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Debra Wilhelm, CTA President
Debra Wilhelm
Here we are, starting a new school year, 2011-12, and what do we have to look forward to? A lot! Because of President Dow, along with your CTA board, parents, and supporters, we no longer have to deal with our previous Superintendent. We have newly elected teacher-friendly school board members that are willing to work with us instead of against us. Thanks to the efforts of the Florida Education Assoc. (FEA), and you, our classrooms will not be overcrowded due to our efforts to maintain the student-teacher ratio for classroom size and there is a lawsuit against Gov. Scott's new 3% tax on the labor force in Florida. We also have a change in the Chief Academic Officer, giving empowerment back to the teachers and principals. However, based on the state of our economy and our current legislature in Tallahassee and Washington D.C., "It aint over yet, folks!" Coming into this new school year, you as teachers will be faced with a new evaluation system mandated by nonother than our own legislators. We, through membership in our local union, CTA, are also members of the FEA, National Education Assoc. (NEA), and American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which is a member of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Your dues entitle you to membership in each of these very powerful organizations and provide capital to these organizations to lobby in Tallahassee and Washington on our behalf. If you are not a member of our local CTA, seek out your school representative and join the fight to change our futures! President Dow was always heard saying, "Get Mad!" Not by making negative remarks but by joining your union or becoming more active within your union. It is a proactive way to channel your anger and help yourself, your colleagues and the students in our public school systems all around our country. We want our candidates to be of the majority, not the minority! Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Do what you feel in your heart to be right. You'll be criticized anyway." I promise to do what I feel in my heart to be right. When criticized, I will listen. Hopefully the ensuing discussion will not be deemed as a win or loss, but more effective, progress. I am proud to be a teacher and I know I make a difference! Please stand with me and continue to support CTA and help others understand, without a unified voice our power is diminished. If you're not already a CTA member add your voice to ours and join in the fight! Vote and encourage everyone you know to vote!
My deepest best regards, |