For years, most
educators--both current and retired--have worked hard and remained silent—or,
at least, relatively silent. Current educators are continuing to work hard (harder
than ever, actually, with this virtual/on-campus-virtual/hybrid environment) but,
finally, these educators--and those of us who are retired--are starting to SPEAK
UP and to TAKE CHARGE!
SAFETY
Just as I sat down to write this blog post, one of my friends, Letty, who is an elementary teacher here in McAllen (TX) sent me this video. It features Indiana high-school physics teacher Amy Foley speaking this month before the school board in her district. She speaks eloquently, but I must warn you it is painful to listen to her words. She voices the truth about today’s teaching and learning environment. She moved me to tears as she passionately told board members, “We love our students; we love our profession!” and when she spoke about the dramatic physical, mental, and emotional toll hybrid learning is having, not only on students, but also on school employees. Foley’s words echo throughout the country. She begs the school board to sit down with teachers and staff to find solutions before the toll that is already devastating becomes irreparable. (I would like to offer one solution right now. Expecting teachers to teach students sitting before them in the classroom while teaching students sitting at home, tuning in from their electronic devices, is ludicrous. This is unfair to teachers and to students because the students sitting right in front of them are still being taught on their computers. Seriously, this is not a viable solution to teaching during this pandemic.)
One week ago, I received a Facebook notification about a press conference: “Anoka-Hennepin educators call on the school district to address unsafe learning conditions in the schools - including poor ventilation and a lack of reporting and contract tracing of COVID cases in the schools.” A parent also spoke at the press conference, as did teachers’ union officials. Their words, too, speak what educators here in South Texas and in cities across the country are saying—"We need help! We will be part of the solution! This is not what is best for our students or for us!”
I urge educators—as always, when I refer to “educators,” I include everyone who works in our public-school system—to TEAM UP, SPEAK UP, INSIST ON SOLUTIONS, and TAKE CHARGE!
HEALTH
This point is more personal and one I struggled with; however, Vivian, my friend who is a high-school teacher in McAllen, insisted I include it. We both decided I could because I have struggled with obesity since sixth grade. (No offense to those who have not, but it just seems harder to hear advice about weight from someone who has never been labeled “obese.”)
I have seen
and heard educators’ fear about returning to school. Much of it is due to the
fear of contracting COVID-19 at school and bringing it home to spouses,
children, and parents or grandparents who live with them. But an untold number
of educators are also worried because of their own health.
I have
spoken to several local health officials and to Dr.
Mario Luis Ramirez, who I have known since he was in high school in McAllen,
and have watched countless interviews about how “underlying conditions” worsen
outcomes for those who contract COVID-19. The local health officials I
interviewed said their number one concern is obesity. and
as we know, obesity can lead to the other underlying conditions that have
proven to be devastating for so many during this pandemic, including diabetes, hypertension,
heart
conditions, and lung
conditions. (I certainly recognize that these conditions are not always caused
by obesity, but I am focusing on how weight can have a significant impact on
other health issues.)
If ever we
have needed to TAKE CHARGE of our own health, it is now. For some, that may
mean making an appointment with a dietician. For others, it may mean joining a
local weight-loss clinic or program. And for others, it may mean making an appointment
with our doctor for help with a weight-loss program. Some may even want to
start a take-charge-of-our-health program on your campus or with a group of
friends.
One thing I
had to finally face over the last two years is that what I eat is even more
important than exercise when it comes to weight loss. For years, I have worked
out—hard—six days a week, but I worked equally hard to pump sugar and other
unhealthy foods into my system. I am a “student,” learning more each day about
the role I need to play in my own health.
Fellow Educators,
I want to assure you that the journey to taking charge of our health—starting with
weight loss—may not be an easy one, but it certainly is a rewarding one if it can
reduce our chances of suffering life-threatening consequences should we
contract COVID-19, improve our overall health, help us save money on
medications we will no longer need, and makes exercise, shopping, and just
living much easier.
VOTING
If you are not familiar with Texans for Public Education (or similar organizations in other states), I urge you to TAKE CHARGE of your voting knowledge by reading their ratings of elected officials in the state, based on the candidates’/incumbents’ affiliations, voting records, and more. They thoroughly research each one and rate them as unfriendly, neutral, or friendly toward public education.
Before I
voted Tuesday, the first day of Early Voting, I visited Ballotpedia and used
their Sample Ballot
Lookup. I typed in my street address and my city and state, and clicked on “View
My Ballot.” Then I chose the November 3 election, and up popped my sample
ballot. What I love about this particular tool is that next to each candidate’s
name, there is an arrow. When I click on that arrow, I get a wealth of
information on that candidate. Although I knew exactly who would receive my
vote in the Texas Legislature and for all federal offices, this tool helped me decide
which Texas Supreme Court candidates align with my values.
In Texas, Early Voting continues through
October 30. The polls are open today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) and are
open next weekend, too.
Wherever
you live, check with your local Elections Office for details on places, dates,
and times.
I know educators across the country
are facing the same critical issues we are facing in Texas—public-school funding,
health insurance, safety, pension security…
TAKE CHARGE—VOTE!
Let’s do
this, Educators! When it comes to
safety, health, and voting, let’s TAKE CHARGE!
