As a student teacher in my final semester at the UW and a state-level leader in WEAC's student program—Student Wisconsin Education Association—I am appalled by Gov. Scott Walker's budget reform proposals. This bill is going to hurt some really good people and some really great educators.
Walker proposes silencing teachers' voices. His bill removes all bargaining rights except for salary. It takes away our ability to bargain on issues such as class size, curriculum, health care and other school quality issues. Who better to inform decisions that affect the education of Wisconsin's students than the teachers and education support professionals that are on the front lines every day?
I fear for our public schools in Wisconsin and the students enrolled in them. Walker's proposals will discourage top candidates—like the ones in our nationally recognized program at UW-Madison—from teaching in Wisconsin. These individuals will begin to seek teaching opportunities in other states that continue to give their teachers a voice in the process and the competitive benefits that draw in intelligent and well-trained professionals.
As I see my colleagues in other degree areas graduate and enter into jobs that pay higher starting wages than I may ever make as an educator, I've always been encouraged and reassured by the benefits that our unions have fought for. Teachers do not enter into the profession for the money, but we deserve to be treated as professionals and we need to be able to support our families. If Walker wants our benefits to be in line with those in the private sector, he must also make our salaries in line with the private sector in order to continue attracting qualified candidates to the profession. The quality of the education of the young people in Wisconsin is in imminent and serious danger.
