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U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige calls the NEA leadership "terrorists"

I'm a grandmother, a citizen, a leader and now a terrorist

by KNEA President Christy Levings
I have been called many things in my life. First I was called daughter, then sister. Later I became wife, then mother, and now grandmother. For thirty years I have been blessed to be called "Teacher."

I am proud of all my titles and I have worked hard to make my family and my profession proud. I take my responsibility to the community in which I teach very seriously, and I want the best for every child and family I serve.

Imagine my surprise when Secretary of Education Rod Paige called the members of my professional organization a "terrorist group." He later amended that to be only NEA leadership, but as President of the Kansas National Education Association I guess that still makes me a terrorist. My husband laughed at the thought of me - a middle-aged elementary teacher - actually scaring anyone, but I suppose that after thirty-two years of marriage maybe he's just used to me.

I would have thought that Secretary Paige, as head of the U.S. Department of Education and a one-time superintendent, would be used to dealing with teachers. He should know that teachers will talk and talk and talk about the needs of their students and their classrooms. Sometimes teachers just won't be quiet!

If Secretary Paige wants to promote federal legislation that changes how each and every classroom in America will operate, then we teachers - the people who do that work - expect to be consulted. If he puts together over a thousand pages of federal rules and regulations with no input from the states and classrooms, then he shouldn't be surprised if teachers have a lot to say about it.

If new legislation and regulations were passed directing dentists to change their office practices or sit for new tests or publish in the newspaper the number of cavities found in their patients, would he be surprised that dentists came a little unglued? Would we call the American Dental Association a "terrorist organization?" Or do we reserve that particular epithet especially for teachers?

The Secretary, in his retraction, tells us he is guilty only of a "poor choice of words" in his quest for an honest discussion. Mr. Secretary, I would love to have an honest discussion. But I think an honest discussion will only happen when the administration stops calling those who disagree "whiners," "obstructionists," and "terrorists."

In the meantime, I will continue to offer suggestions to make this law workable for Kansas kids. I will continue to share the concerns of Kansas educators with parents, community leaders and members of the Kansas Congressional Delegation. If that makes me a terrorist, then I will add it to my list of titles. But the last time I checked, I lived in a nation that was founded on dissent. Too many Americans have died protecting my right to dissent to allow you to silence me by calling debate an un-American activity.

So, thank you, Mr. Paige, for reminding me just how important the title of "citizen" is to me. I stand on my right to dissent for my students, my profession and my community.

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