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What about that teachers' union?

by: Paula Busey
view profile ▪ view other postings from Paula Busey

Article Contributed on: 10/18/2009 7:37:48 PM

Do you wonder what the Douglas County Federation of Teachers and Classified Staff is up to? Are they only interested in elections and bond issues? As a high school librarian and a member of DCF, I can tell you that the union is helping us every step of the way to become master teachers.

Did you know that a large portion of my union dues go to ongoing teacher development classes? This is incredibly important to us as educators, because the number of research articles and studies regarding K-12 education continues to be torrential. It would be impossible to keep up with this scholarship while still designing lessons, teaching, and supporting our kids in numerous extra-curricular activities. My union, comprised of consummate professionals, works with our district to distill the very best teaching practices that work to help all of our kids in the classroom. They make our jobs easier by helping us bring tried and true best practices into our own lessons.

My union also provides training to help us serve our diverse populations so that every child may reach their full potential, whether gifted or special needs, learning English as a second language or preparing for college or career. They train us to serve at-risk children who need special interventions or just extra caring.

My union helps DCSD remain the top-rated school district in Colorado. And because outstanding schools mean higher property values, every citizen in Douglas County benefits from our work.

I belong to the Douglas County Federation of teachers because like me, the number one priority of my union is helping our kids become successful and caring leaders, citizens, scholars, professionals and parents of the future. My union understands that our work is critical to the well being of current and future generations. And that's why DCF is endorsing the Board of Education candidates that share our goals and concerns for the students of this county. Find out more about the endorsements at www.dcft.net. And remember to vote!

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Stephen Catterall wrote on 10/20/2009 @ 5:40:33 PM

Great letter, Paula, but no teacher should be put in a position of having to defend the union. This whole issue of the union in the local school board race is just a red herring, to distract the voters attention from the fact that the candidates anointed by John Ransom are not qualified to serve, have no history of involvement in the schools (other than John Carson warming a seat for the last four years), and want to promote an agenda that primarily serves less than 10% of the student population. This election, for John Ransom, is all about drawing a line in the sand and not allowing any person to be elected in Douglas County who doesn't fit within his narrow ideology.

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Michael Robinson wrote on 10/20/2009 @ 8:29:47 AM

In a publicly held corporation, annual shareholders meetings are held where the shareholders vote for and select the corporate officers. If the corporation has entered into a union contract, it is still the shareholder, not the union boss, that selects the corporate officers. A school district such as the Douglas County School District is akin to a publicly held corporation. The shareholders in this case are the voting taxpayers of Douglas County. Only 38% of Douglas County taxpayers have children in our local public schools. If the school district has entered into a union contract, it is still the voting taxpayer, not the union boss, that selects the school board members. This is democracy in action. Hopefully all of the voting taxpayers will cast their ballot. Let the best person win.