Ohio History

A Voice for Life in Education

Miss Connie Bancroft, Ohio Chapter Executive Director

Teachers Saving Children^® is an organization of pro-life teachers and other concerned citizens committed to establishing a respect for all human life from conception to natural death, especially among professional educators' organizations.

The Teachers Saving Children^® Ohio Chapter, officially organized in February, 1991, grew out of the concern of several Ohio pro-life teachers regarding the pro-abortion position of the National Education Association (NEA) and its affiliate, the Ohio Education Association (OEA). As a result of the growing concern across the nation regarding the pro-abortion position of national teacher unions, the Ohio Chapter Teachers Saving Children^® Board of Trustees passed a resolution on September 17. 1994 to form a Teachers Saving Children^® - National corporation.

NEA Resolution I-15 (formerly I-12 or I-13) was adopted in 1985, amended in 1986, and replaces a similar 1978 resolution. Resolutions represent the philosophy of the organization and thus become policy. Every year the NEA has continued to reaffirmed its pro-abortion position by approving Resolution I-15. It reads as follows:

The NEA is the largest teacher's union in the nation as well as the world's largest democratic deliberative body--larger than the Democratic and Republican national conventions combined. It is also one of the most influential lobbying organizations in the nation's capital on issues that affect the teaching profession. The NEA is also involved in the social agenda, including the abortion issue, and is one of the primary advocates of Planned Parenthood. They co-sponsored the pro-abortion rally in Washington DC in November 1989, in April 1992, and again in April 2004.

At the Ohio Education Association(OEA) Spring RA, held in Columbus April 30-May 1, 1993, there was a discussion on OEA Resolution I-3 which stated that "The Association supports the United States Supreme Court decisions that guarantee reproductive freedom. The Association urges all branches of Federal, state, and local governments to give high priority to complying with these Supreme Court decisions..."

When the Resolutions Committee members were questioned about the definition of "reproductive freedom", it was confirmed that the definition does include abortion. In further questioning, it was stated that OEA would lobby against any legislation that would infringe on the right to reproductive freedom. OEA lobbyists serve as "watchdogs" on legislative issues and are paid through OEA membership dues.

At the Spring, 1994 OEA Representative Assembly, pro-life delegates found that the wording of Resolution I-3 had been slightly changed. It now reads as follows: "The Association supports family planning including the right to reproductive freedom. The Association urges all branches of Federal, state, and local governments to give high priority to making available all methods of family planning to women and men unable to take advantage of private facilities..." Although another attempt was made to delete the language, delegates again voted to retain the language, though by a narrower margin than at previous assembly meetings.

During the 1996 Spring OEA Representative Assembly, the Chair was questioned about OEA's position on abortion. This time the Chair stated, "It has been interpreted by this Representative Assembly, through the Resolutions Commission in the report that you have adopted, that you do not have a position on abortion; you have a position on a woman's right to choose."

In early 1998, pro-life delegates sought through the Resolutions Commission a clear definition on the term "reproductive freedom". However, at the 1998 Spring OEA Representative Assembly, it was reported that although the Resolutions Commission sought help from legal services regarding a definition, no legal definition was found for "reproductive freedom" or for "family planning". Although NEA does have a definition for "reproductive freedom", the OEA Resolutions Commission has chosen not to write a definition for either "reproductive freedom" or "family planning".

Initially, the focus of the organization was to continue the vision - to change NEA's and OEA's position on abortion. Though our primary purpose remains the same, our focus has changed since our incorporation in 1991. Today, Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. of Ohio carries out its commitment to establishing a respect for all human life from conception to natural death

In addition Teachers Saving Children^® also publishes an informative bimonthly newsletter. Members are encouraged to write articles, editorials, and letters to elected officials. The Teachers Saving Children^® Board members are available for speaking engagements and workshops.

The governing body of Ohio Teachers Saving Children^® Chapter affiliation consists of a Board of Trustees with seven voting members and the Executive Director. Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. of Ohio is recognized under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore any memberships and/or contributions received are NOT tax deductible. The same is true of Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. - National.

The need for an organization such as Teachers Saving Children^® is vital in today's society. The impact we will have within the NEA/OEA will be dependent upon the number of people we represent. Even if one does not belong to the NEA or the AFT, remember that these national unions represent the teachers of America. We must join together to let America know that the grassroots teacher loves children - even the unborn. Come and join with us in being a "Voice for Life in Education".