MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Answering Critics
There are at least six teacher organizations active in our state . Five of the organizations are active statewide . One only exists in Memphis , and completely left the union . Educators in Tennessee understood that a multitude of voices help strengthen public education . They were also dissatisfied with the negative , partisan rhetoric driven by an organization controlled by its national organization . The group in Memphis has revealed confidential inside information and justified why they left the union . The days of a monolithic statewide organization are gone forever . We suspect , as membership declines statewide , other large urban districts may well look at withdrawing as well . state , we offer better legal and liability protection , we are better advocates for our members by working with all statewide stakeholders , and we have a state-of- the-art Learning Portal that is the envy of other groups across the nation , with professional learning that enhances competence , confidence and leadership skills , leading to higher achievement for students . And we continue to build our organization as we grow and move forward .
It is true that our leaders and members tend to be younger than other organizations . We understood the old adage long ago : Young teachers aren ’ t going to
Our philosophy is simple . We believe it takes everyone working together to improve Tennessee public schools .
One of the hallmarks of my tenure as Executive Director is that we haven ’ t engaged in the negative banter with the teacher ’ s union . I understand Saul Alinsky and the tactics used , perhaps better than they do - and I reject them . Saul Alinsky ’ s book , “ Rules for Radicals ,” is the guidebook for far-left / communist “ community organizers ,” and contains a dedication to Lucifer in the preface . Alinsky taught his followers many things , perhaps the most famous : “ Pick the target , freeze it , personalize it , and polarize it .” The counter to that strategy is to simply ignore it , rather than giving Alinksy back at them . It also means we take the high road .
We can do countless comparisons between our organization and other organizations to demonstrate why we are the right choice for Tennessee teachers . And we provide a wide variety of information on our website to help you reach that conclusion on your own . We have more benefits than any other group in the participate in any great numbers unless they feel they can affect and alter the direction of the organization . In our organization , they have a voice and we don ’ t hide behind the theory that it is the way things have always been , or that it is how a national organization wants it .
We urge all teachers and education professionals to join an industry organization that reflects their values and priorities . Our philosophy is simple . We believe it takes everyone working together to improve Tennessee public schools . We work with all stakeholders in public education , regardless of political party or platform . We work collaboratively with all sides of any debate to find the best solution . We represent the priorities defined by our members . And we can do that honorably without garnering hatred for our profession or bringing scorn on ourselves .
Executive Director