http://www.scriptedspontaneity.com/2009/12/what-is-the-role-of-professional-organizations-in-the-pln-world/ The musings and whinings of a middle school Science teacher Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:46:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.scriptedspontaneity.com/2009/12/what-is-the-role-of-professional-organizations-in-the-pln-world/comment-page-1/#comment-134 Edie Parrott Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:29:52 +0000 http://www.scriptedspontaneity.com/?p=338#comment-134 I also work in a right-to-work state, and I have often pondered your same dilemma. I belonged to a national teacher union for a few years, but I discovered that my political beliefs differed sharply from those the organization advanced. At the same time, the monthly newsletters disturbed me since they rarely focused on students. I now belong to a local non-political organization for teachers (at a fraction of union dues) that provides liability insurance and addresses the board of education on matters of interest to all teachers. For what it's worth, I think it is important to belong to an organization that advances your teaching beliefs because there are so many other groups lobbying for their own interests. Without a group, an individual's ideas may become lost in the din of so many other voices. The difficult part is finding that group that represents your ideas, beliefs, morals, etc. I also work in a right-to-work state, and I have often pondered your same dilemma. I belonged to a national teacher union for a few years, but I discovered that my political beliefs differed sharply from those the organization advanced. At the same time, the monthly newsletters disturbed me since they rarely focused on students. I now belong to a local non-political organization for teachers (at a fraction of union dues) that provides liability insurance and addresses the board of education on matters of interest to all teachers. For what it’s worth, I think it is important to belong to an organization that advances your teaching beliefs because there are so many other groups lobbying for their own interests. Without a group, an individual’s ideas may become lost in the din of so many other voices. The difficult part is finding that group that represents your ideas, beliefs, morals, etc.

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