CAT Tracks for December 21, 2012 GRUMPY OLD MEN

That would me be giving a big AMEN to blogger Walt Gardner!

(CAT Tracks Editor's Note: Hope Walt doesn't take offense at my choice for title. In fact, he may be a jolly old soul...may well love kids and puppies. But from his posted picture, well, two out of three ain't bad!)

Without rambling (like yours truly), Walt nails the issue of seniority...

...and why the AFT, the NEA, and the IEA need to stop collaborating with the enemy in giving away a teacher's most important right in a doomed-to-failure public relations battle.

The "reformers" are NOT interested in the education of kids...

...they are interested in saving money on salaries - they want young and cheap teachers; they don't give a damn about quality. (There are good and bad "old" teachers and there are good and bad "new" teachers...at the end of the day, it's a wash!) That money saved from firing experienced teachers and hiring newbies can then be funneled into the reformers' pockets in payment for the latest snake-oil "cure" for the ills of public education.

Hey...

I taught for 39 years for a plethora of unprincipled principals in Cairo School District Number One, so for me there is no doubt. When it comes to "Grumpy Old Men", I'm a purrfect three for three!