Column 45 for June 25, 2000

Did you know the 1999 National Teacher of the Year was from Georgia? Andy Baumgartner, a kindergarten teacher. He made some interesting comments in the summer issue of "The Update" education magazine, published here in Georgia. First off, he told that of the 66 person state commission on school reform less than 5% were practicing teachers. This is the group that put together the reform package that Governor "lame-duck" Barnes drove into the hearts and minds of our legislators. Mr. Baumgartner seemed puzzled. He wondered, if we wanted to reform medicine, wouldn’t a commission with less than 5% physicians be preposterous?

Mr. Baumgartner continued, "When I used a recognition ceremony in the Georgia State Senate to express my disagreement with the commission’s recommendations…I apparently crossed some line meant to keep teachers in their place." Shortly thereafter, Mr. Baumgartner was "uninvited" to speak to the Georgia House of Representatives! Not only that, but ol’ Lame-Duck Barnes "failed" to show up for a scheduled photo session with Mr. Baumgartner and many other nationally recognized Georgia educators.

What a show of total disrespect and contempt for someone we should all be so proud of! It really shows us where our governor stands on quality education. To me, one of the most important statements made by Mr. Baumgartner was the following: "Trying to scapegoat teachers for disappointing test scores or violence in the schools accomplishes nothing. To the contrary, we need to elevate the profession of teaching by paying teachers professional wages, by providing teachers with profession training, and by treating teachers as experts in their field." (Emphasis mine)

It may be too late to re-train Governor Barnes, yet possibly we can still teach him a lesson or two… The new version of the reform commission is on-line at http://www.gagovernor.org/governor/edreform/. I suggest you might get an early start and begin sharing your opinions with the members of this year’s "elite" commission. Sixty-three members and only 4 are practicing teachers!! Will we never learn?

We have time before the next General Assembly. More importantly we have time before the next elections… Call or write your "current" representatives! (many of whom didn’t get enough input from us to have the spheres to stand up to the governor!) Georgia’s children and teachers are waiting… Please!

Peace! tomiswho@mindspring.com