I started teaching in 1978. When I got my teaching position, the first thing I heard was ‘join the union.’ I didn’t even ask what it was—I just joined right away. My mother was what we now call an education support professional, but back in the day, she was a teacher’s assistant. She taught hundreds of children how to read, including her own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One teacher that taught with my mother was a union member, she knew my mother was about to have three daughters become teachers and told my mother to make sure we joined the union. And since my mother said it, it must be right. Sure enough, it was the best thing I could have ever done.
I loved teaching social studies. I really liked getting into different cultures and experiences.
I only ran into trouble once — when I taught about the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month.
I had a parent send a letter to the superintendent and my principal, complaining about how he didn’t want me to teach his son about black people. He wanted me to teach about the white founding fathers. Otherwise, he would take his child out of my class, which he did.
The union stepped in for me because I had to go to court. They secured a lawyer for me, we went to court, and this parent lost his case.
This experience devastated me, and it will be with me for the rest of my life. I will always remember how the union helped me. I knew the union stood behind educators. I just didn’t know the degree to which they would have my back.
I’ve taught in Virginia, Georgia, and Florida and have been involved with the union there because I wanted to know what was happening in my local, and I wanted to support them. I was a building rep for many years in Virginia and Florida, and a local president in Georgia. I’ve always signed up for union-sponsored workshops or conferences. There’s so much support and something for everyone.
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