The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Union bashing is the American way

A documentary that criticizes public education, teachers’ unions and teachers in the United States is showing in theatres across North America. Waiting for Superman, by filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, who directed the Academy Award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, argues that public schools are bad and that teachers and their unions are to blame for failing schools. The movie proposes that the solution lies with charter schools and privatizing education. National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel commented: “Nowhere in the film or in its discussion have teachers’ voices been heard. If you want to know how to make a public school great, ask a teacher, not Hollywood.” The American Federation of Teachers has responded to the movie with its Not Waiting for Superman website, which discusses how the public, parents, politicians and educators can help all children obtain a high quality public education.

WTD declared national public holiday in Uganda

The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has announced that starting in 2011, October 5 will be recognized as an annual national public holiday in Uganda, in honour of World Teachers’ Day. World Teachers’ Day celebrates teachers’ role in providing education. UNATU general secretary, Teopista Birungi Mayanja, said that her union has been advocating for the designation for the past 10 years.

Transgender homecoming queen unwelcome

A transgender student who was nominated to compete for the title of North Dallas High School’s homecoming queen was barred from running. Student Andy Moreno, an 18-year-old student who was born male but identifies as female, was told by Principal Dinnah Escanilla: “You are a male, and males can run for king, not queen.” Moreno argued: “I just want a fair chance and to let the students decide, not the principal. The students treat me like any other girl. Why can’t the administration? This is discrimination against my gender and sexuality.” Sandra Guerrero, Dallas school district spokesperson, said that although the district has no policy on gender requirements for homecoming royalty, it supports the principal. On October 11, students voted on nominees for the homecoming court—Moreno did not make the list.