Meet the HS Gym Teacher Turned Whistleblower: from crimewatchdaily.com

[Smarmie Doofus]

Fairly typical of the public school atmosphere over the last 8 years, I'd say.

Around HERE, anyway.

http://crimewatchdaily.com/2015/11/02/meet-the-high-school-coach-turned-workplace-bully-whistleblower/

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Give it a kick.

OK. Don't mind if I do.

[LWolf]

2. Longer than 8 years.

More like 16.

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. Feels like longer.

But I thought "8" would prompt the most reflection on this board..... which, AS YOU KNOW... is chock-ful of people who somehow have convinced themselves that public ed has *improved* since the accession of the current president.

In fact... it's gotten WORSE. In every respect.

Even the above whistleblower outrage could NOT have taken place prior to Jan. 2009.

Not without consequences. Not without a powerful union reaction.

FF to today : no consequences for the school scammers; no reaction from the union.

[LWolf]

7. Yes.

I probably couldn't pinpoint a real start, although, for me, it was at the state level in the 90s, with California's high-stakes testing movement.

That gained momentum when GWB and the guy that referred to us as "terrorists" took it federal. It has gotten much, much worse the last 7 years, but then, I expected it to, because I paid attention.

I am just exhausted, and haven't had any hope for authentic positive change in a very, very long time.

[NobodyHere]

4. And people wonder why we don't respect teachers

I think too many of us remember teachers and school officials as assholes. I know I do.

[Goblinmonger]

5. I'm sorry that some teachers along the way were asses to you.

But, as a teacher myself, the VAST majority of teachers I know care deeply about their students and try to do their best for them while also trying to get them the content (and about a billion other things). But, then again, maybe I'm just another one of the assholes.

[OriginalGeek]

6. I come from a family of assholes

Nearly everyone on my dad's side (and a few on mom's) was involved with education somehow - My grandfather retired as a regional director for the state dept of ed. Can't even count how many cousins, aunts and uncles are or were teachers. There's a few teachers out there I count as best friends even if they don't remember me at all. When my parents were going through divorce when I was in 6th/7th grade one in particular pretty much made sure I made it through.

I am a huge fan of assholes.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Kick for Sunday a.m. exposure. n/t