Me neither...Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, one of this country's most visible leaders in education, is visiting District 150 today. The pjstar is reporting that Weingarten is here because Peoria is on the "cutting edge" of "education reform". Did you hear that Peoria - what we have before us is "cutting edge education reform".
What is being called "cutting edge", is the restructuring of Manual and the development of a teacher evaluation tool that is to be used at Manual (which is said to likely be a model for the rest of the state). Having said all that, do we really believe Weingarten is in town to commend the "education reforms" as stated above?
Lately local teacher's union rabblerousers have ratcheted up the dialogue against Edison, Manual and Quest (all entities negotiate contracts with teachers outside the union), call me a skeptic, but it is doubtful that Weingarten is in town to slap Teacher's Union President, Bobby Darling on the back.
The question of the day: Why is a powerful politician - Randi Weingarten really in Peoria - did she get lost on her way to Chicago?
She was involved in the unseating of D.C. Schools Chancellor, Michelle Rhee and the subsequent unseating of D.C. Mayor, Adrian Fenty. Is she in Peoria to put her two cents in on the negotiation of the contract for the Peoria Teacher's Union?
While all of the big wigs are running around town spending our tax dollars, riding in caravans, eating at steak houses and talking the dollars of education, what does any of this really have to do with what our parents and children are dealing with every day? Will there be any discussions about what is best for children and families?
Also in town...Dr. W. Patrick Dolan, a nationally recognized consultant on education reform. Mr. Dolan will be presenting at a forum alongside Bobby Darling. The presentation is entitled "Reforming Schools in Peoria". It is reported that the topic relates to efforts by Mr. Darling and Dr. Dolan to move into a new era of education unionism.
If Darling (as the elected leader of the Teacher's Union) enlisted Patrick Dolan - exactly who invited Randi Weingarten?