MNEA-Missouri National Education Association

‘Only if you let them!’

I ran into a fellow member while shopping a couple of weeks ago. Kathy and I spent a few minutes getting caught up. She shared what was happening at school, talked about the pressure she and the other members in her building were under, and told me about her own teenagers. Kathy and I made small talk about our families. Then she asked me about the hot issues at the state level. I’m not sure she wanted to hear what I had to tell her.

Since we are well into the legislative session, I talked about Missouri NEA’s efforts to make sure every child has a great public school. I told her that means getting bills passed that provide adequate resources, high standards and the support that teachers and other school employees need. Kathy assured me that she trusts MNEA and our ability to get what our schools need to help our kids.

I also told her that we are fighting off attempts to undermine public schools. She didn’t know that out-of-state school voucher groups like All Children Matter are dumping tons of money into Missouri to buy legislators’ votes. She hadn’t thought a lot about those good sounding tax cut proposals or how they will impact Missouri’s ability to fund schools and other state services. Kathy had heard about efforts to weaken teacher certification, even though she didn’t know the specifics about yet another alternative route to teaching through the American Board for the Certification of Educators (ABCTE).

Kathy turned a bit pale when I told her about Rep. Jane Cunningham and her Orwellian efforts to pass legislation that would forbid the courts from ruling on school funding issues. She bristled at the idea of using $40 million in public tax dollars to provide tax credit vouchers for private schools. Kathy wanted to know if they could really do that. I told her, “Only if you let them!”

Kathy assured me that she trusts MNEA. She trusts me. She trusts our staff and state leaders. She reminded me the Association has always stopped these bad ideas and we are known for standing up for children and our public schools. I asked her how long she could avoid getting involved.

Kathy assured me that she is a loyal MNEA member. I told her that now is the time for all loyal members to speak up for our students and our public schools.

You may be thinking of members in your school district who are much like Kathy. You may even be thinking that Kathy sounds a lot like you—good caring teachers and support employees who work very hard to do a good job.

I know how hard you work. I know that you are pressured like never before. I know that you care about your students, but Kathy and you need to know that MNEA cannot do it alone. You and the members back home are the most effective voices for our students and our public schools.

Contact your local association president. Tell her or him that you need to speak up for our students and our public schools. Find out when members from your district are coming to Jefferson City to educate legislators. Remember that efforts to undermine our public schools will succeed only if you let them.

by Greg Jung
MNEA president

Other Reflections

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‘We need to make our voices heard.’

Brazen proposals funnel public dollars to private and religious schools

'Experience the power you have as a member of the NEA.'

'We speak for you.'

‘Students deserve more than a funny-money formula....’

‘Why are they stealing from Missouri kids?'

‘We on the front lines must take charge of making our schools safe for all children.’

‘MNEA is ready to fight this attack on teacher certification, but we cannot do it alone.’

‘Our recommendation process does exactly what it is designed to do.’