TERRE HAUTE —
Alison West, a music teacher at West Vigo and Ouabache elementary schools, was among the large group of teachers who attended Tuesday’s Rally for Public Education in Indianapolis.
Hundreds of Indiana teachers swarmed the Indiana Statehouse to denounce sweeping education proposals backed by Republicans who control the House and Senate. Many teachers object to proposals from GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels, including restrictions on collective bargaining, merit pay for teachers and vouchers that would direct taxpayer money to private schools.
In her third year of teaching, West believed it was important to attend because “I don’t feel public school teachers are being heard right now,” she said in a telephone interview after the rally had concluded.
“It’s kind of sad when state leaders don’t tell you that you are doing a good job and want to change everything you are doing when you feel you are doing the best you can,” she said. “I care about my job and what I’m doing. I want them to listen to those of us who are in schools every day and want what’s best for our kids and our public schools.”
She’s concerned the public may not understand how serious the consequences could be for public schools if the changes supported by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels become law.
“All they [the public] hear are state leaders eloquently putting us down,” West said. “I feel I want to be heard as well.”
The rally was “amazing,” she said, and she couldn’t believe all the teachers and their supporters who attended. “It was comforting to know we’re all standing together,” she said.
She wants people to know that “public schools care so much about your children and we want what’s best for them and we need support from the public. We don’t do it for ourselves — we do it for the kids.”
Sande Bemis, an English teacher at Riverton Parke Junior-Senior High School, also attended the rally.
She has taught 32 years and is close to retiring, but she’s concerned about the future of public education in Indiana. She has grandchildren in the Vigo County School Corp.
She’s concerned about several proposals, including restrictions on collective bargaining and expansion of charter schools.
Many of the legislators backing the changes “are giving the impression that schools are not effective at all. Suddenly, they have become experts on education without most of them having been in the classroom,” she said. “We are very concerned they are trying to destroy public education without having a working knowledge of what is going on in public education.”
With regard to a potential expansion of charter schools, she suggests “there is absolutely no research showing charters are performing better than public schools.”
She also has concerns that more charter schools will take money away from existing public schools. “We’re fighting to keep our heads above water now with budget cuts,” Bemis said.
She hopes the large show of teachers at the Statehouse “makes a big difference … I think it’s critically important we take a stand and let them know teachers aren’t just going to roll over and accept this.”
Shane Grimes, ISTA Uniserv director who represents Vigo, Vermillion, Clay, Sullivan and parts of Knox County, was among those attending. He is a former teacher.
One of the messages teachers hoped to convey was that every child in Indiana has the right to a free public education, not a state-subsidized private education, he said. The state should not be funding private schools.
Teachers also hoped to convey that summer school, preschool and full-day kindergarten would be effective ways to improve student achievement, not vouchers, more charter schools or curtailment of collective bargaining, he said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Susan Brace of Fort Wayne, Ind., holds signs during a rally at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011. Teachers gathered to rally against sweeping education changes being pushed by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels. Darron Cummings
Discussion
Valley teachers join Statehouse rally
Concerned about proposed reforms
- News
-
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Today in History May 22
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Today in History May 23
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
