Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers shares insights on the current state of education
Pay attention, the teacher speaks
So why is Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, always making the headlines?
“I come from a middle-class background. My grandparents fled communism and totalitarianism in Eastern Europe. My mother was a teacher and my father an engineer. I got involved in advocating for education, security, freedom, and other rights that Americans deserve.”
Can you explain schools? How about Harvard?
“I am a patriot and believe that hate is unacceptable. Criticizing the Jewish state is not the same as criticizing the Jewish people. Our country faces issues like antisemitism, Arab hate, and racism. We should support the rights of both Palestinians and Jews to have land and rights. College presidents often avoid stating their values and instead act out of fear.”
She also discussed the decline in teaching cursive writing skills in schools:
“Big tech companies do not see the value in teaching cursive writing as everything is now on smartphones. We need to focus more on the basics, especially for immigrant children. Too much emphasis on test scores and data can hinder actual improvement and student growth.”
Her next step involves taking on the responsibility as a full-time professor at Cornell University. She will be teaching courses on labor, education, change, and problem-solving.
Acknowledgements
The upcoming Oscars have lined up presenters such as Nicolas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Lange, Matthew McConaughey, Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zendaya.
Congratulations to all!
Current Affairs
Referring back to Hitler’s era, Sinclair Lewis’ book “It Can’t Happen Here” warned about the rise of a fascist dictator who manipulated the masses and disregarded democratic norms. The current political landscape shows the danger of an ineffectual Congress relying too heavily on executive power.
Food for thought.
The enduring legacy
Taylor Swift’s upcoming song about Clara Bow reminded me of Edward Epstein’s book “The ‘It’ Girl: The Incredible Story of Clara Bow.” In his latest book, “Frank & Marilyn,” Epstein explores the connections between Marilyn Monroe and Clara Bow, both iconic stars who struggled with mental health issues.
Randi Weingarten once famously referred to education officials as “a - - holes.”
Perhaps only in New York, who really knows?
