Political involvement

I've never been very politically active.  For whatever reason, politics were not a priority.  Now that I'm older, I see the mistake in that.  Politicians make laws.  They determine how are taxes are used. They decide the direction of our cities, our state, and our country.  By not being politically active outside of voting, I've let others decide my fate and the fate of my state and nation.

This year, all of that changed. My eyes have been opened and I see the potential harm that can come from allowing the wrong people to be in office.  Politicians (I wish I could say statesmen, but they aren't) are elected to serve the people.  All the people. Sadly, many choose to serve their base and leave the rest to fall.  I've let that happen.  I've not let my voice be heard.  By not speaking out and talking to our leaders, I've allowed others (lobbyists, special interest groups, campaign contributors) to get the ears of our leaders and take us places we don't need to be.  It is time to change that.

My voice may be small and quiet, but it is a voice.  When I join with others who have the same voice, we can bring about change.  That is what we are trying to do right now with public education in Texas.  The first hurdle is the Republican Primaries.  If we win this race, change will be much easier to put in place.   If not, we will be running uphill.  But we will keep running.  The future of Texas is on the line and I will not give up.  Not now. Not ever.

Where do they stand? - For Texas Educators

Normally, I don't get very involved in politics.  This year is different.  The public school system in Texas is under attack and I refuse to stand on the sidelines and watch the battle.  I wrote this post for educators to see the stances of those who wish to represent them as Lieutenant Governor of Texas. I was especially disturbed by current Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's responses, or should I say lack of responses.  It seems to be a thumb of the nose to Texas educators saying, "If you want to know where I stand, go look it up yourself.  But don't bother me."

Where do they stand? 

Recently, the Texas PTA sent out a questionnaire to the four candidates for Texas Lieutenant Governor. The questions had to do with education and public schools.

Below are links to the responses from all candidates, both Republican and Democrat. Please read so you can make an informed decision when you go to the polls and vote in the Primaries. Remember, whoever wins the primary for each party will be their candidate for Lieutenant Governor. In Texas, which tends to vote Republican, whoever wins the Republican primary is usually the favorite to win the general election in November.

As public school educators, it is imperative that we choose someone who best represents the interests of public school children, educators, and retirees.

Republican Candidates:

Scott Milder: https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-milder

Dan Patrick: https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-patrick

Democratic Candidates:

Mike Collier: https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-collier

Michael Cooper: https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-cooper

Remember, early voting begins Tuesday, February 20 and the official Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 6. 

#BlowingTheWhistle

Last week, Empower Texans sent a letter to a number of Texas educators asking them to be "whistleblowers" against districts that used school resources to encourage people to vote. Empower Texans is a highly conservative group that is also vocally pro school choice/voucher and supports candidates with this same stance. 

Instead of firing back angrily, Texas educators decided to turn the tables instead. They took to Twitter this week to "blow the whistle" on the great things that public educators are doing.

The next step is for Texas educators and public education supporters to get to the polls and vote for pro-education candidates in the primaries, particularly the Republican primaries, in March.  

I’m #blowingthewhistle on my teacher friends who spend extra hours, use their own money, and lose sleep trying to ensure that their students have the best learning environment possible. (@bbcorno)

Hey @EmpowerTexans I’m #blowingthewhistle on our Sped teachers and aides who work with students across every grade level and subject no matter the students disability all in a public school setting with no vouchers needed. (@bagrumbles)

Hey @empowertexans I'm #blowingthewhistle on my daughter's kinder teacher and all the parents who chip in our own money to buy snacks for her class, so everyone can have enough brain power throughout the day to learn to read and no one goes hungry. (@mrsbriggle)

Hey, @EmpowerTexans, I’m #blowingthewhistle on @Roxanne_Will & all the librarians who make sure kids have the books they love to read. #blockvote (@breckq)

@EmpowerTexans #blowingthewhistle on teachers who will stop at nothing to get students with disabilities the services they deserve Bc we want to see them SUCCEED #blockvote #txed #TxLege (@heyitsjay14)

Hey, @EmpowerTexans, I'm #blowingthewhistle on every teacher working late tonight and heading in early tomorrow, staying late, spending their own money on classroom needs and somehow staying relentlessly positive day in and day out... #txed #txlege (@JoelNihlean)

@EmpowerTexans I’m #blowingthewhistle on my colleagues and myself who love our students like our own kids. We do more than just teach, we build relationships. We spend our own $ on supplies and foster a safe environment in our classrooms. (@celintx55)

@EmpowerTexans I am #blowingthewhistle on a teacher who takes her student’s clothes home to wash every Friday afternoon so they will have clean clothes to wear on Monday morning. #ETgohome (@CajunTexan77)

@EmpowerTexans I am #blowingthewhistle on my math team. We all completely turned our classrooms into operating rooms when teaching ‘order of operations.’ The kids had their own surgical masks and caps, simulated operating room sounds...the works! (@CarolJFernandez)

I am #blowingthewhistle on my children's teachers. They are a second mom/ dad to them while they are at school. They love them, push them, and grow them. @EmpowerTexans go slink back to whatever rock you came from (@CounselorCG1)

Hey @EmpoweringTexans I’m #blowingthewhistle on all the dedicated paraprofessionals who serve kids faithfully despite being paid so little. (@breckq)

Public educators in Texas are doing great things, often with very limited materials or funding. If it will benefit a child, Texas public school educators will do it. That's just who we are. Don't ever let the words and actions of those who don't support public education change that.