By Tony Crawford, Teacher Canby, Oregon
OpEdNews.Com
Imagine my surprise. I was called a terrorist this past week by
Education Secretary Rod Paige. I found myself surprised, angered,
outraged, confused, and eventually deeply saddened. Periodically I
am reminded not to take what I hear in the news personally, however, this
time it is too difficult to do so.
Let me recap. Last week Secretary Paige referred to the National
Education Association as a "terrorist group." Paige made
this comment as he was discussing education policy with our nation's
governors at a meeting in Washington DC. He has since apologized,
saying that he intended the comment as a joke. Wow. What a
joke! Is anyone actually laughing?
My son, Douglas, currently serving in the US Army, is following the orders
of President Bush to win the war on terrorism and to eliminate the world
of terrorists. I find it a cruel irony that now, according to the
president's cabinet member, I am one of the terrorists. Talk about
pitting father against son. Not funny.
Two key points must be made to get to the truth imbedded in this
matter. First, there is no distinction between the NEA and its
members. The teachers of Canby, Oregon, are proud members of the
Canby Education Association, the Oregon Education Association, and the
National Education Association. Each of these professional
organizations are member driven. The members of the Association
establish the policies and make the decisions that guide the actions of
the Association. As members of the Association we elect leaders to
serve as our spokespersons. These leaders are teachers, and
other educators, such as myself.
Secretary Paige's comment directed at the NEA is a comment directed at me
and all of the other dedicated, self giving educators who make up our
membership. Yes, these same people who are often times credited as
being the glue of our community, are now accused of being
terrorists. Go figure.
The second point has to do with
NEA's assertion that the Bush Administration has underfunded the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, otherwise known as No Child Left
Behind. ESEA includes numerous mandates from the federal government
without the funding needed to implement the mandates. The
expectation is that state and local school districts will redirect their
own local funds to pay for these new federal mandates. NEA members
have led the effort to seek changes to improve ESEA and to fully fund
these federal mandates. Our effort to hold the federal government
accountable for this program has apparently resulted in hard feelings by
Secretary Paige.
The citizens of Canby, Oregon, know me and know my reputation as a teacher for the past 24 years and as a leader of the peace project at Ackerman Middle School. I'll let you decide. Am I a terrorist?
Tony Crawford is a veteran seventh grade geography teacher at Ackerman Middle School in Canby, Oregon. Crawford currently serves on the Oregon Education Association's Board of Directors and the National Education Association's Resolutions Committee. Tony Crawford is considered a model teacher by the school district he serves, fellow colleagues, students, and parents. For more information visit Crawford's classroom webpage at http://www.ackerman.canby.k12.or.us/Staff/crawfordt/index.html or contact him at tonyincanby@hotmail.com
