The Massachusetts Teachers Assn. recently held its annual meeting. You can go here and read about all the things the union did, including presenting awards to people who supported the associatin’s successful campaign to limit the number of charter schools.
However, one action the delegates took was not mentioned.
New Business Item No. 7: Introduced by retired delegates, it called upon the union to “formally congratulate and recognize Sydney Chaffee,” the National Teacher of the Year.
The Massachusetts Teachers Assn. was directed to “send a written letter of congratulations to Sydney Chaffee, and recognize her accomplishment via appropriate social media.”
Ms. Chaffee is the first Massachusetts teacher to win the award.
She is exactly the kind of social justice warrior the current association leadership encourages in its members.
But Ms. Chaffee won’t be receiving a letter of congratulations from the association.
A majority of the delegates voted against it, and for only one reason: Ms. Chaffee teaches at a charter school.
Ms. Chaffee is not a member of the association. The union is under no obligation to acknowledge her existence,
never mind her achievement. Still, it illustrates that what association wants from teachers is not a high level of professionalism, or ability, or even adherence to social justice, but a blind devotion to a strict political agenda.
Congratulations, association.
In light of the story about how the Massachusetts Teachers Assn. couldn’t bring itself to congratulate the National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee because she works in a charter school, I thought it important to mention that its parent union, the National Education Assn., is doing the right thing.
I retweeted this from National Education Assn. President Lily Eskelsen García:
“Congrats to #NTOY17 @SydneyChaffee and to all TOY’s across the country. Your dedication to students is inspiring! https://t.co/XRwVylir4h
— Lily Eskelsen García (@Lily_NEA)”
Ms. Eskelsen García also told Commonwealth that Ms. Chaffee will be invited to address the NEA Representative Assembly in July, as previous national teachers of the year have been.
For those of you worried about what kind of reception Ms. Chaffee will get, fear not. The delegates sat quietly and respectfully listened to Mike Huckabee in 2007 and Arne Duncan in 2009. If there are any squawks at all, they will be minor.
Mr. Antonucci may be contacted at mike@eiaonline.com