tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post7816145453353333141..comments2024-03-28T11:57:21.902-04:00Comments on CURMUDGUCATION: VA: Ideas About How To Recruit and Retain TeachersPeter Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16511193640285760299noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-51117458274009979892019-12-27T18:54:27.583-05:002019-12-27T18:54:27.583-05:00I've been retired from the elementary classroo...I've been retired from the elementary classroom in Virginia for almost five years, but my wife still works as an elementary school teacher. Things haven't changed much from my daze. Same tired excuses for under-funding schools. I remember making pleas for real increases in compensation, positions, etc. to local school administrations, local school boards, local county governments, and state representatives. Every time at each level, I would be completely dismissed. Their frequent refrain, "Well, we could do something, but what are you willing to give up?" I finally got so frustrated with banging my head against the wall for students, teachers, and the system that I had to leave the profession. <br /><br />All that being said, the primary teacher union in Virginia isn't powerless, despite operating in a RTW state. What's happened over the past 40 years since bargaining was made unconstitutional is that the VEA and local affiliates redesigned their approach. Focus now is in getting friends of education elected and finding sponsors at the local and state levels to carry forward our agenda. VEA was instrumental in flipping the general assembly into pro-education hands. <br /><br />Now, for the first time ever, with a classroom teacher serving as Secretary of Education and with the state association in the ear of legislators, we have a real chance of right some to the systemic wrongs. The upcoming legislative session will really determine if progress can be made.<br /><br />I'm sort of hopeful...still retired, but hopeful.Newthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09462582676426709639noreply@blogger.com