So I am not the type to make New Year's resolutions,  However, here is an early one:  I am opening my mouth more.  I know, some colleagues think I have a big mouth.  I speak up for my students.  I shine a spotlight on the rampant racism and sexism in this building.  I was vocal about the homophobia.  Luckily, that is pretty under control - that's what happens when some stuff becomes a hot topic in the media.

However, when it comes to pointing out what is harmful to our kids, I need to be more vocal.  My co-workers might say I was already vocal enough.  I don't think I have been. I read the following article in two parts.


http://www.nj.com/education/2017/12/teachers_accused_of_sexual_misconduct_keep_getting.html#incart_most-readnews

I had to split the reading because I wanted to scream, cry, or punch something.  I have said certain former employees should be in prison for their actions.  However, the hero worship in my building is such that people tune me out.  They think I do not like certain people because I wanted to be favoured and I was not.

That is not and never was the case.  I tried to blow the whistle at my job.  I was told to "drop it" and was then intimidated thereafter.  I was treated cruelly by certain administrators.  Meanwhile, the offending individual still teaches in my school.  I sense there are many teachers in my situation.  To top it all off, the offenders are respected within the building.  I am not.

I read the above article and wanted to cry.  How many of the districts were ones I applied to in my four year struggle to find a permanent full time job?  How many women were passed over?  I had one principal point out that I was a young woman who would probably be going on a maternity leave soon.  

And there are two issues at play here in this issue of administrators sweeping this shit under the rug:  

1.  The administration of a district does not want to do its due diligence, the paper work, the investigation to protect those they are supposed to protect:  the students.  All that matters is the reputation of the school.

2.  The sexism associated with protecting the men.  It's that old boys' club protection of each other.  How many qualified women went for those jobs and were passed over?  What is it in a man that causes him to not be disgusted by such behavior when committed against kids?  What is it that drives a man to not want to do the legwork that gets rid of a person who abuses students?  Why is protecting each other more important than protecting a student?

What can a teacher do?  Report what he or she knows.  What can an administrator do?  Report and do due diligence to stop the behavior in one's district an anywhere else.  What can members of the community do?  Report something to a trusted teacher.  Do not let things be "dropped."

I am so troubled by this article and want to cry.