So I know that most of you aren't teachers, and most of you also aren't in unions. Six years ago when I started teaching, I could have cared less about my union. I joined it because everyone else was in it and it sounded like the right thing to do. When the opportunity was posed to me to be a building rep in Sidney, I begrudgingly said yes because another teacher in our department told me that it was a highly enlightening job. I quit my job up there before I ever got the chance to do it. Then, last year I was asked to cover the job for my building in my new district. And everything that Sara said about the job was true.
I've learned so much gossip from our school district in the last 18 months! And I've also learned a lot more about the system and how it works. And how to get around it. And, most importantly I've learned what our contract says we do and don't have to do. All of the things that I wish I had known as a first, second, even third year teacher. Things I wish I had known in Sidney that would have possibly made me job easier and better. Things that I could have busted my boss for up there.
It's time to start deciding if I want the job for another two year term. HELL YES! I get all the dirt before it's even dirt! And it's just fun to get to go into my bosses office to discuss issues with the excuse that I'm there for the building. It's a very convenient way to voice my own opinions in an anonymous way. Because I don't have to tell him who I'm there on behalf of. And I know what he can and can't get away with. It's given me a lot more confidence in myself and my job.
So here's the question in my mind....am I....Abuse of power? Or using the home court advantage?
3 comments:
I'd have to say you're using "home court advantage", reason being someone should voice your opinions if you weren't the rep anyway. This is just making sure it's done to your liking.
I was just discussing unions recently. What is your take on them? What are your perceived advantages and disadvantages (both parties of my conversation had never been IN a union, yet both of us had to work with unionized folks).
home court...we get shit on enough.
sounds like you have a good union.
i'd say you only cross the abuse of power line if you don't equally represent opinions that don't mirror your own. otherwise, you're voicing a staff opinion, even if it's yours, and that's part of your responsibility as a rep.
I agree with martha- as someone in a union, what's your take?
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