Question for teachers, regarding strike

[mumom95]

My youngest started 1st grade last year, so I started substitute teaching a bit in the district we live in. I just found out the teachers in the district right next to us may strike.

Now, let me start by saying I used to be a high school math teacher, and I fully support a teachers right to strike.

Here's my question. How do teachers view the substitutes that fill in for them while they are striking? I know in other professions, the people that fill in during a strike are not very well liked, but I didn't know if it was the same in education.

I don't currently substitute for this district, but I am friends with one of the principals, and they have approached me about possibly filling in for a math teacher if they do strike. I would consider it, but I don't want to do anything that would be against the wishes of the teachers.

So, I'm wondering what teachers think about this situation.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm sure it won't make you any friends.

I don't know what I would do if I were in a district were the teachers decided to strike. Quite frankly, it is unethical. You truly are hurting the kids over stupid office politics. I like the idea of just working to the letter of the contract better. In other words, don't take work home, come in and leave at your required start and end times, etc. It makes the same point, but without hurting the kids.

Bottom line, I doubt any profession, teaching included, looks kindly on "scabs" as they are often referred to. Are you going to ever see these people again? How will the teachers in your own district perceive you? Ethically how do you feel? I would want to do it so that the kids have a teacher, that to me is the ethical repsonsbility. Others would feel an ethical responbility to the teachers and not want to cross the line. Think about what you would want if the roles were reversed. I hope this helps.

 

[allison443]

I like the idea of just working to the letter of the contract better. In other words, don't take work home, come in and leave at your required start and end times, etc. It makes the same point, but without hurting the kids.

Actually a few years ago a nearby district did what you described. Part of their strategy was refusing to write letters of recommendation for kids applying to college. So that actually did hurt the kids. (Of course that was only in high school)

 

[mumom95]

I'm sure it won't make you any friends.

I don't know what I would do if I were in a district were the teachers decided to strike. Quite frankly, it is unethical. You truly are hurting the kids over stupid office politics. I like the idea of just working to the letter of the contract better. In other words, don't take work home, come in and leave at your required start and end times, etc. It makes the same point, but without hurting the kids.

Bottom line, I doubt any profession, teaching included, looks kindly on "scabs" as they are often referred to. Are you going to ever see these people again? How will the teachers in your own district perceive you? Ethically how do you feel? I would want to do it so that the kids have a teacher, that to me is the ethical repsonsbility. Others would feel an ethical responbility to the teachers and not want to cross the line. Think about what you would want if the roles were reversed. I hope this helps.

Thanks, it has given me something to think about.

 

[Took]

I'm sure it won't make you any friends.

I don't know what I would do if I were in a district were the teachers decided to strike. Quite frankly, it is unethical. You truly are hurting the kids over stupid office politics. I like the idea of just working to the letter of the contract better. In other words, don't take work home, come in and leave at your required start and end times, etc. It makes the same point, but without hurting the kids.

Bottom line, I doubt any profession, teaching included, looks kindly on "scabs" as they are often referred to. Are you going to ever see these people again? How will the teachers in your own district perceive you? Ethically how do you feel? I would want to do it so that the kids have a teacher, that to me is the ethical repsonsbility. Others would feel an ethical responbility to the teachers atd not want to cross the line. Think about what you would want if the roles were reversed. I hope this helps.

It is not unethical to strike but only as a last resort. Sadly, many admins deliberately play the game of "the teachers care too much to strike so we'll push 'em" and make this sad situation come about. What's really unethical is that some people want teachers to work for less-than-their-worth wages and benefits. We are quite happy to pay football players millions, but we get mad if teachers ask to be paid what they're worth in terms of experience and education. If taxpayers care about the children's education, they will insist that the district settle the issues before a strike happens.


To the OP, I personally would not teach during a strike. Go ahead, support the teachers. If there are no subs, then the strike (in theory) will get settled much quicker.

 

[mumom95]

It is not unethical to strike but only as a last resort. Sadly, many admins deliberately play the game of "the teachers care too much to strike so we'll push 'em" and make this sad situation come about. What's really unethical is that some people want teachers to work for less-than-their-worth wages and benefits. We are quite happy to pay football players millions, but we get mad if teachers ask to be paid what they're worth in terms of experience and education. If taxpayers care about the children's education, they will insist that the district settle the issues before a strike happens.


To the OP, I personally would not teach during a strike. Go ahead, support the teachers. If there are no subs, then the strike (in theory) will get settled much quicker.

Thanks for the input.

 

[mumom95]

bump, for the teachers that will be online this evening.