Teacher Shortage in Colorado

[vunderbar]

Originally Posted by apple92680

I have a mixed opinion on teacher's unions. The union is only so good as its local leadership allows it to be, which can vary. I've known people who lived in school districts where the union rep was directly related to school administration (brother-in-law, cousin, etc). That goes on a lot ! And, it's by design, unfortunately. So, while the union is happy to collect a percentage of your paycheck each month, don't expect it to have any teeth when it actively participates with people who have conflicting interests.

All organizations have their drawbacks, unions too. But it's a fact that unions are the sole entity created specifically to protect teachers and their wages. And unless teachers are treated well and paid well, real talent will leave and stay away from this profession, with schools run and taught by those from the bottom of the barrel. I don't want that for my kids. No one should want that for their kids.

In every other western nation, teachers have protections, good salaries and what we would call excellent benefits. Unless we want to have an education system similar to that of the third world, we have to step up with proper funding and better working conditions. Unions will help that happen when districts are unable or unwilling.