Four Recent Must Read Articles in Indiana

Why The Walton Family Foundation Is Upping The Ante In Indiana

Our public schools have never before been subject to such a sustained assault on their very foundations. Never before were there so many people, with such vast resources, intent on dismantling public education,”blogs education historian Diane Ravitch at EdWeek. Ravitch has criticized charter and voucher schools, and says Walton is part of a “Billionaire Boys Club” in education philanthropy.

In Indiana's State Superintendent Race, It's a David vs. Goliath Situation

Tony Bennett vs. Glenda Ritz

Tony Bennett, the well-funded incumbent, is facing Glenda Ritz, a national board certified teacher in Washington Township.  On the surface, it looks like a mismatch.  Tony Bennett has built a national reputation and has had fundraising events in his honor from New York to California.  The Star reported that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated $40,000 to the Bennett campaign.  I have heard reports that Alice Walton of the Walmart fortune has donated $200,000.  The name of Glenda Ritz is still not well known, even by those who have opposed Tony Bennett’s positions.  It looks like a “David vs. Goliath” situation.

I support Glenda Ritz for State Superintendent because I believe Tony Bennett has led us in profoundly wrong directions.  He talks often about accountability, and this election is the accountability program of our democracy.  I believe that he should be held accountable and defeated in his bid for reelection.  I’ll start with four key reasons:

It is Time HCCSC Has a, “But the Emperor is Wearing No Clothes” Moment

The results of a climate survey taken by teachers in HCCSC at the end of the last school year revealed…

·         only 18% of teachers felt valued most or all of the time as an employee.

·         a majority of teachers felt administration has little to no integrity.

·         nearly 80% of teachers felt their opinion does not matter to administration.

·         over 80% of teachers felt disagreement with administration is seldom  heard. (1)

Check Out the Indiana Coalition for Public Eduation Website

Huntington County Parents and  Educators,

Without the united efforts of educators and parents across the state, we will continue to see the dismantling of public education.  When I asked around who the ICPE is,  this bi-partisan coalition, was described by others across the state as "relentless, hardworking folks doing what is best for PUBLIC schools," "(They are) fighting the odious bills the IDOE and legislators keep bringing up," and "doing great work for public schools."

Indiana teachers, can you really afford to place blind faith in current leadership?

Huntington County Community School Corporation (HCCSC) is fortunate to be represented by a talented teacher and speaker who is Indiana's 2012 Teacher of the Year.  Her motivational beginning of the year speech may be remembered by teachers here as the school year progresses.  When burdens of responsibility weigh heavily, some may find inspiration in the video clip The Death Crawl  from the movie "Facing the Giants" she tied into her message.

In the clip, Coach Taylor blindfolds a player to push him to crawl farther than he believes he can down the field while carrying another player on his back. The analogy that we must ignore, or blind, ourselves to our own self-imposed limitations in order to succeed is a good lesson.  Still, at this time, I'm not sure a blindfold analogy is appropriate for educators in Indiana, especially in  HCCSC, because... The blindfold analogy only works if we can trust our leadership.