“Four years after wrapping up a distinguished teaching career, MEA-Retired member Gayle Martin stepped up to the podium to speak at a recent school board meeting in Rochester, where she has lived and taught for more than three decades.”
Brenda Ortega, MEA Voice Editor Michigan Education Association
The Michigan Education Association is working to present Martin as an advocate for students and a model for teachers to follow in their Freedom to Read series. Those that worked with Martin at Rochester Community Schools have a different perspective than the MEA in regards to her the success of her career.
What RCS Colleagues had to Say:
“She (Martin) did not care about students and constantly gave zeros. So many grade appeals because she (Martin) was behind on grading and suddenly kids would fail her (Martin) class.”
“The type of teacher who was in it to socialize and dress up.”
“So, many requests to not be in her (Martin) class from students and parents. Her (Martin) own colleagues had their children take required classes she (Martin) taught online or in summer school so she (Martin) could not hurt their GPAs.”
“She (Martin) did not offer choice in reading material as a teacher because it was too much work. She (Martin) also used to pay her daughter to grade student work for her, which is how much she (Martin) could have cared less about what the students learned.”
Whose opinion has more credibility, the MEA or those that work alongside Martin?
Martin’s Actions:
Martin & Emily Sommer (Emily April on Facebook) took to social media to organize the buying of books that parents in the community have concerns over. These books would be given directly to teachers to be used in their classroom libraries.
While subbing at a Rochester High School Martin placed her political agenda material in the library. At least one teacher proudly shared she had taken some and would be giving them to students.
Martin’s Logic
Martin tweeted that the district has a non-existent policy for parents to challenge questionable books. Additionally, she ignores the fact that parents are asking for a transparent process in regards to what material is available and taught to students- instead she is spreading the false messaging that parents are looking to ban books. Simultaneously, Martin and Sommer are bringing books into the schools by avoiding any building or district processes that are in existence.
The bypassing of any approval process and allowing teachers to use any book in their “classroom libraries” shows Martin and her group’s hypocrisy when complaining about the lack of a review process. They are actively going around the loose policy that does exist.
Parents calling for standards and transparent policy and process are not calls for the banning of books. They are not angry and bigoted parents. They are reasonable positions by reasonable people who understand the complexity of the situation and want to find real solutions.
Why is this not a conversation that the district and its leadership are willing to have?
Citizens at the Meeting?
The MEA and the ALA have their own agendas and they are not what is best for students or teachers. These organizations are looking to push their agendas using “concerned citizens.” Their first organized attempt at this with Rochester Community Schools was at the April 26th Board of Education meeting when Martin, Sommer, & Victoria Phelps read what amounts to propaganda that MEA would print as the first part of their “Freedom to Read” series.
The next step for the MEA and Martin is to form a 501(c)4 in the name of Free to Read Rochester to accept donations and get involved in “some of that political stuff.”
One last quote from a colleague of Martin, “If she cared about her students when she was a teacher as much as she suddenly cares about books she could have made a difference in more lives.”
Outlier
All teachers are not equal as this is true for all professions. Martin is not an accurate representation of most teachers. Most go into the profession for the right reasons and do the job the right way. The problem is the good teachers and administrators are allowing the Martins of their industry to destroy the work they love.
The public school system is at a tipping point and what happens in the next few months will have an impact that is felt for generations. Common sense adults need to come together and fix the problems that face the public school system. As a community we need to create an environment of mutual respect and accountability between parents and educators.
Another solid piece of garbage reporting starting with random quotes that can’t be tied back to who said them. It’s also cute how you tag everyone on Facebook to try to get more attention. Just accept you are just using this as a platform for grinding axes and don’t have a real strategy.
The quotes are anonymous out of fear of retaliation, which many community members have expressed having as well. I think it says more about you that your comment is made anonymously.
Yes, the point of tagging people or organizations on social media is to draw their attention; unsure why that would be a surprise to anyone.
You are entitled to your opinion on my motives and strategies, just don’t be too offended when I disregard them.
So you’re commenting as an anonymous person and complaining that the writer is quoting anonymous citizens. The irony.
I think the writer’s strategy is to expose what is going on in our community. It must be working, since you took the time to comment. 🙂
Another fine piece of quality reporting starting with random quotes that can’t be tied back to who said them in order to protect them from retaliation by the district. It’s also good how you tag everyone on Facebook to try to hold everyone accountable. Just accept you are just using this as a platform for providing transparency to parents and that the district lack of strategy is the true concern. (Revised for clarity) #Stalker
Funny how anonymous sources are totally legit from MSM peddling lies the last several years, but keeping our Educators’ and Parents’ anonymity for their reasonable fear of retribution is somehow substandard.
Job well done to the citizens that organized this information. I’ve seen this lady defend porn. She’s disgusting.