Pub. 1 2011-2012 Issue 1

14 Non-union in Utah E very school year is a chance to start anew; and this fall we should take the opportunity to renew our commitment to our state’s charter school educators with the support they need to meet today’s challenges. As a former teacher stepping out of the classroom for the first time, I am thrilled to be part of a new teacher movement that I know will resonate with Utah’s charter school educators. After years of frustration with the teacher union and a search for alternatives, I was thrilled to learn that there is a growing move- ment amongst educators toward a new, professional approach. The Association of American Educators (AAE) nationally and now here in Utah, is leading the way by providing teachers with a choice regarding their professional organization. A partner with the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools and an avid supporter of charter schools, AAE is a non-union professional association that focuses on elevating the profession of teaching and offering professional benefits at a reasonable cost. As avid proponents of the charter school philosophy of innova- tion and flexibility, AAE is the perfect option for charter school educators searching for needed benefits from a professional as- sociation. AAE provides personal educator liability insurance that affords peace of mind to teachers to the tune of $2,000,000, as well as coverage of legal fees for a host of situations that a teacher might encounter. In addition to the critically-needed liability insurance and legal protection, AAE provides professional development opportuni- ties, supplemental insurance plans, communications resources, and a voice on education issues through membership surveys. With AAE, educators are protected and empowered, all without the red tape of collective bargaining or stifling union contracts. Further, AAE does not engage in partisan politics and does not spendmoney on political candidates, endorsements, or issues that the members might not agree with. This leads to more affordable dues, only $15 a month. The simple dollars and cents often leave teachers unprotected. AAE offers an affordable, non-partisan alternative. Too many teachers join the unions just for liability insurance in the classroom at the expense of their values or political leanings. AAE is the perfect alternative for any informed educator who is conscious of his or her finances. The fact is we face r ea l prob l ems with our educa- tion system and teachers deserve to be treated as individual pro- fessionals with ideas and experience that can be brought to the policy table. To create and implement meaningful and common sense education reform, the true voices of Utah teachers need to be heard. We need to empower teachers with the tools they need to succeed and give them the facts about where their money is going. From there they can make the choice for themselves about how to be represented. It is not only important for today’s teachers but the future of our workforce. A survey released in mid-August by Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup indicates that Americans overwhelmingly support teachers but not teachers unions. This clearly illustrates the fundamental disconnect between teachers and labor unions, particularly in our state. Teachers are not blue-collar laborers or political activists; they are academic professionals like lawyers, scien- tists and engineers. Industrial-style union representation and partisan politics do not advance the respect that educators deserve in Utah, or nationwide. We often hear about the necessary reforms needed in Utah’s classrooms, but what we do not hear is that we need to over- haul the way our teacher workforce is represented and orga- nized. I believe AAE is the change we need. That is why I left the classroom, to inform Utah teachers about their non-union option and to elevate a movement that I know will be success- ful in providing Utah educators with the respect, recognition, and representation that they want and deserve. Charity Smith is a former classroom teacher and current Membership Director for the Association of American Educators, the fastest growing non-union teacher association in Utah. She resides in Bountiful with her husband and three children. By Charity Smith, Utah Membership Director | AAE CHOICE Association of American Educators Offers