I had recently had the opportunity to join with other Union Reps at a conference of Education Support Staff in Tampa. It was about information to take back to the members and non-members at our work sites and act as a forum to discuss our concerns, share our stories (both successes and failures) and realize that we are NOT ALONE in our desire for better conditions and pay. Now let me say up front that I have been to a few others and at NO TIME have they ever made me, a Conservative, Republican, Tea Party member feel welcome. This time was DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT and I'm proud that they finally opened their arms to be more inclusive because, though we may be in the minority we can't afford to alienate ANYONE.
Now here's where I get to tick off some of you who may read this, oh well get over it, this is how I see it and if you don't like it put your head back into the sand. The overall appearance and feel of this and events like it that I've participated in are not much different than the Sales Seminars that I once went to when I was in the business world. It was a lot of how to recruit, keep and convince others to join our cause. It had motivational speakers, a rah rah party called "Fun Night" (which I'll discuss in a moment) and the opportunity to network with ideas, stories and concerns.
For those of you who don't know, didn't think about it or just didn't care the term "Support Staff" refers to anyone who is NOT either an actual Teacher or Administrator (in some capacity) or other Supervisor like the Superintendent etc. These people are often Paraprofessionals (a teacher without a degree or the pay that goes with it); Bus Drivers; Secretaries; Cafeteria Workers; Maintenance / Custodial Workers or anyone that supports the day to day school your child attends. If you don't think they're needed think about what would happen if they, not the Administrators or the Teachers didn't show up just ONE DAY.
1. If your child makes a mess who would clean it up?
2. Who will hand out supplies to the younger children?
3. Who will answer the phone or make sure your concern is directed accordingly.
4. If the toilet overflows, who will clean it up?
5. When the teacher has to exit the room who will watch and care for them?
Wait, NONE of the above would ever happen because there would be NO BUS DRIVERS to pick them up so all of this FALLS ON YOU!!!
These people, some with advanced degrees, do this EVERYDAY your child is in school and yet YOU, YOUR School Board and Legislators want to treat them like second class citizens. Often times they must work 2 jobs because the County pays them almost minimum wage. So you ask "why" would they do this? Even my wife says "They made that choice." Yes they did and be VERY THANKFUL that they did make that choice. I DARE YOU to just try and do their job and no you wouldn't do it for the pay and lack of benefits they get...at least NOT here in Florida. The FEA, their Union, does their best to make life just a little bit better for them by fighting Tallahassee on a daily basis but most of these people make so little they can't afford the dues to become members. So when it comes to contracts and RESPECT for their contribution to YOUR child's education they are often forgotten or overlooked. They have families and lives also, just like YOU and THEY ALSO PAY TAXES AND VOTE! It is time they are recognized accordingly by YOU!
Okay I got your attention, now there I was sitting back in the seminars and I listened and interjected when and where I could with my take on things from a Conservative point of view. Unlike some of the participants who were also Conservative, I wore it on my chest and dared anyone to confront me. Whether they could or couldn't, many found me to be exactly what they assumed a Tea Party member would be; arrogant and egotistical. Sorry to disappoint them but there were more than just me there and these quiet members are probably their best friends. I just hate being a lemming and I'm not afraid to engage, if I was I wouldn't be doing this blog. Now since I'm on the "engaging" rant let's go back to "Fun Night". Oh boy, skits and songs, not unlike a Pep Rally complete with roasting the enemy team, in this case Gov. Rick Scott, who many in the room voted for but they'd never admit it. I listened for a few moments then walked out, it was INAPPROPRIATE and in POOR TASTE. As I said we can't afford to alienate ANYONE and this did it and so I left, leaving my Song Book behind, darn. The funny part is that I was joined within a few moments by one of my liberal friends who agreed with me. For as much as I dislike President O'Bama, if I was trying to rally "Activists" against him, I certainly wouldn't do it in such a way to belittle those who may have voted for him, but hey, that's just me.
Oh and there's something I liked that came out of this adventure. Someone in either the FEA or the NEA or somewhere came up with the thought to replace "Volunteer" with "Activist" and I find it PERFECT! Someone who knows who came up with this, let everyone else know whose idea this was so they may be thanked. Anyone who is fighting for a cause is an Activist and though they may Volunteer their time they aren't volunteerists (is that even a word)? Another thing that I really liked was the "Inclusion Theme" wanting to make the Conservatives feel welcomed, except for "Fun Night". When I as at earlier events they were hard on or even condesending toward Conservatives but not this trip. I know I said it before but this was really exceptional. They, the Speakers and Organizers, went out of their way to even mention that there were Republicans who voted in our favor and Democrats who didn't; BRAVO!
So, now that I'll come off my soap box, do I think these junkets are important, YES! Times are tough all over but these people do something very special, they take care of YOUR KIDS, stop allowing them to go UNNOTICED, UNAPPRECIATED and especially UNDERPAID...odds are your paperboy makes more money and yet can he write a lesson plan, comfort an autistic child, control 20 or 30 children on a bus or maybe answer the phone, schedule students and call down a teacher all at the same time...CAN YOU! Would you make sure a child has lunch money when you know you may never get it back and yet that same money may have been for an afternoon coffee from 7-11, (they often can't afford Starbucks). Would YOU clean up the vomit or the blood from a child, not your own, as if it were just another day at the office? Would YOU buy classroom materials with money that was supposed to pay a bill just because you're classroom kids needed them? These people do this EVERY DAY, WOULD YOU! Next time you see someone from your school, thank them but more than that write, call and lobby your local and state legislators to stop making budget cuts from those who can least afford it and who do a most important job, they CARE FOR YOUR CHILD!
One last thing, print this and give it to a friend, neighbor, or better yet your School Board and Legislator.
Doc
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