Cross-posted at edusolidarity.us
I am a teacher. 
There was a time when those words, when spoken, would automatically elicit respect and deference. There was a time when people would openly thank teachers the way they thank our servicemen now.
Not so much now.
Now, people lay all the blame for the educational system solely upon the backs of teachers.
Especially UNION teachers.
The way people throw around the term "bad teachers" one would think that schools are populated with nothing but "bad teachers". And these "bad teachers" are "grossly overpaid" at 50-75 thousand a year for the most experienced teachers
The "reform" laws sprouting up lately have been touted by their promoters as a "way to get better teachers into the classroom".
Let's examine some of these. We have laws eliminating collective bargaining rights for teachers. We have "merit pay" laws. There are laws eliminating seniority when it comes to layoffs. There are increased financial burdens in terms of contributions to health care and pensions. If there are any pensions. One has an urge to ask these lawmakers just HOW these "reforms" will attract "better teachers"?
And that's why teachers unions exist. Although I am not currently a Union member, everything unions do benefits me, and strong teachers unions are one of the keys to attracting and retaining the best professionals possible.