her please don’t look at who is pulling my puppet strings (Jeb Bush) letter to
teachers she wrote:
As your Commissioner of Education, our charge as
educators to help them realize those possibilities is no less significant to me
on this day than it was when I served as a teacher, school principal or
Notice no interim
there? Okay fair enough but this next part kind of got me going:
past few weeks as commissioner, I have been inspired by the clear message I
have received from everyone I’ve spoken with - parents and teachers, Governor
Scott and other state officials, superintendents and business leaders: make
Florida's education system the best it can be so that all students succeed in
college, careers and in life.
from everybody? Are you counting all the teachers and parents that have pushed
back against the high stakes testing and privatization agenda that Tallahassee
has been championing?
Are you talking
about the same Governor Scott that promised all teachers a 2,500 dollar raise
an amount that it looks more and more like they aren’t going to get? Or is that
the same governor Scott who cut billions from education and stole 3% of
teachers pay to balance the books of Florida while giving tax breaks to
Are you talking
about the business leaders, like the Chamber of Commerce who have been spreading lies and misinformation about the
Florida Pension fund? Or are you talking about charter school and testing
companies who seek to profit off our children?
I imagine you and
I would not agree on much.
teachers have helped our students achieve in ways that many did not think
possible. We have come too far not to continue our steady improvements in how
we teach and learn.
Well Pam, how
about paying us for all our toil now. Aren’t you a little embarrassed that
Florida ranks at the bottom of the pay scale? And if not why not?
I am grateful
for each of you and the care and talent you contribute to the education of our
students, and for making Florida the best place in the nation to learn, to work
and to live.
Unless you are an
over worked, under paid, scapegoat, err teacher that is.
Mrs. Stewart may
your reign be short.