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Lacking in integrity

Jamie Pelletier
Letters |
Sunday, November 1, 2009

When driving to the Auburn Middle School recently, I noticed that a group of teachers had decided that it would be a proper time to protest their contract problems while in view of students, who had to walk through them to get into the school.

To do that in view of impressionable 12- and 13-year-olds showed an absolute lack of integrity and professionalism. If they want to protest, they should go to Auburn City Hall and stand out front, just as the firefighters did when they had issues. They didn't protest while responding to a house fire.

A teacher I knew when I was younger once told me something that has stayed with me 30 years after: He didn't teach for the money but for the love of teaching and the feeling of accomplishment to know he was making a difference in a young person's life.

I am sure there are still teachers who believe in that statement, but some, like the ones out front of the Middle School, obviously do not.

Jamie Pelletier, Auburn

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

imporcebrorie's picture

I know you Jamie. How dare

By imporcebrorie, unverified — Fri, 11/06/2009 - 10:07

I know you Jamie. How dare you publicly speak out against your friends in this way. You hang out with school teachers. You have helped build life memories with your children with school teachers. If you have questions about their professionalism and integrity, step up to the plate and ask them.

imporcebrorie's picture

I know you Jamie. How dare

By imporcebrorie, unverified — Fri, 11/06/2009 - 10:06

I know you Jamie. How dare you publicly speak out against your friends in this way. You hang out with school teachers. You have helped build life memories with your children with school teachers. If you have questions about their professionalism and integrity, step up to the plate and ask them.

J.Deere's picture

The teachers were

By J.Deere, unverified — Sun, 11/01/2009 - 22:39

The teachers were appropriate in exhibiting their displeasure with their current lack of contract situation. Their message was simple and quiet. There was no politics displayed in the classroom or during school hours. The school day does not begin until 7:30 for students. The teachers did not hold signs past 7:13... They were in their classrooms by 7:15. It is sad teachers have to continually defend themselves.

candiceanne's picture

My father was a teacher for

By candiceanne, unverified — Sun, 11/01/2009 - 21:47

My father was a teacher for over 30 years. He too taught for the love of teaching and he knew he was making a difference in the lives of his students. My father obviously had a wife and children aand a home and he had a second job to pay the bills. He retired in the 80s more in disgust because teaching became a "profession" for the majority of the teachers he worked with who were much younger than he. These teachers came in at the bell, left at the bell, and did only what was absolutely required. They did not take work home or meet with parents after hours. My dad would have been embarassed to have those of his calling picketing in front of students.

Sinbad's picture

Like me, my great aunt was a

By Sinbad, unverified — Sun, 11/01/2009 - 19:57

Like me, my great aunt was a teacher, too, but in Northern Maine. She lived with a local family who provided her room and board for a dollar a week. She was not allowed to marry or see gentlemen on the weekends. She brought the firewood to school, cleaned the classroom and performed all her teacher duties with integrity. She made four dollars a week.
Maybe that's what Mr (Ms?) Pelletier thinks teachers' lives should be like now. But I am married and have a family and a house to support. I love teaching every bit as much as my great aunt did, but the life of a teacher has (thankfully!) changed. The only way we teachers have to express ourselves is by making a public show: we cannot strike, we cannot slow down our work and we will not hurt our students.
Mr. Pelletier, how do you suggest we get your attention otherwise?

mad dad's picture

I think the teachers should

By mad dad, unverified — Sun, 11/01/2009 - 19:01

I think the teachers should keep their pay disputes out of the schools, and out of the school yards. The same thing pertains to their politics.

alex79's picture

Were the teachers being

By alex79, unverified — Sun, 11/01/2009 - 19:00

Were the teachers being unruly? Were they shouting? Were they name calling? Were they carrying signage with offensive language?

Sounds like the teachers were providing a perfect example of using one's First Amendment rights in a civil manner in a public place. A suitable lesson for any child including 12-13 year-olds as well as providing the parents with a teachable moment with their children.

The comparison between this protest and a fire fighter not responding to a call to protest is flawed. The teachers didn't walk out while teaching class to protest. They are not abandoning their jobs to show their dissatisfaction. They are protesting on top of doing a very hard job. A job dealing with students and their problems which have arguably not been getting any easier to work with over the years!

If teachers did it for the money, we simply wouldn't have any teachers at all! I couldn't do it no matter how much money you offered. Few of us could. For what teachers have to do all day every school day, they don't get paid nearly enough. Give them what they want and then give them a big slice of decadent chocolate cheesecake and a huge Thank You.

TomTom's picture

I am appalled and deeply

By TomTom, unverified — Sun, 11/01/2009 - 10:12

I am appalled and deeply saddened that an Auburn taxpayer would have the audacity, without all of the necessary information, to think and verbalize the notion that these teachers do not love teaching and the feeling of accomplishment that they have made a difference in a young person's life. It is necessary to remember the First Amendment, which permits people to express their speech freely. I cannot think of a better civic's lesson than that of seeing the First Amendment in action. Advocating for an individual's rights/cause is how this country was established and continues to thrive. I cannot think of a better time and venue for expressing our opinion than prior to the start of our work day in front of the people that have the option to be a loud voice in the community. I have been teaching several years at the Middle School and cannot think of a more committed and honorable group of educators. We care about each individual that walks through our door and hope that we can make a memorable difference in their lives. It is certainly not about the money, I left the business world to enter this rewarding profession and make a difference in these children's lives. Furthermore, resolving this contract issue is about being treated fairly and respectfully as an employee of the city. Each day I walk through the doors and I am more than proud to be part of this great educational adventure, working with this group of inspiring and talented educators.

carlb's picture

In reading this letter, I

By carlb, unverified — Sun, 11/01/2009 - 11:06

In reading this letter, I was intrigued by the writer's choice of words. Integrity is defined as "the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness." In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a teacher and will continue to one of those in front of the Middle School because I feel that our cause is one which speaks to the true meaning of integrity. I'd prefer not to engage in a discussion of the intricacies of our disagreement with the School Committee, but rather to point out that we are professional educators by choice. We do what we do because we are committed to helping your children become the leaders of tomorrow, ready for careers that don't yet exist. This disagreement is hampering our best efforts. If that's not a strong indicator of integrity, I don't know what is.

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