Lynn City Councilor-at-large Brian LaPierre doesn’t think teachers should be in schools. He told union teachers on social media that in-person, on-site instruction is an “ill-fated proposition.” He even said teachers shouldn’t enter schools to attend professional development before the school year starts on Sept. 16.
LaPierre’s position isn’t a surprise: He is the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Massachusetts director of organization. But guess what, Councilor? Americans all across the country have to show up to their workplaces in the face of coronavirus and do their jobs.
As you well know, essential workers have been on the job in workplaces since the pandemic struck in March. One way or another, as the economy struggles to rebound, people are returning to work. Teachers aren’t exempt from this responsibility.
The AFT claims on its website its ultimate goal is for teachers to return to the classroom. But it also denounces any efforts “forcing educators into the classroom prematurely.”
It’s worth asking if LaPierre’s role as public official is at odds, even in conflict, with his hard-line union position against getting teachers back in schools. We asked and he said he doesn’t see a conflict between his job representing all Lynn citizens as a councilor and his union-advocacy role.
Even as LaPierre and AFT strive to keep teachers out of classrooms, hard-working custodians, who consider themselves to be teachers’ colleagues, and contractors are busy cleaning schools and sanitizing buildings against coronavirus.
LaPierre’s hard-line position on keeping teachers out of classrooms is an affront to efforts to make schools safe and it is an insult to the team approach to the new school year superintendents are trying to encourage during extraordinarily tough times.
Lynn public schools, like many other districts across the country, are launching the school year remotely with the goal of starting a hybrid remote and in-school classroom schedule, ideally, by Dec. 1.
The Lynn schools’ website invites students and their parents to attend student orientation Sept. 16-22 with one in-person orientation day and four remote.
What kind of example are teachers setting for their students if they won’t go back to the classroom even as students and parents are being invited back for an orientation day?
Instead of insisting they do their job remotely, teachers and their union should be working with school administrators and the people charged with ensuring schools are safe to bring school employees back into schools.
In his social media post to teachers, LaPierre urged them to close ranks and not be a “rebel martyr.” His word: martyr. But teachers are example setters and the best example they can set for their students is to show there is no reason to fear coronavirus if workplaces are property cleaned and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.
That makes sense, right, Councilor?
