Teachers Revolt (but do it slowly)!!
There are still those who are trying to work within the system to fight the system, that is, speak out politically to change legislation. They are concerned that their actions could result in the loss of jobs for teachers or that, without funding, education can't happen. They want change but they don't want it to hurt, and they don't want to look bad, especially if their efforts fail. They only want revolution if they don't have to give anything up. I admit, it's hard to stand up against a long-standing system, however dysfunctional.
That is where I and others come in. We don't want to mess with politics and bureaucracy. Just like in the old days, when teachers closed their classroom doors and taught well despite political constraints, teachers today are closing the doors to the existing system and reaching out to others like themselves for support and professional development. They are doing it primarily online.
I don't really care to work within the political system to effect change; I am happy to work outside of it, with other educators who just want to help others learn. We don't need to make a statement; we don't need to picket; we don't need to start a campaign. We just need to work with people who need to learn, and we need the freedom to do our work the way we know is right.
So what if little by little, teachers started advertising their services online, like I'm doing through the Wyzant site? And what if they started to collaborate with each other and with parents/families rather than try to live up to unrealistic, non-supportive political mandates made by people who don't care much about learning?
I could see real learning communities growing and real learning happening. No laws or tests would have to be passed. No teacher would feel devalued. It would be a Slow Revolution (see Slow Movement).
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