonuses, not for student achievement, mind you, but for students, parents and teachers themselves, to rat out their fellow hard-working conscientious teachers for money for addressing controversial issues in class.
Teachers seem to be punching bags for the difficulties public schools face nowadays.
It’s time to bring back the prestige that teachers were awarded in the good old days, don’t you think?
I say it’s time we begin revering our teachers again. Let me repeat that phrase for emphasis … revering our teachers again
I say it’s time to set aside party politics and work for what’s good for our children and teachers in Cleveland County.
Let's fight for our students and teachers here in our Cleveland County public schools.
Rod Powell is a retired 30 year educator candidate for the Cleveland school board and is a staunch supporter of public school teachers.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: YOUR TURN: Are we standing by our teachers?
