'CEA does not support bad teachers'

The Coeur d’Alene Education Association is association of professional educators and education support professionals who work together to ensure a strong educational environment for all the students in the area. Recent reports have accused the CEA of defending teachers who have a checkered past, as well as those who are not going to provide the best situation for students in the classroom. This is not true.

The CEA defends a fair disciplinary process for all of its members. In order for a society to function properly, each accused person must receive a fair opportunity to defend themselves against the accusers, and not be tried by the public with little information at hand. The process of investigation needs to be given time and a chance for all information to come forward. If at that time it is found the accused is not going to provide a proper learning environment in the classroom, or worse, that teacher or educational support member needs to go.

The CEA does not support “bad teachers,” but instead supports that the process is followed so that a good teacher is not removed from the classroom. No one, including union members, wants to be working next to a “bad teacher.” No one, even union members, want “bad teachers” anywhere in the education system. The CEA does not support poor decisions or unprofessional practice. The CEA works hard to ensure a FAIR PROCESS and the

opportunity for improvement for every employee member.

It is important to note that professionals, some of whom are union members, take action on their own. This does NOT mean that the CEA encourages or organizes their actions. The CEA often works with the District administration to improve the quality of a teacher as well as at times work with administrators to counsel an individual out of the profession that is not a good fit for the classroom. Again, the CEA does not want “bad teachers” in the classroom.

The CEA spends countless hours working with educators, administrators, and the school board for the best interest of students, educators, and the community as a whole. The CEA wants and works towards a strong public education system that will benefit ALL students with the goal that each student will be ready to go to college and/or a career that will make them a productive member of society.

Bad things happen in every job and in every industry. The difference with education is twofold: 1. Professional educators are working with minors and 2. Educators are always subject to public scrutiny, by students and/or their parents while most other jobs are not. This in no way means educators should not be held to a high standard, they should be and need to be. They also need to have a fair opportunity to defend themselves from inaccurate or unfair criticism.

The CEA has no role in the District’s hiring process. Union members often serve on interview committees but they are there representing their school, grade level or department, not a union representative. The education profession is about people. People can be unpredictable, and because of that no matter how strict and rigorous background screenings are, things are going to happen.

The CEA only wants the best for the schools, for the students, and the community. The CEA is committed to ensuring a fair process is granted to each member whenever the need arises. The CEA is also committed to ensuring that competent professionals serve all students and to the value and efficacy of public education for all students.

Derek Kohles, CEA president

Bruce Twitchell, CEA vice-president

Editor’s note: The Coeur d’Alene Education Association is the local chapter of the state teachers union, the Idaho Education Assocation.