tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post1164213076398458569..comments2024-03-29T04:34:05.185-04:00Comments on CURMUDGUCATION: UnityPeter Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16511193640285760299noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-3985972707919341542014-08-09T15:06:56.875-04:002014-08-09T15:06:56.875-04:00Peter, I wonder how many people start out reading ...Peter, I wonder how many people start out reading this saying, "Yeah, That is so right", until they see their group mentioned? <br /><br />I have thought this way ever since I started to question the fearless leadership of the Vietnam War, then when I started teaching, the UFT who ignored us newbies. I have continued to try to "hold up the mirror" to those who I worked for and leaders I worked with. With tenure as a teacher, I could do that. Some of my principals and supervisors welcomed it and some didn't. <br /><br />Organizations, no matter how true to their just cause, will always need members who "hold up the mirror" without fear. But will they?<br /><br />David Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09667231702023030531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-34353462109140375312014-08-09T09:09:52.654-04:002014-08-09T09:09:52.654-04:00Their singularity of vision is definitely an asset...Their singularity of vision is definitely an asset. But the enforcement of it can be unnecessarily harsh at times. I am a big BAT fan, but I have no illusion about the group as a place to share viewpoints and discuss varied ideas. That's fine. I don't expect them to be all things to all people, and they've done some good course correcting over the last year. They have done some great, great work, no doubt about that.Peter Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16511193640285760299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-74351940841880000552014-08-09T08:04:44.478-04:002014-08-09T08:04:44.478-04:00"There is often a fear in leadership that deb..."There is often a fear in leadership that debate and disagreement will weaken the group. But spirited and principled debate is often the best path to strength and unity." Regarding NEA and AFT, I wholeheartedly agree: These are important groups to their members in numerous ways, and the level of diversity is much more extreme. <br /><br />But regarding BATs? Different creature altogether. BATs is an optional group with a set of specific, clearly defined positions. They charge no dues, and members are defined by their own choice to ally with the organization. BAT admin constantly asks members in their FB group, "Are you in the right group"? In other words, sharing a specific and delineated vision, values, and goals is what defines a BAT. A pro-Common Core assertion in BATs is not tolerated, nor should it be. A question about the nuances of BATs position on the Core, however, is certainly allowed...until the conversation jumps the track. <br /><br />Given the rather astonishing success of BATs in such a small amount of time, the effectiveness of this strategy is clear. BATs provides a meeting room at the World Teachers Convention, and a sign is posted outside the door: If you agree with all this, step inside, and let's strategize, organize, and take action. If you don't, please look at the signs posted outside the other convention room doors.Larry Graykinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00935855504150187271noreply@blogger.com