on May 14, 2018

Sticky

True Teacher Appreciation: Restoring educators’ voice and choice

Teachers were celebrated last week during National Teacher Appreciation Week. But even though the five days of nationally honoring educators has come and gone, teachers can and should continue to be recognized and supported outside the second week of May. In order to acknowledge what they really need—and deserve—we need to listen to their voices and restore respect for their choices. A new project called Educated Teachers MN will equip teachers with resources and knowledge to help them better understand issues they have asked for more voice on—from student behavior and paperwork to union membership and pension plans. It will...

0 Comments

on May 12, 2018

Sticky

Educated Teachers Project Launches Statewide Information Campaign

Written by Tom Steward

in Education

A new project launched on National Teacher Appreciation Day, Educated Teachers MN aims to inform and empower Minnesota K-12 educators by raising awareness of a U.S. Supreme Court case widely expected to end the forced payment of union dues and fees by teachers and other government employees as a condition of employment. In 2016-2017 Education Minnesota collected over $50 million in dues and fees from 75,000 teachers statewide that were used for collective bargaining, lobbying and advancing the union’s political agenda. But Education Minnesota, AFSCME-5 and other statewide public employee unions are already bracing for the potential loss of thousands of members...

0 Comments

on May 10, 2018

Sticky

Inside the Hornets’ Nest: Edina’s 5-hour school board meeting over the word “frightening”

Written by Catrin Wigfall

in Education

The hornets’ nest was stirred up again Tuesday evening when the Edina School Board met to discuss possible disciplinary action against its Vice Chair Sarah Patzloff over a social media post. Around 150 parents and community members—from kids to grandparents—gathered in the hallway of the Edina Community Center to show overwhelming support for Sarah who has served on the school board for six years....

0 Comments

on May 10, 2018

Sticky

Letter to GOP Leadership: No Pre-K Expansion; Preserving the K-12 Mission

Written by Kim Crockett

in Culture, Education

Dayton is campaigning hard for $138 million “emergency” school funding but he might just settle for more pre-K funding instead. The governor has, in the past, successfully expanded pre-K programs in exchange for getting GOP K-12 education or other priorities passed. We understand that, like children who do not get their way, Gov. Dayton holds his breath until he turns blue, but for the sake of our small children, and the K-12 mission, please deny him this final victory. ...

0 Comments

on May 08, 2018

Sticky

Teacher Appreciation Day: Fun Facts on Average Salaries

Written by Kim Crockett

in Education, Unions

Minnesota secondary teachers have an average wage of $62,590 plus benefits. Don’t forget that salary is just one part of the equation. You need to add in the cost of providing retirement savings like 403(b), pensions, or both--and then health care. ...

0 Comments

on May 08, 2018

Sticky

National Teacher Appreciation Day: Thank you, teachers!

Written by Catrin Wigfall

in Education

National Teacher Appreciation Week kicked off yesterday, but the biggest day for educators is today, May 8, as National Teacher Appreciation Day. On this day, students, parents, and communities around the country get to celebrate teachers and honor all they do. And while showing our appreciation shouldn’t be limited to this week and day, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how teachers and staff go above to help students go beyond. ...

0 Comments

on May 04, 2018

Sticky

Memo to Legislature: Resist Dayton’s Push for Expansion of “Free” Pre-K

Written by Kim Crockett

in Culture, Education

The Dayton administration continues its relentless demand for Minnesota to adopt universal Pre-K for all four-year-old’s. There is no danger the legislature will pass universal pre-K this session but GOP leaders might be tempted, as they have in past negotiations, to expand existing programs, adding a few more million here and a few more million there, just to get their K-12 education priorities passed....

0 Comments

on May 03, 2018

Sticky

A message to high school seniors: College is one choice, but it isn’t the only choice

Written by Catrin Wigfall

in Education

For many high school seniors, graduation is less than a month away. There are a lot of emotions that come with this realization: Shock. Panic. Surprise. Excitement. Accompanying such anticipatory angst is the often-dreaded question, “What’s next?” For some, a college education is the next logical step after high school. But it may not be the appropriate path for all students. Nor is it the only way to succeed. ...

0 Comments

on May 01, 2018

Sticky

Teacher workplace democracy is a principle but not a practice

Written by Catrin Wigfall

in Education

Workplace democracy is, unfortunately, a short-lived promise to teachers in Minnesota. While teachers’ unions often claim to favor a democratic approach to our public education system, teachers are rendered mute when it comes to choosing their own union. Workplace democracy is a principle, not a practice. ...

0 Comments

on April 30, 2018

Sticky

What Middle School Students Need to Know about Great Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree

Written by Mitch Pearlstein

in Education

Knowing of American Experiment’s project, “Great Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree,” a producer at Minnesota Public Radio recently sent us the printed version of a very good story written by Ashley Gross and Jon Marcus for National Public Radio titled “High-Paying Trade Jobs Sit Empty, While High School Grads Line Up for University.” The two reporters write: In contrast to men and women with four-year degrees, “People with career and technical educations are . . . significantly more likely to be working in their fields of study.” ...

Latest Posts