I don't know where you are seeing all this protection or all these rotten
teachers. I've yet to see the NEA step in to help a teacher save his/her job
without just cause. I've seen 4 teachers fired from my school alone, not a
peep from the NEA. Why? Because they deserved to be let go. The NEA is most
certainly behind standards in Pennsylvania, in fact they promote standards
in Pennsylvania. I know because I follow them. In fairness, I work in a
vocational high school. All of our teachers are also professionals in other
fields, including me, and perhaps I see a different kind of teacher than you
see. I see welders, nurses, engineers, carpenters, auto technicians,
electricians, chefs, machinists, etc., all turned teacher. I see hard
working men and women who found out, as I have, that teaching is not as easy
as it looks.
Regarding the NEA: of course they are advocates for teachers, that doesn't
mean they are bad for students, now that, my friend, is a silly conclusion
on your part. Do you find evil in the AMA because it is an advocate for
doctors, and because it's officiated by doctors? Of course not. Same can be
said for cops, lawyers, and God knows how many other professional groups.
Would it be reasonable to expect to see cops running the NEA?
Teachers, at least in Pennsylvania, do NOT have permanent certification.
Don't assume they do. I'm in a class now to satisfy Act 48 requirements. Act
48 simply states: teachers, don't continue going to college and lose your
teaching cert - forever. And by the way, I've earned 5 individual
certifications in the last 8 years. On top of that, I was asked to drive our
school bus on field trips, so I went to night school and got my CDL. I
don't know where you live, but at my school, my students have strong
advocates, beginning with me.

Scout