Ohioans have the chance to come together on Election Day
For more than 20 years, I have been teaching chemistry and promoting science education to a generation of young minds. I did not come into the world of public education expecting to get rich. In fact, I left a lucrative scientific research job in the private sector industry to enter the teaching profession.
I wanted the opportunity to teach students who could be the next Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein or Louis Pasteur. I wanted to make a difference and contribute to my community. I wanted to be a teacher.
During the last several years, Pickerington, like many Ohio communities—has struggled to secure funding in our own growing area. We have retained our optimism and dedication, despite the unwillingness of some to support the same kind of quality public education and services they received when they were younger.
Now some elected officials are carrying out a systematic attack against teachers—like me—who only want what’s best for their students.
It’s sad and it’s a tragedy, but it is not a coincidence that Issue 2 silences the voices of teachers and other educators. Politicians don’t want to hear us advocating for our students or for good schools that include smaller class sizes, up-to-date textbooks, well-equipped libraries and modern technology. These politicians want to be free to make up their own rules, while ignoring the advice of the people who work in schools and classrooms everyday. As teachers, we know what students need to succeed in school and in life.
Ohioans have the chance to come together on Election Day. Voting NO on Issue 2, we’ll send a clear message to self-serving politicians who don’t have the best interest of our students in mind.
—Carla Fultz, science teacher, Pickerington
Collective bargaining is democracy for educators!
Debate is good—it often yields innovation. Debate is the cornerstone of an educated modern society. Collective bargaining is just that—a debate. Collective bargaining allows educators to have a discussion about what we need to help ensure that our students are prepared to succeed.
And what happens in a debate? Both sides come to a table, sit down and present their arguments. In the end, each side gets a little of what they want, neither side controls the procedure, but both sides get a voice in the outcome. That is truly what happens in collective bargaining.
Unions don’t come to the table and receive all that they want. Countless hours are spent debating the merits of a particular contract provision. In the end, BOTH sides agree to terms. But the process doesn’t stop there either. Contracts are then voted on by BOTH sides. Sometimes these contracts go in front of mayors, city councils and school boards for approval. Collectively, we get a chance to voice our opinions in the process.
I’m entering my ninth year of teaching. Technical education is considered a “special subject,” so my program falls outside the provisions of our local union contract—meaning it could be cut at any time. Even though I’m not directly impacted by collective bargaining, I know it’s wrong to strip the collective bargaining rights of teachers and other educators.
Collective bargaining is democracy for the workers. Taking away that right is wrong. It’s the reason Issue 2 is unfair, and why I’m voting against it.
—Jeff Rhodes, technical education teacher, North Royalton
Unsafe for Special Needs Students
My whole life has been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those with developmental, emotional and/or physical challenges. For 25 years, I have taught students who not only have been diagnosed as having a learning disability, but who also have major medical needs. Larger class sizes and cut backs on supplemental services have negative consequences for students with special needs.
As a special education teacher, parents not only trust me to educate their child; they also want me to make sure their child is safe. It’s a huge responsibility, which is why I’m glad I don’t have to do it alone-I’m part of a team of teachers and education support professionals, like teacher’s aides, school nurses and other employees. We’re a family that is working together to do what’s best for special needs students.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, my school district laid off staff. These cuts have hurt my students because some of the educational aides lost their jobs. I depend heavily on my aides to help me maintain a safe learning environment for my students.
My colleagues and I have been asked to make significant sacrifices, yet Columbus politicians have handed out millions of dollars in tax breaks to their corporate campaign contributors. Slashing funding to schools, especially special education programs, resulting in less staff to take care of our most vulnerable students, is not just wrong—it could result in unsafe conditions.
Issue 2 will hurt our students, not only their education, but their safety too. For me, that’s just too much to risk, which is why I am voting NO on Issue 2.
—Gretchen Washington, special education teacher, Springdale
Shared Responsibility and Fairness
Teachers have enormous responsibilities for making sure that our students get the best possible education—that’s what our jobs are all about. We must work hard to understand and motivate every single student—not just the ones most likely to succeed.
Public schools accept every child—regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, ability or disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation. We don’t cherry pick students or give proficiency tests for admission. Our doors are open to all. And as educators, we are committed to the success of every student.
Educators step up to do their part by providing the stable, nurturing, inspiring environment that makes it possible to reach each student individually. We are dedicated to our students, but we know student success is a shared responsibility.
If we are serious about preparing all young people—from pre-K to high school to college and beyond—then we all need to work together to make the right choices to ensure that our schools have the tools and resources necessary to opportunities they need to succeed.
Some Columbus politicians, however, think they’re excused from making tough decisions and the kinds of sacrifices we’ve all had to make as a result of the economy. Many of our elected leaders have made up their own set of rules and used loopholes to exempt themselves. Simply put, the rules don’t apply to them. That’s not fair to my students, their families or mine—and that’s why I am voting NO on Issue 2 to repeal Senate Bill 5.
—Courtney Johnson, high school English and language arts teacher, Ironton
Portrait of a Lunch Lady
My name is Tina Adams, and I am the lunch lady. Every school day for the past 27 years, I have cooked healthy meals and nutritious treats to feed hundreds of hungry kids. For many of my students, the food I serve may be the only meals they receive all day. I keep my students’ bellies full, so teachers can feed their minds.
Working in the school cafeteria, I recognize if my kids aren’t learning because they’re hungry. If my students aren’t eating their vegetables, I know it. I also keep a watchful eye on students who suffer from diabetes or have dietary restrictions. From the time the bell rings in the morning, to when school lets out, I’m their mom.
Not only do I serve as head cook at Prospect Elementary School in Mansfield, I’m also a mother of five children.
We need to rebuild the American Dream and Ohio’s middle class, but Issue 2 works to dismantle it. Issue 2 is unfair, unsafe and hurts my students and working families like mine, that are just trying to make ends meet.
If Issue 2 passes, I won’t be able to help my students get what they need to succeed—and that’s just wrong. That’s why on November 8, I’m serving up a big helping of NO on Issue 2.
—Tina Adams, food service worker, Mansfield, Ohio
Students Lose with SB 5
My name is Sophia Rodriguez, and I am the American dream.
The daughter of a migrant worker, my parents came to Mercer County in the ‘50s so they could build a better life for me and my three siblings. I vividly remember that day my mother received her GED—I was in the eighth grade and my father, who didn’t have the opportunity to finish school, reminded us that education was the key to a better future.
Now I’m a classroom teacher. For more than two decades I have dedicated my life to education, and to creating opportunities for my students so they can help strengthen their own families and communities.
But I can’t do it alone.
Every year I return to the classroom, I see the changes. There’s no funding for field trips or money to buy new books. We’ve scaled back on staff and services. Students are clamoring to compete in a global society, but we can’t improve out-of-date technology or replace antiquated computers. For my students, the American dream is becoming more and more out-of-reach. And that’s simply not fair.
That’s why in November, I’m urging my friends, family and neighbors to vote NO on Issue 2. We cannot afford to let our kids fall through the cracks. The American Dream should belong to them, too.
—Sophia Rodriguez, high school Spanish teacher, Coldwater, Ohio