Teachers are being encouraged to recruit for the military

[dobegrrrl]

Many of my students went into the military seeking an education and that was the only way they could do it. I teach government at a high minority, low income school and many of my kids have joined. I worry about them every day.

The military here (Norfolk - lots and lots of military) have now started a program for teachers to go to a "mini camp" at Camp Legune. They are encouraging teacher to recruit for them. I say HELL NO. If a student were to ask for my advice about joining now, I would have to say don't it. The recruiters are always asking to come into the government classes, but I do not want them in my room. I would feel responsible if /when something happened to one of them.

[Gman]

1. Stick to your principles

and don't give in. They likely will put pressure on you eventually. Don't do it. You're doing the right thing.

[dobegrrrl]

2. I will!!!

[Walt Starr]

3. Your job is to teach, not to recruit

remind the assholes of that fact!

[Sugarbleus]

4. Say What????!!

You have got to be kidding!! I'm only familiar with Norfolk via a lady friend from there. I understand it has a large Naval(?) installation?

Anyway, what they are asking of the teachers is JUST WRONG.

In my community, way out here on west coast, recruiters are forbidden from coming on school property in most districts! I've actually instructed my teen grandson to let me know if ANY military "pushing" is leveled at his class so I can let them have it.

If a young man/woman "choses" to enter the military, it should happen by way of their own independent decision--not by seductive propaganda.

I'm happy you are sticking to your principles. We let our kids out to go to public school and we want them to be safe and free from unsavory indoctrination. Teachers are the only ones with them all day long. I'm elated we have teachers like you to help us, "keep it safe" for our children. :toast:

[dobegrrrl]

5. Schools are required to give rolls to military now

parents may opt their kids out, but you must be proactive and they do not warn you about it.

[Sugarbleus]

7. All over or just in certain communities?? eom

[dobegrrrl]

8. The entire US

It is not well publicized, probably because they don't want opt outs.

[Sugarbleus]

11. Hmmmm that's odd. I'm making a phone call Monday!!

I live in one of those "green" communities. The city counsel is so anti-republican. They've made this a "Nuclear Free Zone" and "Formally Impeached Bush" ... for all the good it does..but that's why I find it odd that they would not inform the public of this policy you speak of.

Hohohoho, am I going to LOVE ranting with that gdamned County Education Superintendant on Monday!! I hate him anyway.

You know, I asked about the NCLB thing way back; no one mentioned this aspect. Thanks for heads up everyone ...:hi:

[ebayfool]

16. Lots of tidbits in NCLB - should read through it, you'd be surprised ...

what is in there!
Samples & index -

No Child Left Behind Index
http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/index.html

TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS PROGRAM
http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg27.html

constitutionally protected prayer in public schools
http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg112.html#sec9524

ARMED FORCES RECRUITER ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND STUDENT RECRUITING INFORMATION
http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg112.html#sec9528

/snip
(3) SAME ACCESS TO STUDENTS- Each local educational agency receiving assistance under this Act shall provide military recruiters the same access to secondary school students as is provided generally to post secondary educational institutions or to prospective employers of those students.

From what I've been hearing alot of schools bury the 'opt-out' material in the barrage of paperwork they send to parents at beginning of the school year & say it relieves them of any further burden of notification. Problem is, it can be unclear to many parents exactly what the option is & it may slip by unnoticed.

[LeftyMom]

9. All over

Another part of the No Child Left Behind ('cause they're all in Iraq) act.

[OutsourceBush]

6. we are living in Nazi germany

[bloom]

10. people are going to need to be aware of all the recruiting/marketing angle

I'm glad you're sticking to your guns.

(I'm afraid a lot of teachers won't be so dismissive).

[fujiyama]

12. You're doing the right thing

If the students want your honest advice regarding joining the military - that is exactly what you should do, give it to them.

And if military recruiters don't fit your syllabus, then don't include it in it.

[masaka___]

13. "Encourage" is the wrong word.

"Encourage" is the wrong word, because it is not true courage that the agents of the military are trying to instill in the teachers.

However, your intention to resist is truly courageous in my eyes, and I hope your actions "encourage" your colleauges to do the same.

(We have to be careful about the words we use. :)

[MSgtAF]

14. Air Force "educator tours" for over twenty years

I can't speak for the USMC, but the Air Force has been doing this for over 20 years. Why don't you take them up on the offer? This would be an excellent opportunity to let them know your exact feelings. Ask then tough questions and watch them squirm. Then when your students ask for your learned advice on the military your answers will have more credibility since you've "been there, seen that".

[radfringe]

15. one weekend a month -- my A$$

heard on NPR yesterday -- National Guard enlistments are down -- potential "volunteers" have realized that it's a very real probability that one weekend a month etc. is a crock and they could end up in Iraq (or Iran) for an undetermined period of time.

They are waking up to the fact -- BUSH LIED - SOLDIERS DIED! and he just keeps on lying and lying and lying
http://www.cafepress.com/radicalfringe




http://radfringe.tripod.com/

[tanyev]

17. What next?

Children being encouraged to report any suspicious activity of their parents????

[Sara Beverley]

18. Pretty soon they will be sending the teachers off to war since Blacks and

some of the poor have decided that enlisting is a bad idea.