NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin Says Farewell

[froochie123]

The President of the NEA makes almost DOUBLE what the President of the United States makes.  Is there really anything else to discuss?

[piestrio]

Thank you Bob Chanin for fighting for teachers and schools. Remember: our working environment is your children's learning environment.

[wsoxman]

Funny how the Democrats love the Union Vote, but want to be selective. Unions are nothing but Socialized work force that promote mediocrity.

.

[rw5791]

any organisation that engages in fraud should not recieve monetary assistance from hard working american taxpayers.That goes for the NEA and Acorn.

[chvala46]

Thankfully our state doesn't force NEA membership. I was sucked into it for 6 years and I finally stood up for myself and didn't join, and after watching this I couldn't be any happier to not be a part of this joke!

[srussellhusky]

this helped confirm why I dropped my membership in NEA. They are almost as liberal as ACLU. They care more for teachers than students. They have lost their vision as to why they exist. Hopefully they will disappear.

[hawk100375]

I fell srry for all you teachers out there b/c the union andinvestment companies like ing are ripping off your retirement funds.

[jletof]

Thank you, Bob Chanin, for your years of dedication to our organization. As you review the body of your work in this speech, you remind us of the history of NEA and remind us of how our work as a union supports our work as teachers.

[sloppyjoes7]

That's right. The union supports teachers. Not schools. Not children. Teachers.

As he said, teaching children is less important than the right for teachers to engage in collective bargaining.

[Freddyv1970]

This is frightening. Having to pay for this as a condition to work to better kids? I think not.

[mmuchluv]

Bob Chanin, stated it great that we are a teacher's union and never forget it. We must always stand united and protect our rights against those that desire to divide us.

[Reflectios]

xxxx

[hgthomas1]

The parting speech of this man was a shame and disgrace. We have entrusted our children to individuals whose agenda isn't to teach, but to get the highest salary they can while hiding their lack of work ethics behind a union. For shame! No wonder the US school system is in a shambles.

[cbobotahoe]

The just reaffirms my family's decision to remove our children from public schools this year. No more will NEA ever have any influence on my childrens' education!

[jistenna]

Thank God for private schools!

[zwhiteh2o]

"3.2 million who are willing to pay dues?" I wonder how many are out there who were like me....I didn't choose to pay dues....I was told it was a condition of my employment!!!

[TXatheist]

Where does he say right wing bastards as I've heard he was supposed to have said? Anyone....

[goinggrey68]

The NEA is misnamed. It ought to be called the "NASSPST&AOStAFIUC".

(National Association Self-Serving Public School Teachers & Administrators Organized Solely to Advance Foolishness, Idiocy and Universal Conformity)

[jeffyt20]

Appalling. The union has forgotten that its job is to serve teachers and students, not get involved with politics and promoting a liberal agenda. I'm sure the man has done a great deal of good work, but he's forgotten who he really works for.

[kathymcqpa]

Reflecting back on my entrance to the teaching profession in the 1960s, I am grateful to my association for all it has done for the people who work in our schools. Ideology is easy -- history is instructive, especially when you've lived through it.

[64TheDuke64]

What a joke. Unions no longer serve a purpose in this day and age. Try fighting for your own wage.  Keep your liberal agenda out of the classroom and teach. Maybe our nation's test scores will go up

[butchieman]

What in the heck does homosexual marriage have to do with education issues? I am seriously thinking of terminating my membership in the NJEA.

[bryanthompson1]

it directly affects their members, some of whom are gay or lesbian and can't achieve the benefits that married heterosexual couples have. It makes perfect sense that they would want equality for all of their members.

[sopatty4]

I'm disgusted, as a teacher and a union member (it's a closed shop...my choice is limited here), that he would call conservatives "BASTARDS" while in San Diego...how DARE a teacher deride ANY group--we are supposed to be the "tolerant" and the "embracers of diversity"...I'm so unhappy that I'm forced to belong to this group right now. What they're standing for has NOTHING to do with education. It's no longer a group of educators focused on the best for CHILDREN. I'm disgusted and ashamed .

[gregrt15]

Teachers hold the universe together for many young people struggling to grow up.

[chrisrunning7]

Bob Chanin is an amazingly interesting and dedicated man. He will be sorely missed as a great mind and advocate for unions, students, and education professionals. He fought the good fight and we need to continue to fight that fight. I am a teacher who knows that in order to stand up for our students, we need to stand up for ourselves.

[nortoh9]

As a teacher, Bob Chanin has supported the NEA agenda and my rights to have a collective bagaining agreement. May Bob have a restful retirement.

[smedge7]

These people are one of the reasons I made every sacrifice possible, to send my son through private school, even while we were living on only one income. My step daughter came home with text book on environmental science. In that book the author compared a Regan administration official to Joseph Goebbels! It wasn't to hard to make up my mind on how my son was to be educated after that.

[OriginalistMan]

Sheez. Unions are NOT "For the Children" - they benefit only their leaders - politically.

Centralized political power in UNION form brings nothing waste and loss of quality.

Solutions lie in:

a) individual freedom of choice

b) a school voucher system

c) suspension of all "state mandated" this-and-that

d) use-it-or lose it vacation - enuff with huge 'accrued vacation' payouts!

e) an end to tenure!

Marxism.. very alive and well in Amerika!

They'll win if you stay quiet.

[beau5375]

We're here for the KIDS!!! We're here for the KIDS!!! Ooops, wrong video.

[ncheran]

As a delegate in attendance, I felt that the NEA was actually pretty conservative overall in their push for a great public education for all. In Mr. Chanins farewell speech, he tried to put the NEAs philosophical agenda in a historical perspective. He stated that because of the Rights determination to continue with the status quo (inadequate funding, the constant blaming of teachers for educations ills, the privatization of schools, etc.), NEA had to wake up and wage a tougher battle.

[blytheex1]

The reason we get so upset with the NEA is that our children are not being educated and cannot compete.

[treymanak]

I can understand the frustration, but I'm not sure how that falls on NEA's shoulders...not that they're perfect....and as Chanin says, they're really there first and foremost for their members. Most NEA members I know want education and standards to get higher, while including a place for ALL kids. There are a lot of limitations keeping it from happening. While teachers are expensive, I'll suggest that teachers making decent pay with some level of security are not what's holding us back.

[whiskeysauer]

What is such an eye-opener for me was how this guy says that the PRIMARY purpose of the NEA is to advance the TEACHER - NOT the students. The interests of a teacher are not always inline with that of the students. For example, if you have an ineffective teacher, the NEA is going to defend them to the end. This does NOTHING to help our kids. This guy basically called us all a bunch of bastards - the people that pay his and the rest of their salaries! Throw these bums out.! Home school!

[treymanak]

NEA, at least at my local, will defend a teacher to be sure they are given a fair process. They will not protect a poor teacher who is being properly escorted out of the profession. Laws in other states may vary, but here tenure guarantees due process and termination for cause.....it does not raise a high barrier to firing someone, unless the admin is too lazy to do thier job.

[deadradioregime]

The NEA is a sad joke!

[bhturtle]

I never fail to marvel at the right wing crazies who take advantage of anything posted regarding education to spew their outdated pathetic anti-union bile. "Declared communist goals?" Is this 1958? Did thought stop 50 years ago for these people?

[forresta65]

it is great to watch a bunch of pseudo intellectuals pat themselves on hte back for destroying our educational system!

[thehappythinker]

I am thoroughly disgusted at this speech. He embodies and articulates all the reasons public education is dying a grand death.

[anubiscomplex]

End the NEA now. Bunch of party indoctrinating crooks.

[badger5566]

The NEA is proof of yet another failed federal government organization which produces no positive results and drains taxpayer money. This is why education should be left to each individual state. And Bob has the audacity to get defensive and even admits to being a radical left-wing policy maker?

[ncheran]

Ignorance is bliss badger5566! NEA is a 3.2 million person-strong, $350 million per year-strong UNION. Not a federal gov organization.

[JoeLoro]

The Public Education System should be discontinued. Its making children DUMBER.

Check out the 45 DECLARED COMMUNIST GOALS TO TAKE OVER AMERICA!! One of their 45 goals is to GAIN CONTROL OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND "PUT THE PARTY LINE IN TEXTBOOKS"

END THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[justtex1975]

The NEA should be disbanded for their brazen & illegal political activity. Sooner, rather than later.

[Obamamania]

When I look at this video all I can think about is how all these peoples main purpose in life is to extract money from the taxpayers. This union structure is in itself a government within a government whose sole purpose is to hire politicians to figure out a way to manipulate the tax system for their benefit.

[Obamamania]

The more salary the teacher gets the more dues the union structure gets. He even says that this is where they get their power. (at 21:24). This man hates Republicans, Conservatives and Freemarket Capitalism. He never mentioned that the whole purpose of the public education system is to teach children nor does he mention how they have achieved the greatest education system in the world. He cant because it ranks far below that of most western education systems.

[Obamamania]

He will never tell you that quality is the result of competition nothing more nothing less... But why would he, he is a collectivist, Marxist and/or a Socialist. If anything can be pointed to in regards to poverty and crime it is the quality of education. But success in education would mean less power to the Unions like he mentioned in the early 60s where the NEA was much more Conservative and our education system was ranked the best in the world.

[maggie901]

You people here don't seem to understand. You are the problem. You have absolutely no right to push your opinions on our children. Who do you think you are? We pay your salary. Do you know the meaning of humility? Do you understand your role? You clearly don't. Shame on you. You should all be fired. America's children are getting dumber and dumber. They have no ability to think critically. Congrats you succeeded. We're so dumb that we all agree with you. I despise what you have done to America.

[maggie901]

Parents should pay attention. This guy made perfectly clear that power, money, indoctrination, and protection of jobs are what the NEA is all about. This is who is teaching our kids. Meanwhile our children get dumber and dumber and dumber. The rise of the NEA directly parallels the inability of our children to think. They are truely shameless.

[SIDESHOWSTEVIEZ]

Incredible speech, individual...What a loss to NEA. Roz Collier, NEA Delegate, Alhambra, California

[iprazhm]

Until we, as Americans, dismantle the NEA, we will never stop the corrosive indoctrination of our children and theft of our tax dollars, by the liberal left. Until we take back our God given, Constitutional right to decide our children's education, our future as a sovereign nation is at dire risk.

[thewayoutofdarkness]

I'm not sure the comments you refer to or the ignorance. But the issue at hand is whose worldview will be pushed. Education is not just about science, math and english these days, its about an agenda. The true conservative or libertarian will say that the NEA should not have the power to push an agenda, but the public schooling should be about science, math, english, etc.. and not about pushing worldviews "down everyone elses throats" as the neo-liberals used to complain about.

[EduInternational]

Hats off to this man who has been a champion of quality education for all children and union and professional rights for all educators!

Why are we a union? Why do we defend educators' rights? Because it is the right thing to do.

[KnickerbockerNancy]

Great stuff! It's wonderful to hear such a rousing and articulate expression of the fundamental values of the teacher trade union movement. -- A Canadian supporter

[kmcnamara12000]

Bob Chanin tells the Truth

[pleasewakeupfolks]

We need more folks like Bob Chanin to fight for the rights of American workers. Thanks, Bob!

[26Magnum]

If it hadn't been for Bob Channing, there would be no free public education. He spoke truth, but yet we name callers who know nothing of education and simply repeat hearsay. He has fought for civil rights for all regardless or race, nationality, or religion when he could have made tons of money.Those who are anti-public education, stop bashing. Listen to those who really work with kids instead of those who are ignorant. Bob knew what needed to be done to help kids. Listen to his words!

[Isaiah122]

I perfect video for ALL Christian's to watch.......Prior to removing their children from the public school's that these, foul mouth, homosexual agenda, socialist agenda, secular humanist, evolutionist, power hungry, egotistical, deceivers, reside at.

ALL CHRISTIAN'S MUST REMOVE THEIR CHILDREN, MONEY & SUPPORT FROM THE SATANIC DRIVEN GROUPS AND PEOPLE LIKE THESE. WAKE UP!

[robinm75]

I LOVE Bob!

[pete129]

I agree Curious! I would like to see a voucher system or do away with public education. Let us use those tax dollars for some real education and not these indoctrination camps.

[bwawsc123]

And now the truth comes out. Do away with public education, so only the wealthy can educate their kids. You know vouchers only defray the cost of private school for those who can afford to pay the rest of the cost. Poor folks can't take advantage of them - just the well-off.

[kleighjs]

We can only hope and pray that someone as intelligent and passionate as Bob Chanin follows in his footsteps. All that he has done to defend public education in this great country is admirable and as a parent, teacher and proud NEA member I thank him for his many years of tireless service.

[rjaackpass]

Bob is an impressive man, who rarely cracks a smile. This was a very different view of him. After 40 years, he was able to share his personal views. He has spent his years in NEA quoting law and legislation, with absolutely no bias! He is a brilliant man, and NEA will sorely miss him in his capacity as Legal Counsel. Apparently, some educators have forgotten that no matter where you live, everything we do in our classrooms is legislated, and therefore we MUST be politically involved.

[sernam116]

I guess trying to promote yourself as a liberal moonbat organization rather than as a teaching oriented organization is because so many of these "educators" are " bad at math" lol

[chbrunette2005]

Bob Chanin dedicated his career to helping protect teachers and public education from those who would do us (teachers AND students) harm. I wish him well in retirement and I want the NEA to continue it's great work. Those who are anti-union haven't seen some of the deplorable conditions in schools that I've seen--easy for them to criticize that which they do not know.

[CuriousMind0]

This may be the best example of why people need to pull their kids out of public school, pressure congress for congress, and ultimately doing away with the "public" education system. It has become nothing more than one more politcal tool. The truth is, most of these people know, that if they had to compete in the free markety, there lack of meaninfgul skillsets would quickly be exposed.

[StgCoach1]

Most teachers I know could compete in the free "markety" with anyone, but choose to teach because they love it and they love children. There are critics on both the right and the left who dislike things about public education, but the ideal of a quality free public education for every child is more important than those criticisms.

[CuriousMind0]

Represent your members, huh? So every member of the NEA is pro abortion. Every member is pro afirmative action. No, I don't think so. Face it, this organization should be renamed the Nation Liberal Education Association. There is no place for the conservative, or the libertarian. It looks as if it's become what so many of these unions have become -- a bunch of drones, to be manipulated for political purpose.

[mrmollet]

Thank you Bob for defending public education!

[WaskiSquirrel]

The attitudes shown in this video illustrate exactly why I dropped out of the NEA even though I'm still a public school teacher. I'm fortunate to live in a right to work state where I can't be FORCED into the union as a condition of employment.

[Zoomerange]

No wonder American students are not up to par idiots like this, destroyed the American education system with there, commie, liberal views!

Pull your kids out, and Home School them!

[TheEdyuc8r]

Bob, you are the best! This speech speaks the truth...we (all teachers) owe you sooooo much! A true advocate for education!

[emewood]

Sort of ironic, a foul-mouthed lawyer at the helm of the nea. Maybe now they will find someone more articulate. This guy is another great reason for parents to take responsibility and homeschool their children.

[SARobison88]

Tell me again what the initials NEA stand for?

[SARobison88]

When one uses profanity it is because either the defense they provide for their position is lacking and/or the opposing side is more honorable, virtuous and respectable - traits the profane person cannot claim for themselves. Their profanity undermines their position and exposes them as one who cannot rely on their intelligence to support their argument.

[unc68]

Wow, you articulated the very thing I have been saying for a long time. The main thing I find here is that at least he admits they have a leftist social agenda.

[railroadvideo]

22:08 Willing to pay dues? That is not at all the way it works. Teachers in this state are forced to pay NEA dues. Given a choice, I would opt out of the NEA. Unfortunately, if I want to keep my job, I have to fork over the dues.

[unc68]

I know one teacher who left NEA because they would not defend her because her troubles with the school administrator, while valid, were not supportive of the unions ideals.

[adungan1976]

Which state do you teach in? In CA, it's just one signature and you're opted out indefinitely.

[lds1231]

If the NEA is so wonderful, why must they force people to join?

[sopatty4]

AMEN...I am FORCED to belong...however, I belong to the Christian Educators Union as well, in order to further decent values in the midst of what I battle in my forced union...

[pvbaelen]

Outstanding speech. Unequivocally exposes the Leftist agenda of the NEA and leave no doubt that any sane person would remove their children from public schools immediately.

Ha, he says the attacks come from their success. How blind can someone be? The public schools are an abject failure.

[TeeneyFella]

Thank you Bob. You not only defend educators and public education from the wingnuts, you play a very tough offense. The continuing failure of a political right to tax Americans to pay for their private schools is a sign of your success. Most importantly, your work through NEA has helped teachers make a difference AND make a living.

[OoLaLaFrenchGirl]

Disturbing.

[olivjoose]

Why?

[KCUAC]

this is disgusting.........

[yngar10]

22:00 into this, Bob states the NEA's real power comes from the hundreds of millions of dollars 'voluntarily given' each year by NEA members. Every contributor needs to see this, especially from 15:00 to the end, and watch what gets the loudest cheers. What about conservative members? Is the NEA inclusive enough for them?

[olivjoose]

As a conservative member, let me respond by saying that it is indeed "willingly" that I give my dues, and that all members have the option of not paying dues. In that case they would still work under the negotiated contract, they would just not have representation. I would simply ask, are you a conservative member who feels the NEA is not working for? Why not? If not, I think you just sit a little more to the right than i do...and you don't have a real knowledge of anything we do.

[yngar10]

No, many members MUST pay dues. I have taught over 30 years in a state that requires teachers to belong to a bargaining unit, and we must pay dues. As a Fair Share member, my state association returns about 25% of my $850 in dues each year. This is the 'non-chargeable' portion, that which has nothing to do with contract negotiation and maintenance. It is not PAC money. It's used for promoting abortion, domestic partnership/gay rights, evolution, etc. All members should examine these budgets.

[siliconjim]

Your open-mindedness amazes me! Has someone ever denied you, your rights? Only then will you experience narrow-mindedness. Before you support abortion (woman's rights), or gay rights - individual's right, or evolution - which is irrefutable; think back to the history of this country. Without a union's support, many rights would not be part of today's rights. Go back and read some more and then make up your own mind. Don't let others make up your mind.

[yngar10]

So if I took a left-wing view, I would be thinking for myself. You make my point. If the NEA were truly liberal, it would not be promoting these subjects that are not shared by many dues-payers. That's all; I have no problem with anyone holding views different from mine. I have a problem with an organization which has secured through legislation (in my state, anyway) the ability to extract money from members and use it for purposes that many disagree with. Poles reversed, this would be scandal.

[sopatty4]

We're a closed shop, so I have to pay dues whether I believe or not. I'm Republican, and am appalled at some of the political stances the union takes which have NOTHING to do with education of children. The union is going beyond their scope now, and I don't like how they're spending MY hard-earned money.

[sallyjoe465]

Gee, this guy is so right.

Check out the comments of the right wing psychos on Free Republic to see what sane educators are up against.

[zandrzej]

What a moronic speech. NEA is a complete failure. Never!!! I would send my children to their schools.

[tylerdog111]

Thanks NEA for creating an all time high in high school graduate illiteracy. Yes maybe more are graduating but they are stupider than ever.

[mrsbobc]

Disgusting! And our children are in their hands each day! No wonder many colleges are now looking for HOME SCHOOLED kids!

[nagmagnet]

No, they are NOT. Colleges HATE having to waste time and resources teaching the basics of science, civics, debate, and critical/rational thought to those who have been homeschooled. Unless you are talking about Liberty "University" and their ilk.

[yngar10]

A recruiter from a University of Wisconsin campus told me he is happy to recruit all the homeschooled students he can find. He's looking for well-prepared students, and is not concerned about what system was used to prepare them.

[donmccullen]

Hey they might be liberal but they want to look good too.

[PatriotsInExile]

Oh, you mean they have to retrain them to think like THEM. Home schooled children are not indoctrineated in to thinking America sucks and that government is the answer. So, it takes a while longer to retrain their thinking. Make sure you clearly state your point. I am sure the NEA is in full support of the UN Charter for Children's Rights, too. What a freaking joke. Besides, home schoolers pay taxes for public ed salaries, so why complain. You are getting paid. Even w/o the student n ur class

[Eaglesfandan49]

I've only been to five RAs but WOW YOU RULE BOB. Your shoes will probably never be filled, but I hope Dennis and every president from here on out has you in their rolodex. You will be missed. :(

[Micheleeroo]

Clearly the NEA is not about teachers, but rather about pushing a radical leftwing agenda. Since this organization became leftwing, education quality and drop-out rates have gone up.

[donmccullen]

You mean education quallity has gone DOWN.

[hucklebearer53]

This man's attitude and the NEA's attitude are the very reason we do not want them teaching our children.

[treymanak]

Any chance you can be a tad more specific???

[NovusDrummer]

Real good. You people teach kids and the best way you can choose to express yourselves is profanity. Real good example.

[treymanak]

Bob was speaking in a closed session to a group of adults, and he did use a mild bit of profanity, but it's hardly a profane speech.

[JohnCallafree]

Good luck guys and keep up the good fight. Don't let the American Taliban from WorldnetDaily give ya grief.

[railroadvideo]

22:08 Seriously? I don't have a choice, I am forced to pay the dues. My payment to the NEA is not an endorsement of their work it is a theft of mine..

[remembersodom]

Yes indeed, a stirring message. If this doesn't "stir" conservative and Christian parents to pull their children out of the Godless public school system, I don't know what will! Maybe the slap on the face from this reprobate will be a motivating factor?

[treymanak]

What part upsets you?

[cronocoffin]

25 minutes of ignorant liberal garbage.

[bwawsc123]

It's sad to see the level of right wing ignorance expressed here. Every word Chanin says is true - and the best the critics can come up with is to complain about "commies" and "profanity". What a load of bull.

[treymanak]

So, is it the part about defending workers rights that bothers you? Negotiating a contract, which, you know, isn't really communist but more capitalist? Can you pick something specific?