“How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg?
Four — calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
February, 2007 — Please ponder the quote above. Now, quickly list examples of how that applies to all of us in this school district. If this was not such a serious topic, I would suggest that a timer be set, notepads and pencils be distributed, and a prize be awarded for the longest number of items. Rather, I think we need to ponder the riddle and after the first chuckle or two, we need to let the seriousness of the answer sink into the reality of where we are as teachers in this district.Just because something is called by a particular name doesn’t make it true. The distortion of language and the use of smoke and mirrors cannot fool us, and we will not allow ourselves to be deluded into thinking otherwise. WE know the truth, and the challenge is in how to systematically reveal what we know so as to not lose credibility and, most importantly, not compromise our members.The MTA Task Forces are perfect examples of how we can examine areas of vital concern, thoroughly analyze the results of well-constructed surveys presented to our members, and professionally report the results on a district-wide basis. By the time you read this article our inaugural task force on the loss of instructional time will have distributed the results of their survey to you. The results are mind-boggling in terms of the impact district decisions have had on teachers and students. Clearly, the results of this survey should be used by the district, in collaboration with its teachers, as a catalyst for change.

The Superintendent of Schools, building administrators, and Board of Education members all received copies of the survey results. It is quite apparent that the “calling a tail a leg” must stop!

I must offer a large thank you to our members who have committed to working on the MTA task forces. This is a new and different opportunity for our union’s voice to be heard, and I could not be more proud of who we are and what we represent. I also need to recognize that there could not be a collective voice without the contribution of individual voices. I want to thank all who completed the first survey and urge everyone who receives future surveys to please take the time to share your thoughts and opinions. We know when a tail is a tail and a leg is a leg. Each and every voice matters. In unison our voices will be heard and in unity we will make a difference!

– Sheila