Is Teacher Tenure Worth It?

I Authored a Book about Corruption in Schools and Received a Pink Slip!~ 

My book “Teachers… It Ain’t Your Fault” is released and the same week

I am terminated, coincidence? I doubt it.

              Lest you do not believe abolishing teacher tenure will twist teacher retention into a personality contest, I would be akin to remind you of what I progressed through for 22 months purely for the reason that, I believe, I am an outspoken Conservative Christian.  Commencing in 2007 through 2010 I had been enduring persecution that was implausible because I took a stance critical of what the school system in America was doing to our children.  I have been a teacher for 20 years and have seen firsthand why education is in fact deteriorating.  Because leaders in education are not concerned about children…they are mindful about their careers.

              Let me provide you a little background.  I ran for U. S. Congress in 1998 and 2000 and overtly took a position in opposition to the school districts.  Since then I wrote a book, “Teachers… it Ain’t Your fault” that specifies names and articulates how leadership and administration have cowed down and allowed the education system be destroyed.

             I taught at a high school for expelled students for two years when incidents truly started to ensue.  In 2007 the Campus Monitor was discovered, by two teachers, informing students that I was a racist – putting me at extremely high risk, bearing in mind where I teach. She then validated her belief by depositing a note in my mailbox explaining my racism.  The school district did nothing, which was illustrated in the arbitration that took place in 2010; subsequently I went to the Equal Rights Commission (ERC) to record a grievance. The ERC deemed I had realistic grounds for a case of discrimination and they sent it to the Attorney Generals desk.

             I will simply divulge a pair of the events that occurred from the time I recorded the grievance seeing that my details include 21 pages of persecution.

            One, my principal removed me from my classroom in the presence of my students evidently for sending a student to his office for forcefully revealing to the class that another teacher was a f…ing b…h.  I presume the principal considers referring to teachers in that aspect as entirely acceptable.

            Two, in January 2009 I was suspended, actually reassigned to my home, for allegedly striking a student.  Even though the entire scene was portrayed on video demonstrating that I simply did not touch, hit or abuse the student, it illustrates me laughing with everyone at the table. The video also revealed three adult employees within 10 feet of the table who all confirmed that I did not contact the student. 

             According to the details the principal recommended me for dismissal solely founded on three student accounts.  He had not talked with me or the three adult witnesses.  The School Police recommended to the DA that I be charged with battery against a minor (initially the investigation was for child abuse). I undeniably perceived my political career and for that matter every other profession as finished.  The DA took one look at it and  threw it out; naturally I did not discover this until the fall of 2010 through my arbitration.  An extensive amount of time spent tormenting about the prospect of the police showing up at your door.

             The curious incident that transpired roughly three months subsequent to my suspension was that another teacher clutched a student by the throat and hurled her into a mass of boxes.  This incident was observed by three teachers and a police report was filed.  I hold copies of the police report and the witness accounts and as I was analyzing them I could not grasp why there was no reprimand to this teacher.  Additional verification that eliminating teacher tenure will develop into nothing other than a personality contest; this teacher was undeniably more of a go along type of guy, as well as a personal comrade of the principal.

              Friday, March 12, 2010 was my day to be terminated, in reality suspended without pay pending recommendation for termination for immorality and dishonesty.  Immorality and dishonesty, can you imagine what the perception will be?  Naturally I was appealing and the Teachers Association informed me the case would be considered in October, signifying I had no earnings until then.  I could not accumulate unemployment without an appeal and as far as acquiring employment; yeah, I am definitely what all employers want, a 55 year old man, suspended, pending termination undergoing a law suit against his previous employer.”

            My book was very publically released on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, coincidence?  I question it.  I deem this has transpired for the reason that I am a Conservative Christian that has not been intimidated, scared or browbeaten by the establishment.

            In July, 2010 I had my unemployment appeal and after the conference with the school district attorney and me, the referee not only concluded in my favor, but declared that there was not “one element of wrongfulness” on my part.  September of 2010 was my official arbitration conference.  It went on for roughly nine hours; nearly four of those were my interrogation and the balance was consumed probing witnesses.  The school district was clearly relying on me to entrap myself, seeing as they had no proof, facts or evidence.  Moreover, they did not even have a closing argument, the attorney just said “We feel Mr. Blockey lied and it was bad enough for him to be terminated.”

            Approximately four weeks later the arbitrator completely vindicated me and had me return to work.  Although, I did obtain my back pay, the persecution and anguish the school district put me through was nothing except corruption.  My physician had me on medication; I acquired an ulcer and I gained over 30 pounds throughout the 22 month ordeal.  While I am enjoying my present school assignment, fellow teachers and administration; while I have terminated my medication and recently discovered my ulcer has been cured; I can confidently confirm to you that if not for teacher tenure I would be out in the cold.

            A query put to me numerous times over the previous few years is if I regret speaking out. My retort is continuously that I will in no way be remorseful for executing the appropriate view in reviving American education.  When individuals in America are besieged for speaking out, America ceases to be.  The solitary occurrence that was strenuous for me throughout this ordeal was the trauma it placed on my wife Chemene; she by no means deserved any of this.

Jim Blockey                                            
Teacher/Author “Teachers… It Ain’t Your Fault.”