By Rosita Chatonda
Dear Teachers,
First of all thank everyone who has been reading my post about the serious education issues that plague our school system here in Chicago. Since Chicago is the model for school reform initiative nationwide, we must organize to stop the mistreatment of minorities here so that it can have far reaching implications nation-wide. For the last 4 years I have been working diligently to bring issues regarding the Displacement of veteran and minority teachers as well as the disparity in student expulsions. As I have written, the injustice for minority teachers also plague minority students as well . One troubling statistic is that 23%% of the CPS's student population are African American boys but they receive 76% of the student expulsions.
Today we have good news to report regarding a CPS initiative designed to return veteran teachers who were displaced to work. These teachers fortunately escaped the smear campaign sponsored by CPS under the Huber man administration. As the CTU would say, These teachers were displaced through no fault of there own" This is a victory for the thousands of teachers that fall in this category . Many of whom I've had the pleasure of working very closely with over the pas several years. I have partied with them prayed with them cried with them and finally, I can celebrate this victory with them.
Thanks to Reverend Jesse Jackson who was such and instrumental part of this initiative. 4 years ago another teacher first name Terri (last name omitted) began to educate our pastors, Reverend Jackson, Jonathan Jackson ( Who labored with us and attended and sponsored so many initiatives to bring this issue to the limelight) and others. or me it's been a spiritual journey to save our school communities and have REAL unadulterated school voice in Chicago that will resonate throughout the country. My organization C.A.U.S.E. was formed to DEMAND that the CPS and the CTU respect our school communities and hear our voice.
Today we celebrate this accomplishment as a CAUSE victory. However, we have accomplished 25% of our mission and we still have work to do regarding teachers who are displaced and not in this category. These teachers were charged and E-3rd (given unsatisfactory ratings) CAUSE is standing with these teachers because African American teachers receive over 70% of the E-3's and charges. The Chicago Teachers Union has abandoned these members and distanced themselves from these teachers many who were targeted for union and political activities. Many had been superior teachers for 30 years but because of years of service leading to high salaries, found themselves targets of the administration.
We also must demand that effective initiatives are put in place to assist our boys who have been expelled. We MUST restore their rights and get them the help that they need to overcome the obstacles that they face.
To all who are following this story via Facebook, my blog, and by watching the monthly Board of Education meeting where I speak every other month, keep us in your prayers as we go forth in our attempt to restore justice to our school system.
To those that read my post, thank you and God Bless.
In Solidarity With My Community,
Rosita Chatonda Founding President of C.A.U.S.E.
Chicago Alliance of Urban School Educators
Sub-Committee Displaced Teacher Chair SS NAACP
First of all thank everyone who has been reading my post about the serious education issues that plague our school system here in Chicago. Since Chicago is the model for school reform initiative nationwide, we must organize to stop the mistreatment of minorities here so that it can have far reaching implications nation-wide. For the last 4 years I have been working diligently to bring issues regarding the Displacement of veteran and minority teachers as well as the disparity in student expulsions. As I have written, the injustice for minority teachers also plague minority students as well . One troubling statistic is that 23%% of the CPS's student population are African American boys but they receive 76% of the student expulsions.
Today we have good news to report regarding a CPS initiative designed to return veteran teachers who were displaced to work. These teachers fortunately escaped the smear campaign sponsored by CPS under the Huber man administration. As the CTU would say, These teachers were displaced through no fault of there own" This is a victory for the thousands of teachers that fall in this category . Many of whom I've had the pleasure of working very closely with over the pas several years. I have partied with them prayed with them cried with them and finally, I can celebrate this victory with them.
Thanks to Reverend Jesse Jackson who was such and instrumental part of this initiative. 4 years ago another teacher first name Terri (last name omitted) began to educate our pastors, Reverend Jackson, Jonathan Jackson ( Who labored with us and attended and sponsored so many initiatives to bring this issue to the limelight) and others. or me it's been a spiritual journey to save our school communities and have REAL unadulterated school voice in Chicago that will resonate throughout the country. My organization C.A.U.S.E. was formed to DEMAND that the CPS and the CTU respect our school communities and hear our voice.
Today we celebrate this accomplishment as a CAUSE victory. However, we have accomplished 25% of our mission and we still have work to do regarding teachers who are displaced and not in this category. These teachers were charged and E-3rd (given unsatisfactory ratings) CAUSE is standing with these teachers because African American teachers receive over 70% of the E-3's and charges. The Chicago Teachers Union has abandoned these members and distanced themselves from these teachers many who were targeted for union and political activities. Many had been superior teachers for 30 years but because of years of service leading to high salaries, found themselves targets of the administration.
We also must demand that effective initiatives are put in place to assist our boys who have been expelled. We MUST restore their rights and get them the help that they need to overcome the obstacles that they face.
To all who are following this story via Facebook, my blog, and by watching the monthly Board of Education meeting where I speak every other month, keep us in your prayers as we go forth in our attempt to restore justice to our school system.
To those that read my post, thank you and God Bless.
In Solidarity With My Community,
Rosita Chatonda Founding President of C.A.U.S.E.
Chicago Alliance of Urban School Educators
Sub-Committee Displaced Teacher Chair SS NAACP
