OPEN LETTER TO ALL
Dear DCPS Employees Past and Present, Parents, Guardians, Students and DC Community:
I am writing this letter to issue a challenge to us all. We as a system are under fire. For those of you that are still in the classroom please do not be lulled into a false sense of security. This school system is under attack and teachers are on the front lines.
In the past few weeks it has become clear that the Washington Teachers Union is either unwilling or unable to protect and successfully defend us, so we must do it ourselves. I and some of my other friends have been on a letter writing campaign and have sent letters to everyone from the DC City Council to President Barack Obama. My focus right now is Oprah Winfrey. It may sound silly but understand that Ms. Winfrey profiled Michelle Rhee as one of the most powerful women in America and is planning on having her on the show. I think that it is important that we get our side of the story to her. Michelle Rhee has been allowed to control the press for far too long. (Contact Oprah's website by clicking this Link . Scroll down and click contact us ).
I have sent letters to Oprah but if we flood her website she will be forced to at least investigate what is going on. It only takes a few minutes to go to her website and click on “contact us” and send an email. We all have a story now it is time to tell that story. From former Principals, to teachers, to custodians, to office staff, and to the students, it is time that we go global with our story. Talking on the blog is great but we are preaching to the choir.
I also encourage you to contact Senator Daniel Akaka who is the Chairman on Oversight of Government Management. Click on Senator Akaka's name above and it will take you directly to his website. You can also write Senator Akaka c/0 141 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, telephone: 202-2246361 or via fax: 202-224-2126.
I have friends that are teachers all over the country and believe me they are watching what is going on in DC and if Michelle Rhee wins here it will spell trouble for all educators across the country. We cannot continue to sit back and wait for others to save us we must save ourselves. Please feel free to forward this letter to all friends in DCPS past and present.
A RIF'd DC Teacher Fighting For Truth
Other people that we can email, just click on the links below:
Senator Daniel Akaka , Subcommitte on Oversight of Government Management
Senator George V. Voinovich, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Oversight Management
Toy Joyner, Russ Parr, CNN, The View, etc.
Everyone has a website and a “CONTACT US” button on that website, let’s use it.
Posted by The Washington Teacher featuring Candi Peterson, blogger in residence