by John R. Alston Trotter, EdD, JD
Due Process protects good teachers from angry, abusive, insecure, incompetent, and vindictive administrators. There is a movement under foot to do away with due process for teachers. You will see more systematic cheating if this occurs. I suspect that the series about “Teacher Quality” by The Atlanta Journal Constitution is part of a cabal to set up the scene for eliminating due process rights for teachers in the Georgia General Assembly next year, the same rights that teachers have enjoyed since the early 1970s.
If a school system is thinking about terminating a teacher (and ruining his or her life forever), then there needs to be a rather stiff premium for doing this. There should be a hurdle in place. The truth of the matter is this: Most teachers resign before a hearing takes place. The move to do away with due process rights is just another Republican move to attempt to make public education like private enterprise. It is NOT private enterprise; it is PUBLIC education, and in PUBLIC education, the classroom educators have to attempt to educate each child sent to his or her classroom. Often times, this gargantuan undertaking has to occur within the direst of circumstances. Some children are intent on disrupting the class and causing all kinds disturbances for those children who are motivated to learn. Also, a significant number of the parents in PUBLIC education are the causes for the dysfunctionality of the children; they themselves are dysfunctional, irate, and irresponsible. On top of this, so many of the administrators these days prefer to inflict torment on the teachers instead of dealing with the structural deficiencies within the school setting and the lack of motivation of the children to learn.
To add insult to injury, a good number (I am not exaggerating) of the egotistical and abusive administrators seem to feel that their positions as administrators entitle them to have sex with whomever they want on their faculties. Shocking? Well, get over it. It happens. And, if a teacher rebuffs an administrator (and it is not always a male administrator), then her (or his) life will be a living hell from then on. Bad evaluations will ensue immediately and the mental torment and emotional toil will even be reflected in physical ailments (and sometimes premature deaths) for the innocent teachers.
And you think that I am concerned that this wicked attempt to fire an innocent teacher will cost the school system a few bucks? Get real. The school system already pays for the Hearing Officer and Tribunal Members (the same members hear cases constantly). To whom do you think that these people are loyal? Good grief. The deck is already stacked against the teachers. But, when the actions of the administrator are so obviously flagrant and egregious, then this gives the superintendent pause about allowing such dastardly actions to see the light of day. This is what protects good teachers against evil and wicked administrators. (c) GTSO, October 9, 2011.
Dr. John,
I have my pitchfork ready.
Now is the time for all good teachers to come to the aid of their students and their colleagues.
What about Hall v. Pelham City Schools? You need to read about this case.
The GSBA is trying to apply SLAPP to a pro se litigant teacher.
Does anyone with a triple-digit IQ think that the GSBA is a friend of GA students or teachers?
Your assessment of this issue is veracious. Maybe MACE should open a shooting range for teachers (hint, hint). Teachers may need more than pitchforks in this climate.
We can kid about pitchforks but let’s not kid about guns.
Craig Spinks –
Really? Dr. Trotter’s pitchfork reference was symbolic of teacher’s frustrations and how they will take action at the POLLS against legislatures. My reference was also symbolic of how action may need to be escalated in the form of voting, viral campaigns, public demonstrations, etc.
You will have to excuse me reference. I am a former APS teacher and my experience has shown me that Atlanta politicians, board members, and administrators are not afraid of pitchforks. See The STRONG Man’s story at http://www.indictbeverlyhall.com/helpforteachers.htm
Really.
Correction – excuse MY reference
Hall vs. Pelham City School District et. al. was filed almost a full year ago in the Middle District of Georgia’s Federal Court (October 26, 2010) and has still yet to have a ruling of a case being at issue. However, the Pro Se litigant teacher has offered an enormous amount of evidence that his due process rights among others were trampled on. The case number is 1:10-cv-00148 (WLS) for anyone who is interested in viewing the case. It was filed in the Albany Georgia division of the Middle District of Georgia and the District has employed the GSBA’s general counsel, Harben, Hartley, and Hawkins, to defend the case.