Opinion
Education Letter to the Editor

Union Letter Produces a ‘Hanging Curveball’

March 20, 2007 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

While forcing myself through Paul J. Phillips’ Feb. 28, 2007, letter to the editor, I nearly fell out of my chair when I got to this unwitting invitation for ridicule, wherein he asks: “Why is it that no one explains why a teacher, forcibly assigned to a school he or she did not want, will suddenly bring fabulous results?” Does anyone else see it—that hanging curveball waiting to be knocked out of the park? Just substitute the word “student” for “teacher.”

I’ll bet Mr. Phillips, the local union president, would like to take that one back. Besides the obvious benefit of choosing one’s school, there is deeper meaning to his statement in that he was oblivious to the double standard. His consideration of students’ needs ranks so far below that of the teachers he represents that they never entered his mind. Or does he actually believe that some people are more equal than others? Doesn’t anyone read Animal Farm anymore?

David Crawmer

North Greenbush, N.Y.

A version of this article appeared in the March 21, 2007 edition of Education Week as Union Letter Produces A ‘Hanging Curveball’

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Professional Development Webinar
Support Your Newest Teachers with Personalized PD & Coaching
Discover steps you can take to strengthen new teacher support and build long-term capacity in your district.
Content provided by BetterLesson
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Classroom Technology Webinar
Smartphones and Social Media: Building Policies for Safe Technology Use in Schools
Smartphones and social media are ever present with today’s students. Join this conversation on navigating the challenges and tailoring policy.
Content provided by Panorama Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Special Education Webinar
Don’t Count Them Out: Dyscalculia Support from PreK-Career
Join Dr. Elliott and Dr. Wall as they empower educators to support students with dyscalculia to envision successful careers and leadership roles.
Content provided by TouchMath

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz Education Week News Quiz: Jan. 23, 2025
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Education Quiz Education Week News Quiz: Jan. 16, 2025
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Image of positive movement when attending to a student's well-being is a component.
Dmitrii_Guzhanin/iStock/Getty and Laura Baker/Education Week
Education Briefly Stated: January 15, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Quiz Education Week News Quiz: Jan. 10, 2025
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
President Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd while walking with his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy, along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House following his inauguration in Washington, Jan. 20, 1977.
President Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd while walking with his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy, along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House following his inauguration in Washington, Jan. 20, 1977.
Suzanne Vlamis/AP