Inside MSEA
Maybe you voted for Donald Trump. Maybe it was a party vote. Perhaps you were tired of the gridlock in Washington and wanted an outsider. Possibly you opposed Hillary Clinton’s trade policies or the way she handled the email server and its aftermath?
Maybe you voted for Hillary Clinton. Maybe you were excited by her history of advocacy for children, civil rights, and public education. Perhaps you were swayed by the prospect of breaking the glass ceiling. Possibly you were repelled by the Trump campaign and its policies on immigrants, minorities, and women?
Since the election — and imminent one-party control of all branches of federal government — we’ve heard from many members who are alarmed about how the next four years will impact educators and their students. Will this signal a roll back of federal school funding, bargaining rights, union protections, access to affordable health care, and retirement security? Will the deeply divisive tone of the campaign — punctuated by sexism and hatred towards minority, immigrant, disabled, and GLBTQ communities — become the new normal? How will all children be affected — especially those who now live with elevated fear of discrimination or deportation?
“MSEA empowers members to make a positive difference in their professional lives in order to elevate the quality of public education for all students.”
The last three words of this mission statement are its core: for all students. Our immediate challenge is making all students feel secure. At the school system and building levels we have an obligation to ensure that diversity — whether of students or political views — is valued, intolerance is not acceptable, and schools will be safe.
How do we make a difference? Get involved. Join an association committee to work on an issue you’re passionate about. Build bridges with community organizations, as an individual or through the association. Volunteer. Find and help local pro-public education candidates who are running in 2018. No matter your party, elected officials always need to hear your voice on education policy and workers’ rights.
However you get involved, MSEA will help empower you in your work. While threats loom larger than they once did, we have many opportunities to make a difference.
