WREC rep campaign

Vote Wednesday September 10, 7:00AM Library

Elect Tim McKenna for WREC Building Representative

on allowing challenge to the Status Quo

A viable education organization has to share some principles, be willing to relentlessly question the status quo and test new methods on insights shared, by planning, carrying out and evaluating initiatives as the normal course of business. Teachers should have the power to initiate and evaluate change. I think it is a mistake to have a union that fights against change and experimentation, but it a worse mistake to rush through change in a way that dis-empowers teachers. Sometimes I feel that that dis-empowerment is done in the name of "autonomy"

the job of building representative

• I worked as building representative last year and liked the job of being an advocate for teachers.
• I worked with teachers and administration to ensure that teachers had at least 40 minutes of planning time each day. Teachers asked to sub only sub for 1/2 of an 80 minute period.
• Change requires informed consensus. As building rep I slowed the rush to voting on changes in schedule and working conditions allowing and insuring:
  • adequate time to inform teachers before a vote
  • clear written descriptions of both sides of the issue
  • secret voting

This is my 4th year as a teacher and BTU member. I teach humanities at PATH. I have mostly positive but somewhat mixed feelings about the role of the teacher's union in creating quality schools. I went to the rep training last year. I was dismayed at the defensive posture of the union and the lack of discourse on education. Teachers, rather than administrators and consultants are the people best situated to advocate for change that works. The union is the best voice the teachers have.

To me it is still all about the teachers. Everything useful I have learned about teaching has been from other working teachers. Teachers are the people in the building who have the most potential to touch and change the lives of young people.