Nervous Teachers and the Useless UFT

   

Stay tuned for my next virus update!

    First, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Passover and joyous Easter. I had a Seder dinner with Boca Harry last night and just got home. (Who knew Passover could be so great? Harry rubbed some Russian Vodka on the outside door frame so the Coronavirus Angel would pass us over.) Seriously though, this can be a great time to reconnect with what and who’s really important in your life.  This virus has much deeper ramifications, than what’s been playing over and over on TV. If you haven’t done so yet, you need to go to a quiet place and deeply meditate on it. Understanding that path doesn’t mean giving into our worst fears and panicking. (There’s nothing wrong with fear - it’s a gift that protects us and something we should be able to toss aside after it’s given us a warning. I’ve never been afraid of dying, only of living. To truly live, you must be brave.) It was with great empathy that I read yet another article of despair concerning NYC public school teachers. https://nypost.com/2020/04/09/nyc-teachers-fret-about-their-future-amid-coronavirus-chaos/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=pasteboard_app
 
  Teachers are understandably worried about evaluations and tenure at a time when everyone is worried about everything. The DOE has instilled a  paralyzing form of fear as a control mechanism - but has perverted it so that it thwarts independent thought and actions. The UFT through its deafening silence and accommodating philosophy has fertilized our fear with apathy. It wasn’t surprising that, even during the current crisis, nothing has changed - with either organization.  This is a time that the DOE should tell it’s employees, they are doing a wonderful job - going above and beyond what is expected to help the children of New York. It’s a time for the UFT to say stop worrying - keep doing the hard work and you will be rewarded. Since the DOE isn’t doing that, the UFT should be assuaging it’s rank and file’s fear, as well making sure those ridiculous fears don’t materialize. Perhaps the newly popular, (with teachers), Andy Cuomo will do the right thing and cancel formal teacher evaluations this year. I’m not so sure. He hasn’t changed, except for the fact he took decisive action when our clown of a mayor would not, and is now squeezing every drop of free publicity from the virus that he can. Andy’s horns are starting to show - I’m sure it won’t be much longer before you’ll see his tail as well.  Cuomo is not our friend - he hates us. I know that it’s not a nice thing to say, but it’s true and it’s something you would do well to remember - even if he does the right thing now.

  Stay well.