Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 5, Number 4
April 1995
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On Monday, February 20, 1995, four conservative teachers - Juanita Sattler, David Kaiser, Gary Winney, and I - had the opportunity to spend over two hours of productive roundtable discussion with the Ohio Education Association President Mike Billirakis. Joining us in this meeting was OEA Vice-President Gary Allen.
Using NEA and OEA documentation, we raised tough questions in four main areas: the abortion issue; EPAC; Life Issues Caucus; and the OEA's agenda against the "Radical Right." Although we left with issues still unresolved and in disagreement with OEA policies and positions, much information was gained, and we felt that there had developed for the first time a new respect for each side. An open door had been created. In addition, a new understanding of OEA operations would, hopefully, lead to future opportunities for discussion.
The results of this productive meeting will be seen and felt in the months and years ahead if we as conservative pro-life teachers learn from it and respond to it. Therefore, the challenge: The leadership has stated that the NEA/OEA is membership driven. If this is true, then where have we been in letting our leadership and delegates know where we stand on issues? Where have we been in getting more involved? Over the past 20+ years, many of us have continued to teach because our first commitment is to the children, but in the meantime the NEA/OEA has continued its movement farther and farther away from its membership. There have been conservative individuals who have tried to make change, but were intimidated, shot down, and have quit.
No one person can do it all, but if each one of us would do our part, then change can occur. We must persevere. We in Ohio have not quit in four years, and little by little progress is being made.
What can one person do? Since the NEA/OEA is "membership driven," it does want to hear from its membership. We must be willing to speak and/or write to our leadership - nationally, at the state level, and locally. We must be objective, yet firm, in our concerns over the issues. We must be willing to get involved as time permits. We must become informed and vote for delegates who agree with our positions. We must become proactive and take a stand.
TSC plans to take advantage of all opportunities to achieve its goal while proceeding in an ethical manner. Remember, progress and success take time. Please help by getting involved in whatever way possible.
In the fall(1994), delegates filed petition with the OEA Constitution & Bylaws Committee to place the following amendment before the delegate body this spring:
For more information on participating with Life Issues Caucus, please contact Gary Winney at 216-944-4409.
Did you know that the Ohio Department of Education has begun the process of revising the model curriculum (Course of Study) in the area of Comprehensive Health Education? Did you know that as this revision goes through various draft stages that it is possible to receive copies for review and comment? Do you have questions regarding this revision and/or need the latest information on other issues of education reform here in Ohio? To receive the most current update, call Roundtable of Ohio at 1-800-522-VOTE.
The article begins by referring to the first cover story of June 7, 1993: "NATIONAL EXTORTION ASSOCIATION? The National Education Association didn't like FORBES' nickname for it in our June 7, 1993 cover story. But we were just being objective..."
If you haven't yet read either one of these articles, please stop by your nearest public library. It is well worth the reading.
Annual dues are $25.00. A reduced rate of $10.00 is available for college students who are presently enrolled in a college or university undergraduate degree program and to retired educators who are currently receiving retired benefits. Contributions and membership are NOT tax deductible.
Please be advised that according to the TSC Constitution & Bylaws, the membership year is from September 1 - August 31. Our membership drive for the 1995-96 membership year will begin June 1st. Renewal membership information will be sent to all current members in early July.
There has been a recent change in the leadership of this organization. Please contact Edward Weber, 1417 Henning Drive, Lyndhurst OH 44124 (216-449-5372) for current information regarding involvement at the NEA-RA this summer.
If you have a delegate(s) from your local attending the NEA convention, contact should be very easy. However, many locals do not or can not send delegates to the NEA, either because of the financial burden or because of their small membership size. Someone will be representing you. Check with your local president as to who will be representing you - either as an at-large state delegate(s) or possibly a clustered local delegate. Local presidents should know who your delegate representative will be by the 1st part of May. If they don't know - ask them to find out by contacting your state affiliate NEA office.
Get involved by contacting your NEA delegates! They are your representatives!
From the letter: "While on policy resolutions concerning abortion per se have been adopted, delegates to AFT's 1981 convention did approve the attached resolution, 'Women's Right to Choice' in response to the proposed Hyde Amendment in Congress."
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