| |
|
|
|
| GAE member walks away down-trodden because of the big MACE picket at Bethune MS! |
|
MACE Opinion.
Advocacy Affirmed
MACE started in the Fall of 1995, and within its first week of soliciting members, it had already
enrolled two former presidents of GAE locals (Fulton and Cobb), a former president of the Atlanta
Federation of Teachers (AFT), and other leaders of other educational organizations. These teachers joined MACE
because they knew that MACE was totally committed to the protection and empowerment of classroom educators.
The message of MACE resonates with Georgia’s teachers. The good news of MACE continues to spread throughout
Georgia, and MACE now represents teachers in over forty school systems in Georgia.
MACE
does not allow administrators to join. Why should MACE? Administrators have their own organizations (like
GAEL, GSSA, GAESP, etc.); however, administrators continue to flood the membership ranks of GAE
and PAGE. This is one of the main reasons that GAE and PAGE cannot speak forthrightly for classroom
educators. Sometimes, to advocate for teachers, you have to be critical of the misconduct of administrators. Sometimes,
you even have to call names. But what happens at GAE and PAGE when there is a conflict between a teacher and
a principal and both are members of the same organization? You know! It’s a classic case of conflict-of-interest.
Furthermore, the assistant superintendent and/or the superintendent may also be a member of that organization. What will
GAE or PAGE do? Nothing, probably. And, that’s what often happens – nothing. The teacher’s
interests do not get served. Frustration and a sense of impotence set in. Not so at MACE! MACE knows that the
administrator is not a member of MACE. MACE knows that there’s no conflict. MACE
knows whom we serve and for whom MACE advocates; therefore, keep spreading the good news that there is
a union for teachers, a union which does not apologize in advocating for teachers. Keep encouraging other teachers to join
the growing union that packs a powerful punch. When you say “MACE,” administrators listen.
|
| Tony Guisasola |
Tony Guisasola (Dawson County Teacher):
“When I taught in Gilmer County,
I would not have won my grievance if it had not been forMACE. I had been the system representative
of PAGE for sixteen years and PAGE did nothing for me. Had it not been for MACE,
I may have been out of a job!”
| |
|
|
|
| Jocelyn Johnson |
Jocelyn Johnson (Atlanta City Teacher):
“I’d be a member of MACE if it costs $50.00 per month
because of the excellent service! Representation is always available 24 hours, 7 days a week.”
|
|
|
|
| Vera Culpepper |
|
| Audry Arrington |
Audrey Arrington (Atlanta City Teacher):
“Instead of dialing 911, I dial M-A-C-E. MACE
is the best $35.00 I spend each month. Don’t wait too late to join!”
Vera Culpepper (Cobb County Teacher):
“Joining MACE has kept me from losing any more of my hair
and from drinking Pepto-Bismol. Now, I can go home after teaching all day and relax. If you are not a member of
MACE now, you NEED to join immediately!”
|
|
| Gunny Yawn |
Gunny Yawn (DeKalb County Teacher): “Why
spend money for alleged teacher unions who only protect administrators? With MACE, you can
call upon the Lion and let the Pride fight your battles – and win! Everyone knows that Lions enjoy large families,
so join MACE and become part of the Pride!”
Tricia Weeks (DeKalb County Teacher):
“In analyzing the difference that MACE membership has made
to me as a veteran teacher of seventeen years with DeKalb County Schools, I want to emphasize MACE’s giving me
a sense of personal empowerment in my daily interaction with students, parents and administrators. Until I joined MACE,
I frequently experienced the vulnerability of seeking fair treatment from unpredictable decision-makers who demanded my loyalty
and trust for their support or who threatened retribution for any views I might have held which differed from theirs.
“Membership in MACE virtually eliminates feelings of oppression
from administrative heavy-handedness and misconstrued realities. I have experienced the support of an excellent legal
team who knows my rights in any circumstance and are willing to take issues of justice to the fullest extent of the law.
I have observed MACE in confrontations in which reluctant officials have been forced to abide by the codes, rules and
laws which they have established and agreed to uphold. I have watched the subjective realities of administrators shatter
under questioning in which they have been required to explain their reasoning processes.
“Most of all, MACE has allowed me the privilege to practice
in my profession the very skills and ideals which I daily encourage my students to develop. As a MACE member,
I am a teacher who can think, ask, evaluate, analyze, probe and reason. Because of MACE, when my opinions are
based on the truth and the law, I am empowered.”
|
| Rep. Darryl Jordan |
Rep. Darryl Jordan (Henry County Teacher):
“I think that it is imperative that we as classroom teachers have
some organization that we can say is ours, and MACE is truly just a teacher’s advocate. Recently, a teacher
had unfounded allegations made against her and through MACE’s intervention, she remains on staff. In my
opinion, MACE brought about justice just when the situation looked extremely bleak.”
|
| Andrew Manning |
Andrew Manning (Atlanta City Teacher):
“To be fair, not all administrators are ogres. However,
too many administrators consider their position to be their personal petty fiefdom, and teachers are considered pawns to be
squashed just to show that they are powerful. It’s no longer enough for teachers to be the ‘kind-hearted
infantry,’ soldiering on despite all that the politicians and educrats throw at us, quietly cursing our fate in the
teachers’ lounge. We must stand up for ourselves, for we teachers are the one group in education, who, when we
stand up for ourselves, really are in a position to do something ‘for the children.’ If you’re not
the type to make your voice heard (and let’s face it, many teachers don’t like to be perceived as ‘rocking
the boat’), then let MACE be that voice for you. When you support MACE, you support teachers everywhere;
and when you join MACE, believe me, MACE will support you. You don’t have to worry about MACE
selling you out for a ‘prestige car tag.’ When the chips are down, brandishing a car tag isn’t going
to save you; you need a MACE!”
Mary Ann Murphy (Fulton County
Teacher):
“I pray this quick note finds you well. I am doing just fine in my new assignment.
“I just want to say a deep, sincere thank you for all you and the wonderful attorney did on my behalf in saving my job. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me.
“May God continue
to bless you in a mighty way.
“I cannot imagine
what I would have done without your help and encouragement.”
|
| Doris Walker |
Doris Walker (Clayton County Teacher):
“MACE
never left my side. MACE was the only group that consistently supported
me and my family during this horrendous ordeal. I couldn’t have asked for
a better attorney.”
Mary Mallory-Gober (Atlanta City
Teacher):
“I wish
MACE has been around in 1974 when I first started teaching in Atlanta. I
regret the dues I paid to AAE and AFT. Years passed before I found
out that both AAE and AFT were sleeping with the enemy (the administration).
As soon as I found out about MACE, I joined.
“Five
years ago the CANCER of Mental Abuse from a vindictive principal, some irresponsible parents, and their disruptive, disrespectful
children was eating away at me and the job I love – teaching. John Trotter
and the MACE TROOP came to my rescue. MACE lit a fire under that
principal and brought her more attention than she could handle. Slowly, her dictatorship
fell and she retired.
“I left
Atlanta and went to Henry County. The setting was different but, there were still
unruly, spoiled students and irresponsible parents. Some parents even seemed
more concerned about my pigmentation than my qualifications. I changed school
systems but, the ‘Blame the Teacher Cancer’ was here too. The years
of mental and physical abuse have caused me to have numerous disabling ailments and have forced me to take early retirement. I will continue to pay my MACE dues because MACE tells it like it is! It is so comforting to know that MACE supports teachers and is committed to
exposing the injustices we face. Teachers, you cannot afford to teach without
MACE. If you sign a teaching contact, you’d better fill out a MACE
application.”
Dr. Sherri Hintz (Douglas County Teacher):
“I would like to thank you for your support, guidance, and professional
expertise in dealing with my work problem. The MACE organization is by far the most reliable and professional organization
for classroom teachers. Your strong character and finesse secured a positive result in my case.
“I was a member for 24 years of GAE and they could not
even give me the time of day, much less give me sound and reliable advise in my case. Your care and concern to see my problem
to a successful conclusion was a true example of a well-organized association. MACE is truly an organization for the
working teacher.
“I investigated my personnel file today and the report has been
removed. The only papers in my file are the 24 years of positive evaluations
and praises that have accumulated over the years.I appreciate all the time and effort on your part to rectify my situation.”
Janice Scott (Atlanta City Teacher)
“I have
found a Teachers Union, in my opinion, with ‘True Moral Convictions.’ When
I was a college student a decade ago, I often reflected on a statement made by a college professor in reference to teacher
union membership and the value of joining it. The statement did not make any
sense then. However, at the present time, I know the importance of union membership
and good representation.
“The
Metro Association of Classroom Educators, better known as MACE, is a union which believes in teachers. They will take the risk to support them in any way needed. MACE has shown great leadership, practices fundamental fairness, and is consistent. When these things were put into action before my eyesight, it allowed me to gain not only respect for the
organization, but also manifested confidence and trust. MACE is definitely
a union with moral convictions which represents Classroom Educators.
“I have
experienced membership with other unions. However, I found MACE to be
the most effective for me. This union has shown great representation and speaks
‘true words.’
“I have
found MACE to be a union of true moral convictions for all Classroom Educators and one with a strong backbone!”
|
|
|
