Max, the first thing wrong with this anecdote is that is begins with, "An
attorney on the radio last week related a story . . . "
There are so many things that sound fishy with this story, that I'd need to
see something verifiable. It just doesn't ring true, and sounds like a
lawyer tying to make a case for his client (i.e., he needs a villain). I am
interested however, and looking for the story myself; so far no luck. It
should be a fairly easy story to find. If you see the story, preferably with
two sides, please post it.
Several year's ago I was Pennsylvania's New Teacher of the Year. Part of the
reason for that was that I was at school an hour before and at least an hour
afterschool for kids who needed extra help. The other teachers had no
problems with this, and I can't understand why any would, unless there is
more to this story than the radio lawyer has let on. Please keep me posted
if you hear more.
Scout


"Maxprop" wrote
{snip}.
Another anecdote (and I
sincerely wish I could find a reference for you to read, but I've been
unable to do so). An attorney on the radio last week related a story
about
a teacher in San Diego (I think) who taught in a school predominately
composed of disadvantaged Hispanic students. Few, if any of them, got
into
college. And this teacher, I believe his name was Jaimie (pronounced
Hi-me), decided this was unacceptable. He began to teach after-school
classes on test-taking to help kids perform well on the SATs and other
college admission exams. And it was a resounding success. The percent of
kids getting into colleges and universities jumped dramatically, thanks at
least in part to his help. But his fellow teachers were miffed, claiming
he
made them "look bad" by comparison. So they engaged the NEA to assist
them
with their plight. The NEA applied pressure, both legal and political
(via
the school administration), against Jaimie. Ultimately he grew weary of
the
fight, threw up his hands, and quit. He's now doing something outside of
education. The teachers were able to get a blurb in the statewide (?) NEA
newsletter, lauding their efforts in getting rid of "a problem teacher."