Letters

Teach Tolerance
I was disturbed by Barbara Joan Grubman's attitude in the (May) Debate over teaching tolerance in school. Yes, attitudes are formed in early childhood and throughout a child's life at home. However, we must never underestimate the impact a teacher has on a child.

In my very diverse school, when I encounter intolerance of other cultures from children, parents, or even other teachers, I model respect for everyone. My students learn from me that everyone is important. I say it with words and I say it with my actions.

Schools are, without question, a place to teach tolerance. For some students, school is the only place to learn this important lesson.

Rebecca Hall
Mayfield, Ohio

Boom for Whom?
Hats off to Tamara Sober Giecek and NEA Today for the piece on economic reality (My Turn, May). Rather than remain subservient to big business, perhaps someday public education will provide the "system of checks and balances" the corporate-controlled government has failed to maintain, if it ever existed.

Carl Johnson
Bloomfield, New Jersey

Marriott Marks
In your report card (News, May), you gave Sodexho Marriott Services a "remove from school grounds." As a former employee of Marriott, I can't agree more.

Sodexho has a negative impact on school staff, the school plant itself, the town, the budget, and, most important, the children. It's not just a union issue.

Sodexho does nothing but try to make as much money as possible. They know that once a district fires its own employees and signs a contract with Sodexho, it's hard to go back.

They start with lunch service and keep on going-is teaching next? Beware and keep your eyes open, please. The kids count on us.

Todd Shaw
Toms River, New Jersey

SIGNING Bonuses
On April's Debate about districts offering bonuses to attract new teachers, I say, "Great idea!" Let's draft teachers via a bonus. If they can do it in baseball, why not the teaching leagues? While we're at it, we can trade teachers with other schools and institute a reserve clause to protect tenured educators. The only thing missing would be a lucrative salary and outstanding pension benefits. Ah, to be part of the pro ranks!

Gerald Lunderville
Long Beach, California

I was dismayed that Virginia Hoover thinks new teachers need signing bonuses to buy materials for their classrooms (Debate, April).

Teachers accept that buying things for their classrooms with their own money is part of the teaching life, but this should not be so. Do accountants provide their own pencils and paper? Do telemarketers provide their own telephones? Someone needs to stand up and say, "No more!" If not us, who?

Leslie Lewis
Richmond, Virginia

The reason for the difference in opinion between the two April Debate writers can be summed up in two words: Collective bargaining.

Bob Kaplan in Illinois has it; Virginia Hoover in North Carolina does not. Having lived and taught in both states, I can attest to the difference collective bargaining can make.

Signing bonuses are not a bad thing in and of themselves, but as a solution to the problem of teacher hiring and retention, they are a junior-sized bandaid on a problem that requires major suturing.

My spouse's relocation precipitated my move to North Carolina. A signing bonus tacked on to my $12,000 pay cut wouldn't have made it much more palatable.

North Carolina has the goal of reaching the national average in student test scores and teacher salaries. It's a worthy, if rather sad, aim: to be average. With collective bargaining, one has a tool to reach a great deal higher.

Denise Nelson
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I take offense at Bob Kaplan's contention that new teachers are a "risky investment" who do not deserve signing bonuses. I am a senior special education major who will be a new teacher in 2001.

Am I going to be such a risk because I lack experience? Just because a seasoned teacher has managed to stand the test of time and survive in the system does not mean he or she is earning his or her paycheck. Take a look around the teacher's lounge tomorrow and you'll probably see an example.

Next semester I will pay full tuition so I can work 40 to 60 unpaid hours a week as an intern. I will survive by working another job at night and taking out more student loans.

Let's dispense with the "us vs. them" mentality. By the way, Mr. Kaplan, I am a card-carrying, dues-paying member of Student NEA.

Byron Beasley
Winter Springs, Florida

In the April Debate, Bob Kaplan said it is unfair to give new teachers signing bonuses because they are not even members of the union yet. This is very untrue!

Perhaps Mr. Kaplan is unaware, but each state has its own student affiliate on college campuses. I am vice-president of the University of Evansville chapter of the Indiana Student Education Association. By the time I take my first job in the fall of 2003, I will have been a member of NEA for four years!

We pay dues just like every other member. We work closely with local affiliates in our areas to voice our opinions as pre-service teachers on education issues. We participate in activities in our communities, especially in the schools where we teach.

Stacia Mumfrey
Evansville, Indiana

Leave it at School
It is clear that Millie Brooks (Letters, April) is not yet employed as a teacher. If she were, she would realize that most teachers are well-educated, hard working, and caring individuals who deserve a reasonable salary.

Teachers should not be labeled "money-hungry" for expecting to earn a professional wage. Higher salaries attract a larger pool of qualified candidates.

Also, not even the least competent teacher's day ends "at 2:55." Most teachers have meetings before, during, and after school several times per week. There is lesson planning to do, student work to look over, school functions to attend, committee participation, parent conferences, professional development workshops, and more. Just wait until Ms. Brooks experiences her first weekend report card extravaganza!

Teaching is not a job for lazy folks. People entering the field with slothful notions do not last very long.

Regarding giving out phone numbers to students and parents: I don't believe I should be "on call." That doesn't make me uncaring, it makes me sane.

Susan Fuhr
Goshen, Connecticut

Nice Job
Wow! An article relating to the theatre. It was with great pleasure that I opened the last issue of NEA Today to find information regarding "the Bard" (Problems and Solutions, May). Being a new theatre teacher (as well as a new member of NEA!), it is great to see drama being covered.

The recent push for standards in social studies, math, and English overshadows many electives. So this is to thank you and encourage you to continue your coverage of electives such as drama. Bravo!

Bill Johnson
Portland, Oregon

Early Doom
I was disappointed with "Doomed Before Kindergarten?" (FYI, May). As a speech-language pathologist who also holds birth-to-kindergarten teacher certification, I felt that this article seriously downplayed the importance of high-quality, early childhood experiences.

From the tone of this article, one would assume that as long as someone speaks a few words each day to a toddler or preschooler, there should be no long-term ill effects.

My 15 years of teaching experience indicate that nothing could be further from the truth. Early works and is more cost efficient in the long run.

Thousands of certified teachers are devoting their talents to working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. I have always felt that they were woefully neglected by the NEA. In the future, I hope the NEA will not choose to publish articles that so blatantly disregard the contributions of these dedicated teachers.

Paula Joines
Sparta, North Carolina

Bad Idea
Since this is only my second year of teaching, I anxiously read columns that give advice and share ideas. But I was appalled by one teacher's solution for disruptive students (April).

The fifth grade teacher from Ohio stated that he writes the disruptive student's name on the chalkboard, and if the same student misbehaves again, "the student must write a prepared sentence 50 times per check."

What a fine classroom management system if teachers want students to associate inappropriate behavior with writing!

I believe a call home to the parents is a much more effective solution than a "prepared sentence."

As a high school language arts teacher, I attempt to motivate students with writing assignments. Writing assignments should never be issued as a punishment.

Julie Ollmann
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Notable Notes
As a middle school computer applications teacher, I deal with notes every day. But instead of being passed between desks (My Turn, April), they are sent and received via E-mail. My challenge is to keep students from sneaking on-line during class. The "carrot" I dangle is the promise of free time if our classwork gets done.

I have little control over the content of these messages, but I am happy that my students are so comfortable communicating electronically. It is a skill they will use when they are working adults.

Caroline Fosbenner
Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Wal-mart backer
I am upset that you folks gave Wal-Mart Stores an "F" (News, April). What does the unionization of Wal-Mart have to do with NEA or even education? I don't support most unions! The only labor union I will support is the Hawaii State Teachers and the NEA. For the most part, labor unions are bad for the economy and hurt the competitive spirit of America! George Bush is my man for president!

Anthony Arakaki
Aiea, Hawaii

The challenge of diversity
I agree in principle with the theme of your cover story titled "Beyond Taco Tuesdays" (May). And I agree with President Chase that we must meet the challenge of educating an increasingly diverse student population by teaching tolerance and respect for differences and by working to eliminate racism and discrimination.

However, "celebrating" diversity is a misguided choice of words. Respecting and appreciating diversity, yes. But celebrating diversity, no. Celebrating diversity implies emphasizing and taking pride in our differences. If we start out with that approach, we've already discriminated. Let's celebrate the common bond that makes us all human. Let's celebrate our unity, not our diversity.

Larry Wood
Joplin, Missouri

In your recent issue, which focused on diversity, you made reference in several articles to people "of color." All people are people of color. No one is transparent, we just come in different shades.

Several articles gave statistics on racial backgrounds, but not one article mentioned multiracial or biracial. Instead, the articles continued to lump people into broad categories: Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, white. You did not mention the trend of mixed marriages. Do not multiracial children count?

Let us remember the words of President John F. Kennedy, "Race has no place in American life or law." We need to get beyond racial classifications because they are blurring rapidly. Children do not see race; they see human beings. It is we adults who teach them differently.

Mary Qualler
Elm Grove, Wisconsin