An amazing thing is happening in Oklahoma. Teachers in the Oklahoma City school district are resigning their membership of the American Teachers Union to protest the union’s protection of unqualified teachers. Four teachers have left the local union thus far, with a dozen more openly discussing breaking free.
The Oklahoman has the story:
“I had issues with the AFT using money to protect teachers that shouldn’t be teaching,” teacher Denise Caton said.
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[T]he reason I did it was to send a message … to the AFT that we are passionate about teaching and we want our kids to have good teachers,” she said.
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Caton said she’d like to see earlier union involvement — proof that the union looks to help teachers improve instead of to help teachers simply keep their jobs.
In an attempt to stem the bleeding, the union is working on a course similar to the Toledo Plan, which would team up veteran educators with struggling teachers in a mentoring program.
OKC teachers, we salute you for putting students, schools, and taxpayers first, and holding your union accountable.
