Between#BetsyDeVos & the panel voting to approve her,#ialegis looking at a 1.1% funding for#iaedfuture, & now the SCOTUS pick, I’m tired.
This was my tweet on January 31.
Today, February 7, my Iowa Senators, Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst, voted for a totally illogical choice for Secretary of Education, someone is no experience in public education, but plenty of experience running down public education.
My state legislature voted to increase funding by 1.1%, the lowest level in 6 years.
And these same people in the Iowa capital are close to trotting out a page out of Scott Walker’s playbook, going after collective bargaining, something that was approved by a Republican governor and has been a positive in our state for the past 40 years.
But I don’t know anything about that.
I’m taking a break from all of this social meda for a while. We talk about giving students a voice in our classroom, where the voice that teachers, parents, and those concerned for the well being of our students get? As a moderate, I feel like my views have zero meaning in a world full of screaming.
I’m not sure my voice matters any more.
And I’m tired.
The Life of a Conflicted Teacher 
February 7, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Darin, I know how you feel. My senators voted against her, and I know that everyone I know who lived in Kansas, North Carolina, Alabama, states where Republican senators had the chance to turn away this ridiculously unqualified and dangerous person, they called too, and it just didn’t outweigh the money DeVos’s family has given in campaign funds. Do TAKE A REST. But don’t give up. YOUR VOICE MATTERS. The voices of all the people who reached Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins mattered. Let us know what we can do to support you in fighting back against efforts to weaken teachers’ collective bargaining.
February 8, 2017 at 8:54 am
Sonia, thank you! It’s been a long 24 hours, but the sun came up, the world didn’t end, and while our job looks to be even harder, the kids need us. I don’t think that my voice does matter, but I appreciate you comments all the same! The helpless/powerless feeling in my stomach just hasn’t gone away, and I’m not sure it ever will. I’ve deactivated my FB account for the time being, but I’ll keep tweeting and writing. That part of things I cannot stop doing! 🙂
February 7, 2017 at 5:17 pm
I think that’s the plan…to make us all feel exhausted. I’m ready to pick one or two things I really care about (education and the environment) and pay attention mostly to them. We didn’t win some of the battles, but we may yet win the war. No shame in a “time out” for as long as you need one. Better to come back refreshed. Don’t go too far away…we’ll miss you.
February 8, 2017 at 8:44 am
I just deactivated my Facebook account because I just couldn’t any and my posts were becoming more and more angry. With a good night’s sleep, there is a perspective, but still, I cannot fathom why we have what we have in front of us. Thank you for the comment! I won’t go too far, I promise! 🙂
February 7, 2017 at 7:03 pm
I can empathize, too. So disheartening to have to keep fighting for what’s right for our students and for public education.
February 8, 2017 at 8:36 am
My dad did this 30 years ago, and it’s crazy to see how things have NOT changed one bit. Teachers are still not respected, but it goes deeper than that. This feels like payback, and that’s not healthy, because one payback becomes another. The cycle doesn’t stop. 😦
February 8, 2017 at 12:51 am
I am so sad for those in American education in the States right now.
February 8, 2017 at 8:35 am
Not much we can do but keep our heads down, and keep in mind we have to do a better job of electing officials who will keep education as priority!