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Responding to “Dissension in DPS...”

This letter has not been edited

Dr. Kris Enright, Englewood, Ed.D., Executive Director, Professional Association of Colorado Educators

Published August 25, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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In response to Friday’s “Dissension in DPS...” article.

We know why you teach.

Kudos to Ms. Buckley and her DPS colleagues for taking a stand and choosing to focus on the needs of students (i.e., Friday’s “Dissension in DPS ranks over contract talks: Many teachers want settlement"). Indeed, empowered and informed educators should view themselves as professionals, should become actively engaged in improving their profession, and should always promote what is best for children. Educator associations, dedicated to advancing the teaching profession and promoting educational excellence, should promote collaboration instead of confrontation, should inspire rather than intimidate, and should accurately represent the views and needs of members, only taking stands when a supermajority of members demand action.

The Professional Association of Colorado Educators (PACE) believes that strikes and boycotts are detrimental to students and to the reputation of teachers as professionals. While we do not provide “envelopes of cash.to buy doughnuts for teachers passing out fliers,” we do provide advocacy, protection, and professional development resources (i.e., scholarships, classroom mini-grants, partnerships, and sponsorships). We actively support a variety of personal professional development and educational advancement initiatives which will improve teachers’ skills, their knowledge, and ultimately their profession. Such should be the primary purposes of an educator association.

Education is indeed a calling. However, professionalism is a choice.

Therefore, we applaud DPS professional educators. We encourage them to remember why they teach and hope they choose to “focus on the kids.” After all, the behavior of one teacher or a group of teachers reflects upon us all.

For more information about PACE, please visit www.ColoradoTeachers.org.

Comments

  • August 26, 2008

    11:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ben_Arvada writes:

    Wechasa, I think you just proved Dr. Enright's point.

  • August 26, 2008

    11:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BO writes:

    Wechasa has a point.
    Most teachers I have known, including myself (I'm currently doing something else) did get into the profession because we wanted to help kids reach their potential. While it is something I deeply wanted to do, it doesn't include a vow of poverty (I know-I'm being sarcastic with this remark). While most teachers care about their students and (for the most part) love their jobs, that care and love doesn't pay bills- money does. We are no different from anyone else. I don't know anyone in any profession that doesn't want to make more than they currently do, yet teachers constantly get bashed for doing so. It is possible for teachers to fight for better benefits AND care for their students at the same time. I don't understand how these two desires became mutually exclusive of one another.

  • August 26, 2008

    11:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    iworkforkids70 writes:

    Wechasa, you sound too angry to be around children. Maybe you need a time out. You, sadly, are an example of why I left teaching in Denver Public Schools. Any group or individual who places their needs above those served will inevitably succumb to adonis-like obsessions. Some of us teachers seek to work WITH our school districts instead of in opposition. Our leaders are not our adversaries. We will all sink or survive together. Your problem...well you think you speak for all of us. That is exactly Dr. Enright's point. Perhaps you need to re-read the letter above. Despite what you may think, your school is really not about you. It is about the children who attend there.

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