{"id":2762,"date":"2012-06-07T08:33:35","date_gmt":"2012-06-07T13:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stager.tv\/?p=2762"},"modified":"2025-03-18T16:44:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T21:44:55","slug":"throw-a-few-million-teachers-on-the-barbie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stager.tv\/?p=2762","title":{"rendered":"Throw a Few Million American Teachers on the Barbie"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

American public school educators have been insulted, mocked, punished, shamed, blamed and threatened by politicians, Bill Gates, corporations and the media for a decade. Their professionalism has been reduced by name-calling, scripted curricula, “common core” standards and the publication of standardized test scores. Their schools have become the playthings of  billionaire bullies and hedge fund managers with public school treasure being surrendered to shady privatizers and charter school conglomerates. American public school teachers have watched more of their students come to school hungry and without proper medical care. They’ve watched public education be dismantled by unqualified clowns in NY, Louisiana, Chicago, Michigan and Wisconsin. American teachers have seen their benefits cut, right to organize eliminated, working conditions deteriorate, supplies dwindle and pensions disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what have American educators done about this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing<\/strong>, aside from a handful of really clever blog posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am writing this really clever blog post from Melbourne in the great state of Victoria, Australia. The new conservative state government here in Victoria wants to introduce a pay-for-performance (merit pay) scheme for public school educators and has offered a raise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such a contract offer would be like Xmas in Philadelphia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How has that offer been received by Victorian public school educators?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THEY SHUT DOWN THE ENTIRE F-ING SYSTEM TODAY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s right. 25,000 teachers stayed home, 10,000 marched on Parliament and they closed 150 public schools<\/a>. Parents were politely alerted in advance to make other plans for the day. Many principals supported the strike and even marched with their colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\/<\/a>
Click above for news coverage of the strike<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Teachers here in Australia are not human pi\u00f1ata or professional victims. They stand up for themselves, their students and their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers here have medical insurance, secure pensions and enjoy long-service leave<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Aerial view of teacher protest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Please take a look at this news clip where teachers swarm the city and speak of how they feel insulted by the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n