NYSUT campaign captures real impact of educators
t’s no secret the teaching profession has come under increased fire in recent years. Extremists are turning curriculum into culture war issues. Some politicians are seizing the opportunity to demonize public education and divide voters. Certain media outlets are amplifying these stories to stoke even more outrage.
Thankfully, these efforts are largely failing.
Polls show most Americans trust their children’s teachers and value public school education. And we know that almost everyone — regardless of age, region of the country or personal belief system — can thank at least one educator who transformed the way they see the world or themselves.
That’s why NYSUT has launched “Educator Inspired,” a sprawling new multimedia campaign to honor these untold stories and pay homage to the educators whose impacts ripple across entire communities.
“Almost every adult that I speak to has a favorite educator, somebody who made a difference for them, somebody who changed the trajectory of their life or got them inspired about a subject area, and what we’re doing is asking people to tell those stories,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person.
“Educator Inspired” encourages people to share memories about their favorite teachers through videos, written testimonials and other media. We are also setting up our “Educator Inspired” booth at fairs, festivals and markets across New York state. We will share the vignettes we gather on our new “Educator Inspired” website and social media channels.
The more we share these true stories, the more we push back on the false narratives that spread through anti-educator, anti-public-school propaganda. These personal accounts will amplify pride in our public schools and respect for the individuals who have dedicated their lives to education.
This campaign, along with our efforts to Fix Tier 6 and address APPR, will help ensure our members’ professions are enticing and sustainable career choices.
But most importantly, “Educator Inspired” gives us an opportunity to thank our teachers directly, maybe for the first time, for the vital work they do and the meaningful influence they continue to have.
“When people put those stories out into the world,” Person said, “our members get to be reminded of who they are for their students.”
For more information, visit educator-inspired.org.
Getting on the right track
Dan Clark, host of WMHT’s New York Now show, said his teacher, Roy Pratt, got him his first reporting job at 16 and helped him through tough times. “You could always rely on him for space at lunch or after school to just hang out. Especially for me, I had a lot of family problems at home, and it made such a difference to have him there.”
Getting on the right track
Dan Clark, host of WMHT’s New York Now show, said his teacher, Roy Pratt, got him his first reporting job at 16 and helped him through tough times. “You could always rely on him for space at lunch or after school to just hang out. Especially for me, I had a lot of family problems at home, and it made such a difference to have him there.”
Saving lives
Ryan Clark says it was his high school physical education teacher, Paul Nussbaum, who inspired him to become a lifeguard. “He … told me it was going to be one of the most rewarding jobs that I could ever have.” He was right. In his 27 years as a lifeguard, Clark estimates he’s made at least 500 rescues at the beach.
Musical mismatch
Natalie McKay loved music but hated her instrument. “I absolutely hated the clarinet. I wanted to quit. I actually broke the reeds on my clarinet so I could get out of music class.” Fortunately, her music teacher, Mr. Montgomery, suggested she try the piano, and then stayed after school teaching her to play. McKay went on to earn a music scholarship to college for piano.
Elected to lead
New York State Senator James Skoufis credits retired Monroe-Woodbury history teacher Paul Ellis-Graham with inspiring him to enter politics. “He inspired every day in the classroom, got me to think differently … and ingrained me with the civic responsibility and duty that I feel to this day.”
Supporting all students
Catherine remembers Mrs. McGuff ran the Learning Center, where students with learning disabilities could get extra resources or support. Mrs. McGuff made sure she stayed on track and got the extra time she needed for exams and assignments. “I don’t think I would have made it through high school without her.”
Troublemaker turned teaching assistant
Koketa couldn’t make teachers see her, until she met Mrs. Friar. Koketa was a bright, independent thinker — and that often got her in trouble. But her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Friar, put her to work helping her classmates with their lessons. “Mrs. Friar was an African-American woman, so I had that to look up to, and she cared about me like I was her own daughter.”
