Teachers – JC Bowman

Yes, Your Vote Matters

October 23, 2024 by JC Bowman, posted in Advocacy, Educators, JC Bowman, Leadership

Not everyone shares the same perspective on every issue concerning politics, policies, social matters, or worldviews. Rather than attempting to stifle political discourse, we should encourage and empower voters to make their own informed decisions. We must have faith in the voters to make educated choices that will help shape a brighter future for our state and nation.

Economic concerns and who you trust to handle the economy are cited as the most significant factors influencing voter sentiment for the 2024 presidential election. Education is a crucial driver of economic growth and prosperity, but that has been lost in the discussion.

Extensive research shows that investing more in education fosters economic development, resulting in higher individual salaries, improved workforce efficiency, and an increased gross domestic product. Evolving party dynamics and changing priorities will shape the electoral landscape. Additionally, crime and health care remain significant issues.

Public education is most effective when accountable to the local community rather than a distant bureaucracy in state capitals or Washington, DC. Since 1965, federal one-size-fits-all mandates have burdened local educators. We need leaders dedicated to educating our children and transforming them into moral, productive, and literate citizens.

One viewpoint criticizes the government and advocates for dismantling public education. Proponents of this perspective argue for a privately managed system that they believe will be more effective. Regardless of individual opinions, polished marketing messages emphasizing opportunity, innovation, and efficiency can be expected. Ultimately, the goal is to eliminate public education, which they perceive as detrimental.

Conversely, another perspective highlights that non-academic skills can significantly impact life outcomes, sometimes even more than academic skills. This does not diminish the essential role of literacy and numeracy education, nor does it lessen the importance of history and science courses; both are critical for informed citizenship and workforce success. However, it’s crucial to recognize that success in various life domains is not solely dictated by a few points on state assessments, which often lack true predictive power.

Under both perspectives, it is imperative that parents and community members have a strong vested interest in the success of the schools, and they must co-own the outcomes that are produced. Parents have the right to know how well their children perform compared to their peers nationwide. In addition, taxpayers who support our public school system have the right to know that any system they fund produces the promised results.

The education reform movement urgently needs reform. It has become disconnected from teachers and no longer prioritizes students. Many reforms lack solid evidence. We must consider teachers’ insights on their development to improve student performance. Raising test scores doesn’t guarantee lifelong success, especially if we ignore essential social and fine motor skills vital for cognitive growth.

Education “reformers” have lost their path because they focus on the wrong ideas in education and lack direct first-hand experience in public education. Opinions disguised with misinterpreted data create a bias that becomes terrible public policy.

Educators recognize that critical thinking, creativity, conflict resolution, communication, and teamwork are essential and should not be overlooked. Research shows that well-rounded individuals pursue personal fulfillment and have greater self-confidence. Education should focus on preparing students for careers and teaching lifelong values, discipline, and independent thinking. Albert Einstein noted, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”

Winston Churchill taught us that “the price of leadership is responsibility.” This is true of leadership everywhere, from the White House to the state house and even the schoolhouse. While educators have been the ones who have borne the crux of education reform efforts, those in the highest offices of our nation’s capital and state capitols are all too often exempt from being held responsible for their actions. That doesn’t seem fair.

Are we using the right metrics for success? How long will education reform continue without accountability? Who do you trust more: a local teacher who works with your child daily or a bunch of non-educators and lobbyists in Nashville or Washington, D.C.? Yes, your vote matters.

JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee

Education Plays a Vital Role

Featured by JC Bowman, posted in Advocacy, JC Bowman, Leadership, Parents, Students, Tennessee Education, Workforce

As residents of Tennessee, every individual has a stake in public education, whether they are students, parents, teachers, taxpayers, or community members. Education plays a vital role in shaping the future of the state, its workforce, and its society as a whole.

Since public education is influenced and governed by public policy decisions made by elected officials, it’s crucial for people to engage in the process if they want to have a say in the direction of education in their state. This involvement can take various forms:

Voting: Participating in local and state elections to choose representatives who will shape education policies.
Advocacy: Contacting elected officials, attending public meetings, and participating in community discussions to voice opinions and concerns about education policies.
Community Engagement: Collaborating with schools, attending parent-teacher association meetings, and joining school improvement committees to contribute to the development of educational initiatives.
Awareness and Education: Staying informed about educational issues, trends, and policies so you can make informed decisions and effectively advocate for change.
Partnerships: Forming partnerships with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders to collectively work towards improving education quality and access.

By actively engaging in these ways, Tennesseans can influence the policies that shape public education, ensuring that it aligns with the needs and aspirations of their communities and supports the growth and development of the state as a whole.

JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee

Teachers are Unsung Heroes

Featured by JC Bowman, posted in Advocacy, Educators, JC Bowman, Leadership, Professional Educators of Tennessee, Tennessee Education

Effective teachers are the major in-school factor in improving student achievement. Supporting our teachers and leaders from educator preparation programs to the classroom, and through their careers is the only way to achieve success for all students.

The role of teachers in society is profound and multifaceted. They are often the unsung heroes who contribute significantly to the development and progress of individuals and communities. The crucial role of educators is our:

Foundation for Success: Teachers are responsible for imparting the knowledge, skills, and values that enable students to thrive not only within the confines of the classroom but also in their future endeavors. They lay the foundation for a lifelong journey of learning and personal growth.
Guidance and Support: Beyond academics, teachers often serve as mentors and role models for their students. They offer guidance, emotional support, and a sense of belonging, especially during challenging times. Their presence can make a significant difference in students’ lives.
Educational Achievement: Teachers play a pivotal role in raising the academic achievements of their students. Through effective teaching methods, personalized attention, and dedication, educators can help students reach their full potential and excel in their studies.
Community Building: Teachers are integral to building strong communities. They nurture connections among students, families, and the larger community by creating spaces for collaboration, dialogue, and shared experiences.
Going Above and Beyond: Many teachers go above and beyond their job descriptions. They invest extra time and effort to ensure their students succeed, often taking on additional responsibilities and finding creative ways to engage and motivate their students.
Reflection and Appreciation: Recognizing the contributions of teachers and the positive impact on individuals and society is essential. It’s important for students, families, leaders, and communities, to recognize and support their educators in their endeavors.

Educators are instrumental in shaping the present and future of society by nurturing the potential of each individual student and fostering a culture of learning and growth. Tennessee educators’ commitment and dedication contribute to the state’s educational progress and the growth of its future workforce. Their dedication and hard work deserve the highest recognition and appreciation.

JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee

Are You “Called” to Teach

September 26, 2019 by JC Bowman, posted in Advocacy, Educators, JC Bowman, Leadership, Professional Development, Professional Educators of Tennessee, Professional Learning, Tennessee Education

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Why do people teach? The major reason someone says they teach is the ability to make a real difference in the lives of children. There are other reasons, including the fact that someone believes they are “called” to teach. Almost all teachers are linked together by a passion for educating children. The passion is innate and has to come from within.

Former Commissioner of Education in Tennessee, Candice McQueen, reminded a group of educators in a presentation that we were set apart in our mission. She pointed out the gifts that educators have are special talents and abilities. Educators are born for the mission that is being given for us. Dr. McQueen emphasized the profession is a special calling. She is correct.

We are all on a search for significance. We desire to make a difference. Educators are making a huge difference. That is why it is important that we honor them. It is the English social critic, Os Guinness, who stated: “Calling is not only a matter of being and doing what we are, but also of becoming what we are not yet but are called by God to be.” He then adds: “Deep in our hearts, we all want to find and fulfill a purpose bigger than ourselves.” Education of the next generation is one of the most important occupations we could ever do. The belief that one is “called to teach” keeps women and men in education, even with all the unwanted public scrutiny.

Matthew Lynch writes about teaching as a calling: “A calling implies a deep-seated belief that teaching is the only profession that makes sense for you to pursue…” Dylan Fenton, an English teacher and writer does not like the term “calling,” as it creates to him an “idea that good teachers are born, not made and, as a result, allow themselves to stagnate.” I would argue that Lynch is more accurate than Fenton, as a passionate teacher never stops honing their craft. John Hunter, an award-winning teacher and educational consultant wrote: “I used to think teaching was a job. And then I thought it was a profession. And now I’m of the opinion that it’s a calling. It’s a very noble calling.”

Henry David Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” John Keating, in the movie Dead Poets Society challenged his students to not be resigned to that type of life. Yes, John Keating was subsequently fired, and probably never taught another class the rest of his life. However, he taught his students to find their own voice. It was his calling. If you have a profession that brings you passion, gives you someone other than yourself to care for, and is something that makes you want to get up in the morning to accomplish, you will not live a life of quiet desperation.

Teaching is indeed an imposing, self-sacrificing, but also a magnanimous calling. Going through the process to get certified, whether through traditional means or an alternative route is sometimes difficult. The creativity aspect of the profession has slowly been eroded. There is persistent negativity by some lawmakers and the media of public education. Compared to other professions, educators can expect a modest salary and sometimes extremely difficult working conditions. However, if you are called to teach, you will never find a happier place than in a classroom or serving students. Educators are set apart to make a difference. There is no other profession, except perhaps the clergy, that can change lives like a public-school teacher.

JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Audrey Shores, Director of Communications, at 1-800-471-4867 ext.102.

Excellent Protection and Legal Services for Educators

July 23, 2019 by JC Bowman, posted in Educators, JC Bowman, Professional Educators of Tennessee, Tennessee Education

We live in a litigious society. As an educator or school employee, you should be keenly aware that professional liability insurance is critical because district coverage may not protect you individually. It is dangerous and potentially career-threatening if you enter a public-school classroom without liability or legal protection. Professional Educators of Tennessee handles legal issues in a positive, professional and confidential manner, without fanfare or publicity. Our members do not want undue publicity that can damage their case or their reputations. That is why you rarely read or hear about our members’ legal problems in the media.

Due to their unique role, educators face exposure to liability much greater than does the average citizen and therefore must exercise a higher duty of care than most professionals. Nearly every day teachers must deal with diverse laws related to issues such as child abuse, student discipline, negligence, defamation, student records, and copyright infringement. Tennessee teachers often cite professional liability insurance as a major reason for becoming a member, and rightly so. Professional Educators of Tennessee offers educators high-quality legal protection and professional liability insurance, at a fraction of the cost of labor unions. Our educators’ professional liability insurance is unmatched in Tennessee.

As an educator, you are also a consumer, and you expect and deserve quality services at an affordable price. Our dues at Professional Educators of Tennessee are currently $189. Contrast that with the roughly $600 or more that you are asked to pay for union dues and you will quickly realize not only cost savings but also more liability protection. We are less expensive because we are not part of a national organization – money collected is used on organizational goals and stays here in Tennessee. Politically, we are non-partisan. Your dues will never be utilized as political campaign contributions or to support social issue causes unrelated to education. That alone saves our members money Teachers’ unions engage in aggressive political partisanship and promote a wide-ranging social agenda on issues unrelated to education, often not reflective of the diverse political views of their broader membership.

Bad things happen to good educators every day. There are certainly increased risks for educators targeted by civil lawsuits. School districts are spending more on litigation costs and frivolous lawsuits. Educators need excellent liability coverage to cover inadvertent mistakes that could possibly happen. It’s is better to be proactive by being a member of Professional Educators of Tennessee, as countless teachers discover during the school year. In today’s society, false allegations can also occur, and with the prevalence of cell phones and social media, this has made educators even more vulnerable.

There are unnecessary lawsuits filed every year with allegations that have little basis in fact. The American legal system makes it easy to file a lawsuit regardless of the merit of the case. Unfortunately, public schools always will be susceptible to legal challenges, and we will never eliminate all lawsuits. That is why you need professional liability coverage so that you can focus on your job as an educator, and not matters out of your control. When allegations are made, or worse charges are filed, teachers may not be able to count on the backing of a school system or elected official. You need an organization to stand behind you, preferably one without a partisan agenda. Our legal resources, including attorneys who know education law are available to assist members with employment concerns. Our legal services team is a phone call away to answer any school-employment questions.

Only Professional Educators of Tennessee offers the peace of mind of $2 Million per member per occurrence, coverage for coaching, tutoring & private instruction, and up to $35,000 for Criminal Acts—and your coverage is never dependent on the discretion/pre-approval of a union boss, Access to your legal protection is not dependent upon whether your case is determined to be in the best interest of Professional Educators of Tennessee.

As with many professions requiring a state license, the teaching profession—like law and medicine—is governed by a code of ethics. This code outlines standards of personal and professional conduct that you, a member of the profession, must uphold. Violating a standard can have serious consequences for your teaching license. In addition, in 2018 the state added new laws regarding Teacher Ethics and Teacher Misconduct. Districts are now required to offer annual training in ethics. Our organization has partnered with the state to offer online ethics training to our members and other educators.

Unlike other organizations, where employment protection is discretionary, Professional Educators of Tennessee has no committee or group of people who will decide whether or not you will be represented should you face such an employment situation. This coverage saves our members thousands of dollars in legal fees every year and provides immeasurable peace of mind.

Our counseling philosophy is the best way to avoid having a situation escalate to a legal problem and only requires you to call us before the situation gets out of hand. It is very important to know your legal rights and responsibilities. Your membership with Professional Educators of Tennessee and our working relationship with you ensures your rights are not only realized but protected.

When you have a job-related legal question or concern that may have legal implications, make your first call to Professional Educators of Tennessee or email legal@proedtn.org. Speaking to an in-house attorney is the best and most efficient way to avoid having a situation escalate into a legal problem. It is critical that you know your legal rights and responsibilities. Your membership with Professional Educators of Tennessee ensures that you will be informed without delay. We are here to help and support our members.

Everyone Loves Their Mother

May 12, 2019 by JC Bowman, posted in Holidays, JC Bowman

It might not always be true, but it is as close to the truth as you might find on Mother’s Day: Everybody loves their mother. For the longest time, my customized ring tone for my own Mom was Merle Haggard’s song “Mama Tried”. The song was an ode to all of us out there, who didn’t always listen to their moms. No matter how much you thank the woman who does it all for her children, once a year is never enough.

Mother’s Day is certainly one of the most celebrated days of the year, and rightly so. Mothers hold a special place in our hearts. There is an unbreakable bond between Mother’s and their children. The prophet Jeremiah wrote about being set aside even before birth. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”

Mothers know and love us as we grow inside of them. They love us even before they meet us. It is a love that goes beyond explanation, it brings out the strongest emotions in the human soul. Her raw feelings will run deep and certain, she will expose her deepest emotions to protect her children. She knows the baby she holds in her arms will grow quickly. A mother’s love is the closest thing most children will experience to God’s love for us.

I am occasionally jealous of my wife, at least sometimes. Our children will call her and share stories of my grandchildren, their careers, or just about life. I get the information second hand because she is their confidant and advisor. I have deep conversations with them, but not as frequent and not as intimate. It is just part of her role as a Mom. And I admit I was just as guilty with my own mother, sharing things I would not tell my own dad. It is normal.

There are times only when the love of a Mother can comfort us. Her love helps take away our worries and frustrations. Most of the time our Mom knows the right words to speak to us. “Mothers are the strongest and first connection we make in life,” according to writer David Kessler. That bond is seldom, if ever, broken.

Judith Orloff, a psychiatrist and author of The Empath’s Survival Guide wrote: “Mothers have a sixth sense about their kids because of their strong connection genetically, emotionally and by virtue of carrying the child in their womb for nine months,” She adds, “Adopted mothers can also feel this connection on a soul level, and their intuition can reach out to save their children too.” We should reflect on a mother’s sacrifice of tears, toil and time.

We could never set aside enough days in a year, or hours in a week to honor the women that shape and inspire our lives daily. We should remember the mothers, wives, daughters, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, stepmothers, godmothers, friends, teachers and all women in our lives this Mother’s Day.

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JC Bowman is executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville.

Student Discipline Is Out of Control

March 1, 2019 by JC Bowman, posted in Educators, JC Bowman, Leadership, Professional Educators of Tennessee, Tennessee Education

It is easy to argue that student discipline in public education is out of control. And in many districts across the state, it clearly is a huge problem. A recent headline in The Tennessee Star stated: Metro Nashville Students So Out of Control Teachers Fear for Their Lives, SROs Fleeing from Alternative Schools, Educators, Officials Say. The article was written after a shocking Teacher Town Hall, hosted by NewsChannel 5 in Nashville.

Lack of student discipline, inadequate administrative support, and lack of respect are frequently cited why teachers leave the teaching profession, almost as much as salary and working conditions. The situation is clearly getting worse, despite all the feel-good policies enacted by some school boards. Old fashioned discipline is gone, replaced with fads and trends. In Tennessee, some legislators are pushing for legislation that is likely to make matters even worse.

The exodus of many veteran Tennessee teachers may have eliminated part of the solution and acerbated the problem, along with an influx of new administrators. However, that is a simple explanation and a somewhat faulty logic. Worse, it lays the blame for continued societal problems at the feet of public education yet again.

It is true, public education has its issues, from design to execution, but every problem faced by society gets manifested in our schools. Educators work incredible hours, doing thankless tasks that other professionals do not have to do. Many people have jobs with specific skills and also have a lack of acknowledgment and a shortage of appreciation. But educators may just win the prize for wearing a multitude of hats. We need more community support.

Teaching is not an eight-hour-a-day, five-day-a-week job. There are many duties that educators tackle that do not require pedagogical skills or experience in the classroom but are necessary for the profession. Teachers need a strong immune system to protect them from exposure to every possible illness in a classroom. Not only that, teachers must comfort and guide those students with little to no support at home. Teachers spend their evenings and weekends making lesson plans, grading papers, and other extracurricular activities. Teachers often spend their own money on classroom supplies, decorations, and food for their students.

It would be awesome if every educator had a positive and supportive working environment where they could thrive personally and professionally, and where they were free to exercise their expertise and explore the full limits of their talents. Alas, that is not the world we live in. Every day across Tennessee, our educators work with children who have experienced physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect.

Policymakers and stakeholders at all levels should make it a priority to work together in order to reduce excessive educator workload, at the same time providing salary increases that will actually go into the teachers’ paychecks and not just to the district coffers. However, getting student discipline under control may be a bigger challenge.

News Channel 5 revealed a confidential report where a Nashville law firm warns the Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) that it would become “difficult, if not impossible, for the district to retain qualified and exemplary employees.” If Nashville is an example, other districts around the state should enact totally different policies. If MNPS is a model district for any other system, then other districts may soon find themselves in a similar predicament. Administrators, teachers, parents, and students deserve better leadership there.

Student discipline needs the attention of policymakers across the state. Failure to act quickly and responsibly will only continue to erode support for public education and see quality educators flee the profession. It is time to address student discipline in a more comprehensive fashion.

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JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee.

What I Didn’t Say

November 16, 2018 by JC Bowman, posted in JC Bowman, Leadership, Professional Educators of Tennessee, Tennessee Education

Candice-McQueen-at-appointment-press-conference

I had several news organizations call and/or email for a statement on the departure of Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Candice McQueen. I hastily put together my thoughts, and wrote:

“Professional Educators of Tennessee appreciates the contributions of Commissioner Candice McQueen. Commissioner McQueen is one of the most visible members of the Haslam Administration. She took over the Department during a dark period in public education, and she made a significant difference within the Department, particularly in the infrastructure. Those changes are not readily noticeable, as they include systems, processes and human capital. There are some exceptional people within the Department of Education working to make public education a success in our state. It is unfortunate that online testing continues to be a point of contention, but the state is moving in a positive direction. The next Commissioner of Education and the 111th Tennessee General Assembly will need to make adjustments in student assessment as we move forward. We will always be grateful to Commissioner McQueen for her unwavering support of increasing teacher salaries and commitment to student literacy. These are incredible legacies to leave as she departs her critical role serving the citizens of Tennessee, and we wish Commissioner McQueen much success in her new role. We look forward to working with Governor-elect Bill Lee and offering input on a successor.”

That’s what professionals do. We issue statements and offer public comments about people and issues. There is a right way and a wrong way to do that task. In an era where we seemingly delight in lack of civility and negative tone of politics, we must take the high road. We are polarized as a country, not because we are afraid to discuss issues of substance, but rather we cannot talk to each other in a respectful manner. It’s easier for some to just be what my mom used to classify as “rude, crude and uncalled for.” In the end, we merely see who can be the loudest in the room, and end up talking over each other.

What does that have to do with a statement on the Departure of a Haslam Cabinet official? Simple, it brings out the ugly. And I have seen some mean-spirited people critical of Commissioner McQueen, as she moves into the next phase of her career. Most of those being critical are clueless. To paraphrase Shakespeare, “In a battle of wits, they are unarmed.”

Tupac Shakur said, “Behind every sweet smile, there is a bitter sadness that no one can ever see and feel.” I spent time with Commissioner McQueen as more than a casual observer. Her heart and passion were always for the children and teachers in Tennessee. She fought battles which nobody knew about and which, despite the lofty title in front of her name, she had little control. While we didn’t always agree on every issue, it was always a discussion she was willing to have with me, as well as others. She made it a priority to discuss teacher issues with me regularly, and as needed as frequently as possible. That alone will always endear her to the teachers who were included in those discussions.

Candice McQueen is a woman of faith. That is an element that we need more of in public service. She didn’t wield her faith as a sword, but you knew that she was a believer in Jesus Christ. She had a preference for ideas over politics. She chose principle over popularity. She took ownership of a testing debacle, that she had inherited and didn’t even pick the people who oversaw it. She could have easily laid blame elsewhere. She chose not to do that. She wisely fired a failed testing company. She was not a seasoned politician. If you recall legislative hearings, she sat there and took valid criticism of a flawed system. However, that critique often crossed the line personally.

Candice McQueen symbolized the hope for a more decent and gentler public servant, willing to acknowledge faults in a system—and personally owning them. Whereas Harry Truman said, “The buck stops here,” McQueen also took ownership while at the same time working to correct the issues. (Much like building an airplane while at the same time trying to fly it.) She did this while remaining optimistic and energetic. From first-hand knowledge, I know she frequently started her work day before 6:00 AM and often finished it after 9:00 PM, even though she was a mother and wife. Commissioner McQueen will be missed.

As far as the next Commissioner of Education goes, I imagine it will be much harder to fill her shoes than most people realize. The next Commissioner must make sure she/he has direct access to the new Governor, with complete authority to make changes as needed. The Governor, not the Commissioner of Education, must fight the legislative battles. We need a true public servant we can also work with, who understands Tennessee and our educators.

The beautiful thing about legacies is that time is a fair-minded judge. I suspect that Candice McQueen, like Lana Seivers who served years before her, will be seen as a Commissioner who helped build a modern Department of Education which meets the needs of districts, educators, parents and children. Tennessee is moving forward in education, and we all should be proud of our accomplishments.

Ethics Training for Educators

September 14, 2018 by JC Bowman, posted in Advocacy, Educators, JC Bowman, Leadership, Legislation, Professional Development, Professional Educators of Tennessee, Professional Learning, Resources, Students, Tennessee Education

Christy Ballard is the long time General Counsel of Tennessee Department of Education. Nobody in the state knows Education Law better than Christy Ballard. And she shares her vast knowledge. She regularly assists in the implementation and enforcement of Tennessee’s education laws and regulations by providing legal technical assistance to local school board attorneys, other state agency staff, legislators, LEA officials, teachers and the general public by providing the TDOE’s position on school related laws and regulations.

Why Do People Teach?

August 26, 2018 by JC Bowman, posted in JC Bowman, Professional Educators of Tennessee

life focus