Need Signatures: Support Rights of Teachers

Here is the new text: Open to assistance in improving. Looking for CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.

Teachers are currently suffering due to conditions that make their jobs nearly impossible. Texas teachers are protected under the Texas Education Code, and as citizens, should be entitled to protections under the Texas Penal Code, and the United States Constitution; however, there are case examples of teachers berated and even abused in their capacity as educators with little to no intervention and support from administrative staff and no support from the administrative and law enforcement agencies established and designed to protect their safety and their rights as citizens.
The legislature focuses on numbers and reports in education with little to no knowledge of real-world occurrences. Pushing schools to increase graduation numbers and decrease punishments without implementing plans or alternatives leaves teachers with classrooms that are doomed to fail.
I am initiating this petition because I, personally, had my life threatened by a student, and the threat was followed up by continued harassing and threatening behaviors, and my school administration failed to act due to pressure from the student's parent. Not only did my administration fail to act, but in an effort to appease the parent and maintain ranking, the administration "allowed" me to leave campus for my safety while allowing a student who had not earned the right to graduate, to not only bypass any consequences for his criminal behavior, but walk at graduation with his peers. I was essentially sacrificed in an effort to "keep the peace" with a violent student and parent despite my dedication and exemplary record as an educator. I found I had no avenue for support. Teachers are entitled to due process under the law. All of these actions against me were in violation of the Texas Penal Codes 1.07, 22.07, 36.05, 36.06, 37.09, 38.16, 39.02, 39.03, Texas Education Codes 37.001, 37.006, 37.008, and my civil rights under state law and in violation of protections to which I am entitled under the United States Constitution.
When there is no discipline in a school environment coupled with a "pass students so they can graduate" mentality, students are not expected to participate in the education process. This scenario creates a feeling of entitlement amongst students and parents thereby making the teacher responsible for the students' grades rather than the student. The students cannot and will not learn in this environment.
While classroom management is important, even Harry Wong himself could not manage a classroom if there was no discipline as a back-up for students who refuse to follow the policies and procedures of a classroom. Additionally, if students believe they will graduate regardless of whether or not they work, then there is no extrinsic motivation to participate in their education. This results in pressure on teachers to pass students unethically, and send students out into the world of higher education and the workforce completely unprepared.
The legislature cannot continue to try to enforce unreasonable constraints and expectations on schools and expect quality education. Administrative staff should be there to support and facilitate the educator in making sure the students are learning and being successful. Teachers are educated, trained professionals. Most administrators have spent very little time in a classroom, and most legislators have spent little to no time in a classroom. Until teachers begin to be heard and respected, education in Texas will continue to be a poor example of what our students can truly achieve.
It is time for change:
1. Teachers must have control and autonomy in the classroom based on their training and experience as professional educators. Administration should be there to protect and secure the integrity of the educational environment so that educators can educate. This should be a top priority.
2. When questions about what is best for students across the state arise, educators should be considered. Teacher can attest to the behavior, skills, and abilities of each individual student in relation to lessons, testing, and curriculum building at the campus and state level.
3. Teachers cannot be silenced as professionals or people. Administrations cannot protect students' 1st amendment rights and deny teachers theirs. It is unconstitutional for districts to silence teachers in any form, and doing so should have consequences. This is unethical, illegal, and must be remedied.
4. Disciplinary measures in schools must be enforced. Administrators must be held accountable for failure to implement disciplinary consequences in accordance with statutes and policy when appropriate and teacher input must have weight in this decision.
5. Passing students who do not work is unethical and contrary to the benefit of education. Pressuring teachers to participate in unethical practices such as grade changing and ignoring harmful behaviors to meet the state's standards is illegal, and administrations should be held accountable for practices that compromise academic integrity.
6. When administrations cover up crimes against educators and students, they become complicit in the crimes and should be held accountable. In order to protect teachers and students, consequences must be put in place for districts who violate the Texas Education Code. Legal standards are in place and should be enforced.
7. Teachers who are silenced by bureaucratic processes and the administrations who manipulate the system must be given an avenue for relief. There must be protections in place to guard against abusing them. A committee needs to be established to secure the safety and security of all teachers across the state. Law enforcement, administrations, and administrative agencies must be aligned and enforce the applicable laws and standards, so that teachers and students are not barred from seeking relief due to alternating definitions and interpretations within different branches of the systems.
Teachers can no longer be the scapegoat for the failure of education in this state when teachers are dedicating themselves to the success of their students despite the obstacles and hurdles they face.