WHERE ARE YOU?

 

As schools are out for summer, where are all of the public education supporters? Now, more than ever, we must step up our game and focus on reclaiming our education system from the "reformers" and "extremists". These people never sleep. They do not take a summer "vacation" from their attempts to completely destroy and privatize our public schools. Just read the news articles, blogs, and education forums. You can see these "crazies" continue to spread their venom and distraction across the nation. We can no longer stand alone and cry "foul". We MUST unite and take on the daunting challenge of setting the course to return our schools back to their PUBLIC.

Indiana is a hotbed for the "guinea pig" reforms of Bennett, Daniels, Bush, Rhea, and Gates. We can no longer allow these corporate minded "reformers" access to our children or schools. We are doing our children a grave disservice if we take a "summer vacation" while these so called education "experts" continue to dismantle our schools while we sit poolside sipping margaritas and telling "war stories". No, we MUST be in this battle with no opportunity to rest until the last of these destructive reforms is stopped and our children's educational futures re restored to the very PUBLIC that supports them.

I challenge all who read this to share it, get involved, get others involved, spread the word. . . PUBLIC education supporters are here to stay. We are not going away and we are not going to stop. We are ready for battle. We proved last November that we want our schools back from these reform minded individuals who only support corporate greed. We now must show them that November was not a fluke, and it most definitely was a a direct recall of these reform policies. We can do this by starting now to campaign for 2014, 2016, and beyond.

Where are you? Are you in the fight or on the sidelines? Once you answer the question it is time to answer the call to battle. It is time to once again stand up and make our voices heard.

 

TUESDAY TATTLER - TIMEOUT

Today the Tuesday Tattler takes a Timeout from tattling on those who seek to destroy public education.  Instead of tattling on anyone this week, the Tattler looks to explain the existence of Hoosier Voices for Public Education.

Hoosier Voices for Public Education is your Independent Source for PUBLIC Education Information. 

The mission from day one has been that Hoosier Voices is dedicated to the support of Indiana's public schools. We will discuss ideas, share information, and continue to hold our government representatives accountable.  We will discuss ideas and policies that affect the learning environments of Hoosier school children, as well as past, present, and future legislation that seeks to undermine the very characteristic of what it means to be a PUBLIC school in Indiana.  We will work together to stand up for Hoosier school children statewide.

Hoosier Voices prides itself as an "independent" and "free of charge" organization for supporting Indiana's PUBLIC schools.  Hoosier Voices for Public Education is beholden to no one.  This organization does not receive funds from lobbying organizations.  Hoosier Voices is unlike other advocacy groups in that it is an independent source of information flow to public education supporters.  This organization represents ALL of Indiana's public school children, their parents, their teachers, and all who seek to support a traditional public education in the state of Indiana.  This is done without ever asking for "membership fees" to pay lobbyists or to "bankroll" political campaigns.  Hoosier Voices does not pay for lobbyists, as there is a much much larger cause than any one lobbyist can support.  Instead Hoosier Voices acts to inform public education supporters of important situations and circumstances that require each one can act individually to advocate for the public education they support.

Hoosier Voices for Public Education will remain independent in function proactive in supporting Indiana's PUBLIC schools.  Indiana's public school children, parents, teachers, and schools have taken huge hits over the past few years, and it is time for us to stand together to slow the tide of reform, stifle the stealing of PUBLIC education money to fund vouchers for for-profit private/charter schools, and to do so in a manner that is free flowing and transparent.  Hoosier Voices will continue to share the latest happenings in public education around the state and how each individual supporter can get involved to make a difference for Indiana's children.  In essence, Hoosier Voices for Public Education is NOT For Sale! 

Grassroots - Using Social Media to Move Mountains

So, when I was asked to speak at the Occupy DOE 2.0 rally in Washington, D.C., I was surprised, honored, flattered, and horrified.  When I agreed to speak, I was excited and nervous that what I  had to say wouldn't matter much to those who would be listening.  As I outlined my rally "speech", I began to look back at what had been accomplished through our Indiana grassroots movement and saw that we have much to share with the nation about moving the mountains that stand to destroy our beloved PUBLIC schools.  I prepared myself to make the trip to the rally and speak on the DOE steps to motivate and inspire others to become the action necessary to begin to move others to stand up for PUBLIC education.  Unfortunately, as the time drew closer to venture to the rally, I found myself facing a schedule conflict. My wonderful partner decided we should surprise my 12 year old twins with a Spring Break trip to Florida. As much as I was prepared for DC, I most definitely had to choose family first.  So, while my Public education supporting friends and fellow rally speakers will be expressing their passionate views and amazing a difference for our PUBLIC schools, I will be sending my thoughts and energy across the miles in hopes that others become as passionate and emboldened by what they have to deliver to the crowds.  I wish to thank Peggy Robertson for thinking of me and inviting me to speak.  I thank all who will speak for their undying commitment to all of our children and our public education system.  Below, please read the text notes of the speech I would have delivered had I been able to stand on the DOE steps and speak to all who cared to hear.

Grassroots - Using Social Media to Move Mountains

Today, I stand before you as a veteran teacher with 20 years of classroom experience in PUBLIC education.  Yes, I am "only" a teacher, but I am a teacher who has a passion for PUBLIC education.  

I often wonder how  one voice could multiply to thousands to make a difference.  I am not taking credit as that voice, but as one of the many voices seeking change.  I often wonder how I got to the point of becoming an "activist".  In reflection, I guess I have always been an "activist-in-waiting".

So, I created a Facebook page in 2010 as way to vent my anger and frustration with the direction "reformers" were taking public education in Indiana.  I began to seek ideas and information for ending Tony Bennet's reign of terror as he shoved the reforms of Mitch Daniels and Jeb Bush down the throats of Hoosier educators and public school children.  Soon others began to "like" the page to share their personal frustrations and their passion for PUBLIC education.  It was just a matter of time when others created pages along same lines to seek changes in the reforms and to push for our schools to be returned to the public.  Thus, a movement was born.  A movement that started at the base of grassroots and moved to play a surprising upset role in the 2012 Indiana general election.  Indiana's GOP stronghold received a huge blow when our grassroots effort produced upset Democratic winner Glenda Ritz, and defeated education reform's "golden boy".  the rest is history.  Glenda Ritz has taken over the Indiana DOE as Indiana's elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Tony Bennett has been relocated to Florida, where he is looking to continue his destructive ways on another state's public schools.

So how do you turn one voice into a movement? The steps are easy, the process face paced, the stress level high, but the reward can be the ultimate in satisfaction.  Start with a clear purpose that is grounded in passion.  Keep yourself motivated by using that passion as the guide by which you pursue your goals.  Motivate others to take up the cause using their passion.  Then work together to continually motivate one another to push onward toward the goals.  Use the motivating factors of anger, frustration, fear, and excitement to grow involvement and dedication to the cause.  

Focus on your goal at all times.  At times the goal will appear within reach, then it will seem to move further away.  Do not ever give up and think the mountain is too large.  You must focus on the effort to move the mountain and seek ways to turn the mountain back into a mole hill.  As you build your base and distribute information you need to view all information as valuable.  "Borrow" information from others who share the same goal.  Share information whenever and wherever you have the means and access.  Continue to work together.  Do not let the opponent trap you into arguing amongst other cause supporters.  Be factual and direct in delivery.  Know your audience and their level of passion and then adjust your content as the audience dictates.

As you set out to establish your own social media "cause", there are important decisions to be made.  

1.  Decide when to start and when to share pertinent information.

2. Decide where you will share your information (your own page or others).

3. Decide why you will share the information you will share (motivator).

4. Decide how you will share the information (text, pictures, blog, etc.).

Do not get caught up in trying to answer your critics.  Remain focused on your purpose and avoid arguing as you "stir the pot". You must embrace the fact that you are now an advocate for something.  You are becoming an activist for a cause.  Whatever that cause is, be willing to give your full effort and continue to see things through to completion, or to a change in mission to further carry your torch to the next mountain.

Friends, fellow activists, we are at an important point in our history.  We have decided to no longer sit back and watch our elected officials and their corporate cronies dismantle our PUBLIC schools for private profit.  It is time to take your own grassroots campaign to the next level.  Join the social media revolution and use social media to move mountains for future generations.