I’ve often wondered why the UFT can’t run similarly substantive ads. Why not take all these hot-shot Fellows and career changers (I’m not being sarcastic – I’ve seen new teachers with very impressive credentials) and have them tell how unexpectedly tough their experience in the public school system has been. It would be a great counterweight to the “get tough on teachers” rhetoric the newspapers always push during contract negotiations. We could actually inform the public about what our jobs are like and, who knows, maybe even make them to want to IMPROVE our working conditions.

Instead, we run those expensive, fluffy, no-substance campaigns like “Have you listened to a teacher today?” What kind of crap is that? We have the money, let’s tell our stories, just like the AFL-CIO is doing.