Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A Message from Ernie Fisher
Ernie Fisher, Candidate for President
Dear JTEA members:
A New Direction
These are certainly challenging times for all employed in public schools of New Jersey. In times of strife and trouble, we always look toward our professional association leadership for direction and guidance. We are struggling to safeguard our employment and retirement benefits so that we can enter retirement with security and dignity. We are seeking to maintain a level of professionalism that is on par with other professionals.
I am very concerned with the direction of the JTEA. I believe our association should be on a different path; a path that respects and protects all members. Contract bargaining comes and goes, but it's the defending and upholding of that contract that's critical to our wellbeing as a professional association. We have been weakened by lack of action; follow through and, above all, the lack of professional enthusiasm. With that being said, Patricia Davey, Ginger Latham, Laura Ajaj and myself have committed ourselves to improving our association by providing a more supportive, professional and transparent organization where everyone's voice will be heard. This new team of candidates has the desire and ability to stand up and create a JTEA that will be viewed with respect once again.
Thirteen years ago I began teaching at JHS. During that year I attained my teaching certification though the state’s alternate route program and I was thrilled to be a professional educator. For the most part, I found my work environment friendly and professional with a strong sense of community. As all first year teachers, I was naïve, nervous and insecure but, thankfully, I found my department and administration to be very helpful. I felt a “people first” approach which promoted a feeling of trust throughout the faculty. I left Jefferson for a brief three year period and when I returned I found policy and personnel changes, but the essence of Jefferson was still there - a great workplace.
Over the last few years, the environment has changed drastically with a “top down" approach which has created low morale. I ask this question "Is a faculty that feels respected better for the students in Jefferson Township?" One consequence was the loss of autonomy in the classrooms. Teachers no longer practice creativity and individuality. We are mandated to instruct in a cookbook style method demonstrating the district is more concerned with their “checklists” than engaging learning for students. This was another reason why I want to be involved as an advocate and officer of the JTEA. My desire to change the status quo, led me to join the action team for the current contract negotiations. During our action team meetings, I had opportunities to work and talk with Pat Davey on numerous professional subjects. My respect for her grew as we shared our ideas for member advocacy and soon ideas for a healthier association began to formulate. After two action committee meetings, our suggested ideas for actions were dismissed and not pursued by JTEA leadership. We were told there was “no need for actions because we were so close to settling” and "we don't want to upset them." We heard this theme over and over again as contract attainment slipped further and further away. We were also told "the economy is getting better" and there was no rush. Really? Pat and I found the lack of action and solidarity very disheartening and decided it wasn't good enough. Our conversations began to include Ginger Latham, former JTEA president and NJEA consultant and Laura Ajaj, HS math teacher who shared our sentiments.
The resolution to our frustration and displeasure was to run as a team for the JTEA officer positions. We were frustrated by our voices being ignored, our employment contract not being defended and watching coworkers struggle. We believe the JTEA and the students of Jefferson deserve much better. I have the desire to do the right thing for our members as do my running mates. There is a wealth of intelligence, experience and professional characteristics among our team. It is our goal to return respect to our members, create an environment where members enjoy working, protect the negotiated contract that defines our working conditions and to guarantee a duty of fair representation for all. If you believe Jefferson schools can be a better place to work and that there's HOPE for a better day, cast your vote for change. Collectively we will work to make a healthier association possible and a work place which is second to none.
Please visit our blog http://newteamnewdream.blogspot.com/ for further information.
Sincerely,
Ernie Fisher
Candidate for JTEA President
