Day 2 of Arbitration: I have a voice

I have to get ready in a few minutes for arbitration "Day 2".  There is a strange irony at work. I spent seven years sharing with teachers the message, "You have a voice." I believe that public education will move forward as it should when that message is grasped. Even the best teachers I  know often lack the courage to speak up. Looking at my situation, I might say I understand why, but I long for more to come forth with their convictions about what should happen in the classroom. They know. They are there.

Yesterday, our teacher's union, which would not support me moving forward with my arbitration, filed a grievance against the district saying they have no right to be in arbitration with me. I filed the arbitration, not the district. The union declares they are the gatekeepers. The law says I can move forward on my own, so I did. I have little time, and this is not my best work, but I hope I am not the only one here who sees how wrong this is. The district shut me down and put me away for speaking up, and now the union is trying to shut down my arbitration.

What horrible message did I put out to start this battle?  I wrote these words in an email, "Students deserve "real world" writing across the curriculum."

In a phrase becoming passe but one that seems appropriate...my bad.

O  Lord my God, in you I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers,
and deliver me.

I will give thanks to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
Psalms 7: 1,17

Find joy in this day. I request your prayers for wisdom.
Peace.
Love, Linda