To Our
Members

Recent polls show that members of both political parties view one another not just as misguided but increasingly as evil, using adjectives like “immoral” and “dishonest.”

Roughly one-third of Americans say political differences have damaged their family relationships.

Fear and distrust are being stoked by unprecedented polarization in our public debate and demonization of those who disagree.

But it does not have to be that way. Our members and public education can be a big part of the solution.

Educators are skilled in helping students learn to discern fact from fiction and to engage in civil discussions.

Disagreement doesn’t need to make us enemies.

When I speak with friends, neighbors, members, and voters in my travels across the state, I hear the same thing over and over. We are hungry to focus on what we have in common: goals like basic freedoms, strong schools and creating more opportunities for our kids.

That is why we are committed to meeting on the common ground of what unites us, and rejecting the chaos that so easily divides us. This common-ground discourse is possible, because I see it every day in our schools.

Educators, parents and local officials know that public schools are the centers of our communities and build critical foundations for our kids to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

In our classrooms, students learn the value of critical thinking, media literacy, and how to become discerning participants in our democracy. Educators teach them to argue with care and decorum.

This also happens in our union, where nearly 700,000 members put aside differences to focus on the common ground that unites us: strong and safe classrooms, sustainable career paths and the right to a dignified retirement. Because we know that we are stronger together, and that what affects one of us affects us all.

You give me hope.

I know that at NYSUT, we are brave enough to engage in meaningful dialogue that begets change and brings out the best in ourselves and our neighbors.

This doesn’t mean we should back down on our values, and it doesn’t mean we can’t champion our ideals with passionate debate. But when we disagree with respect for our shared humanity, we are moving our communities and our country toward the bright future we dream of, for ourselves and for our children.