Ep. 138: If We Want Equity, We Have to Put It in Contracts

EQ: To what extent would re-writing seniority clauses in teacher union contracts promote retention of educators of color and better serve our students?

In this episode of IWL, we are joined by Chris Stewart, the Chief Executive Officer of brightbeam, to discuss the recent change in the Minneapolis Teacher Union contracts. Chris was part of the first campaign to protect Black teachers (and other teachers of color) back in the early 2000s when he was on the school board. We discuss what this current provision in the contract means, including implications for other school districts. More importantly, we learn key contextual information behind this provision and how Black educators are fighting for their right to stay and teach the diverse body of students in the Minneapolis school district. 

To learn about Chris’ work check out his website Citizen Stewart and follow him on Twitter @citizenstewart 

Related Links:

• The Black educators that charged "racial harm" on the MFT

• On the black educator who organized within the MFT

• Some of the background on Minneapolis HR issues

• More about the exemptions in the contract

• More about the teacher diversity issue in Minneapolis

• NAACP Rallies for Black Educators

• Black Teachers Call Out Racism Behind Teacher Strike

• NAACP Minneapolis

• Teacher Layoff Exemption Based on Race—But Not the Way You Think

Do Your Fudging Homework:

• Hope/Megan: Follow @citizenstewart for some thought provoking tweets

• Chris:

  • Support the local NAACP chapter fighting for Black educators

  • Write to the union president Greta Callahan and tell her you support the protection for educators of color

  • Find a group of friends to learn more about the situation facing Minneapolis educators of color. Read together, discuss and consider how it relates to your local context.

Ep. 135: Kent Educators on Strike

EQ: Why are Kent Educators on strike?

Guests: 

• Nathan Sun-Kleinberger– Teacher-Librarian/Tech Integration Specialist

• Byron Strang–KSD employee, KEA member & picket captain

This episode was recorded on Sept 4, seven school days into the Kent School District Strike. Nathan and Byron lay out the reasons for the strike, including the union demands (which frankly are quite reasonable). Principal demands “KEA’s principal demands are: increased support for student mental health; reduced class sizes and caseloads for educators working with students receiving special education services; and a competitive salary with neighboring districts.” We discuss why Kent didn’t go on strike in 2018 when so many other districts resorted to withholding their labor. We compare the current strike to the 2009 resistance. Finally, learn how you can support KEA educators.

Related Sources:

• South Seattle Emerald: Elevating various narratives/experiences from educators

• Kent Mom Helping Lead Free Lunch Service

• Proposed Injunction Fails

• Thousands of Southwest WA teachers Strike 2018 State Wide Strikes (Tacoma, etc)

• WEA link to send email to KSD board/superintendent

• TikTok produced by parents about district not feeding students during strike

•  YouTube music video made by Northwood MS staff about the strike: 

• Sun-K’s strike mix 

What Can You Do To Support:

• Please amplify the message of the educators! 

• Email the school board and superintendent!

Ep. 29: Striking While Female

EQ: Is sexism even relevant to the teacher strikes or are women just being over-sensitive once again?

Guest: Megan Holyoke, 1st year teacher

Annie, Megan and Hope break down myths and sexism in the narrative about the Tacoma teacher strike.

Related links:

• “Sexism is at the Heart of Teacher Strikes”

• Women Are Leading The Wave of Strikes in America

• Teachers Are Paid Almost 20% Less Than Other Similar Professionals

• “I feel mentally numb”: more teachers are working part-time jobs to pay the bills

• Think Teachers Aren’t Paid Enough

• Teachers’ Extra Hours Are Different

• Few Women Run the Nation’s School Districts

SPECIAL NOTE: We did a little fact finding and want to be clear about some numbers regarding leadership gender dynamics.

• According to Chalkbeat, “While women made up 73 percent of classroom teachers in Pennsylvania, the study showed they accounted for just 44 percent of school principals and 35 percent of superintendents.”

• According to AASA “the vast majority of superintendents (87 percent) are male.”

• According to Huffpost, “More than three-quarters of public school teachers are female while only 30% of educational administrators are.”