Teacher of the Year: Why I'm speaking out

Maryann Woods-Murphy, New Jersey's 2010 Teacher of the Year, is appearing in a series of NJEA TV ads taking Gov. Christie to task for cutting education spending. In this message to her colleagues, she explains why she joined the fight to protect public education.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Education
• New
• Jersey
• Christie
• Cuts

[ElaineEC]

Lady, you and your union friends have drained the coffers dry. New Jersey teachers are paid extremely well and their benefits are insane. I *wish* I had all the stuff that you are complaining about!!! Spoiled brats, all of you and clearly you get no sympathy from those of us who've had to pay and pay and pay so you can retire early on a nice fat pension.

[CentRLeft]

lol her feined concern for the children (not her own bloated pay/benefits package) had me rolling on the floor with laughter!!

thanks lady I needed a good laugh!!

you should get some award for your acting!!

[thomasmcquery]

Interesting video.

[nic190]

theachers should pay a small share like all of us do.pay your fair share.thank you.

[trj1370]

Gov Christie gave the teachers and their union every opportunity to stop the cuts. He asked them to forgo a raise in a year when the rest of the country's salaries are going down and to pay a small portion of their health care (94% less than the average American pays).

They refused to sacrifice even these modest portions of their salaries for the good of the children. The only thing they have passion for is their own bottom line.

[nickv41]

Dem Gov. Jerry Brown just cut Calif. K-12 budget by 25% across the board. This is whats heading your way, teacher of the year. I think its time you get in the face of your union leaders instead of getting in our faces. You will not find any sympathy from NJ residents. Christie supports his position with facts while you try to pull on heartstrings. It wont work anymore.

[ebeatworld]

Ugh... I hate to tell you this, lady, but most of the public is on Christie's side. Why? Because like he said, "Unlike the US government, New Jersey can't just print money."

[zeewaker]

Well NJEA, from looking at all the comments on this, don't you think you need to stop your greedy BS?

[bct2000a]

This lady is a total phony. This is the same nonsense that EVERY teachers' union spouts..nothing is ever enough for them. I challenge you to find any private industry where one would only have to pay 1.5% for the level of benefits these school districts offer.

[Skellum82]

@miazagora and if the union really cared about "the children" or even their workers then maybe they would allow their union dues (of $750 per year) to go towards the 1.5% ($750) that the Gov. is asking for. Then the teachers would have ZERO out of pocket cost, because instead of funding the union monster they would be using those dues to pay health care.

[Skellum82]

Look at her eye movements(body language)! She is so insincere. Its all about her greed. How dare her say its all about the children. If it was all about the children then her and her union giants would give up the 750/year in union dues so they could pay the 1.5%(730/yr) for health care. Propaganda piece. She cant really believe that anyone will take this ad seriously. Not anyone with a mind anyway.

[bigzaz121]

Probably teaches a Union class.