"There's a Pony in There Someplace"

A young father tried very hard to prepare his son for the ‘real world’ by providing challenging experiences. His son was a natural optimist and never learned the hard lessons Dad wanted him to learn…he always saw the bright side.

The father wracked his brains trying to think of something that would force his son to see the dark side, the unhappy side of life. He desperately wanted to toughen his son up so he would develop a jaundiced eye.

He thought he had a plan. For Christmas, he transported a four-foot high pile of horse manure into the house, right next to the Christmas tree. Surely, this, as his only present, would humble and humiliate the child and he could properly navigate the cold cruel world.

Christmas morning came, and the father told his son that there was one present for him by the tree. The child ran down the stairs, beheld the pile, and jumped up and down in glee.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! This is the best present ever! Oh, Daddy. I love it!”

The mystified father dropped into his chair in confusion. A huge pile of manure as his only present, and the boy was ecstatic? How?

The father repeated…”This is your only present. This is all you get for Christmas.”

“I know!! I’m so excited!”

“Son, why are you happy to get a pile of manure for Christmas?”

“Oh, Daddy!! There’s a pony in there someplace!”

By nature, teachers are optimists...we go to school every day, determined to be a better teacher than the day before, and expecting to affect lives. 

But, we in #oklaed were given a pile of manure yesterday at the polls. And I’ve spent the day looking for the pony.

Our ‘teacher caucus’ bravely stepped up and ran for the legislature. They took on the better-established, better-funded incumbents. These teachers and family wanted to shift the conversation at the Capitol, and provide much-needed guidance when school reform was the topic of conversation.

Our teacher candidates knocked doors, created networks, learned to ask for money.  They navigated a whole new world of candidacy…and too many of them lost their races yesterday. Too many friends put their lives on hold to learn a new skill-set, and they came up short. I read post after post that started, “Well, the outcome was not what we wanted…”

My favorite candidate, Jacob Rosecrants, is a former student. I’ve known him since I was taller than he. I’ve watched him grow in confidence as a dad and a teacher. He stepped up, with the attitude, “I’ll win or I’ll learn.” He learned…he made a very strong showing against an established incumbent. He made me proud.  He learned. And he’s returning to his classroom to shepherd his students…

My Grand’s favorite candidate is Shawn Sheehan, her Algebra 1 teacher. He’s inspired a love of math…a willingness to persevere on tough problems. Shawn, last year’s Oklahoma Teacher of the Year is also returning to the classroom, and my Grand will have him for her teacher.

We lost some fantastic teacher-candidates, and I hope sincerely they stay involved in Oklahoma school politics and maybe even make another run for office.  We need their expertise and their courage.

There was a bright spot in my night. Mickey Dollens, one of the first teacher-candidates to announce a run.  I saw an interview where he talked about the books he’d studied on how to run for office. He attacked this challenge with energy and intelligence. He won. He will be representing HD93 in the next session of the legislature.

Seven educators won seats in the Senate and four in the House. Much smaller numbers than we’d hoped. But a start. I keep looking for that pony.  Eleven educators or family members will be joining the legislature, with the knowledge to affect policy.

We watched two State Questions with great interest…one was the penny sales tax question. Money generated would be used first, for a raise for all teachers, and then for other purposes. This was a tough one. I was against it before I was for it. None of us likes the regressive nature of sales taxes on the working poor. We all wanted another proposal to address the dismal teacher salaries in our state. Everyone said they had a plan…no one delivered. Signatures were collected and the question was placed on the ballot. Folks knocked doors, created short videos, and we were all feeling pretty positive. Then the attack ads appeared. Figures were manipulated…actually, figures were lied about. Innuendos surfaced about the groups providing funding for the Yes campaign…they were – gasp – charter supporters. That must mean the question is evil.

It was defeated. While early polling numbers showed support, the barrage of negative ads did their trick, and there will be no raise.

We heard many people say, “I support a teacher raise, but…” That but negates the introductory phrase. 

“I support a teacher raise, but…this is regressive.”

“I support a teacher raise, but…this is not the way.”

“I support a teacher raise, but…we need a better plan.”

“I support a teacher raise, but…if we vote yes, the legislature is ‘off the hook’ and won’t do their jobs.” 

Let me see…for ten years teachers have waited…and the legislature and the governors have ignored the need. Easily sliding off the hook.

The question was defeated. Teachers watched in abject sadness, knowing this was the only opportunity for a raise in the next several years.

I posted my frustration: “Looks bad for SQ779, so all you folks who said we need to wait for 'a better plan,' I suggest you get a teaching certificate quickly and jump into the classroom to fill in for all the career teachers who see this as a slap in the face. And then we'll wait for a 'better plan.'”

Teachers returned to the classroom today with heavy hearts, and many with tears in their eyes. The voters had said, “NO” to any possibility of a raise.  Some told us they wanted the legislature to do their jobs. We would all love that. I, for one, am not holding my breath. I’ve waited and watched as half-hearted attempts are made, papers shuffled and nothing happens. Why would I trust them now? Why would any teacher in OK trust them?

We begged voters to vote YES and to vote FOR every pro-public education candidate on their ballot. Or, if they were voting NO, to vote for every pro-public education candidate…you already know how that went. The party in power solidified its lop-sided advantage in both houses.

Voters re-elected the same incumbents who’ve created the problem, and voted against the last hope for a raise for our teachers. We are told to wait…again…still.

Teachers are packing their bags, polishing their resumes, talking to friends in neighboring states. Preservice teacher candidates are choosing to bypass #oklaed as possible employment. It’s not hyperbole to say we will lose a generation of teachers in our state. I have former students who are now teachers. I watch them struggle with their decision to stay at home, or to pull up stakes and find a state that respects their educators. 

Do those voters care? How can we assume they do? They’re content to wait for that ‘better plan’ which will miraculously appear on the first day of the 2017 session.  We are not. We’ve had years of broken promises, of excuses. We are done. And many of us are moving. Or changing careers. With the full knowledge that the voters of our state are willing to wait for a ‘better plan’ as we hemorrhage teachers.

Today, I learned who financed the attack ads...those ads casting doubts on the groups funding the YES vote...those ads that just lied about facts. Lies that were parroted back at us all day today. The force behind the NO ads? Wait for it....Americans for Prosperity. Koch Brothers, ALEC. Sincere people were duped by the most cynical group of lobbyists in our country. And too many of my friends fell for it. And voted no. ALEC controlled this election. ALEC controlled the information and the voters. 

So, are there ponies in the manure pile that was the election night? Yeah…some new lawmakers who can make a difference.

But there was a giant pile of poo, also. Teachers were told ‘not now, wait, another time, maybe.’ We were told, ‘you’re not a priority.’ We were told to keep digging in that manure pile and maybe…

Vote, Dammit!

I’m reading –actually listening to—a book called Start with Why? By Simon Sinek

…it’s a business and organizational book about inspiring others with your vision as a way to sell more, work harder, create a social movement. It’s making me think of #oklaed – how it began, and what we’d say our inspiring vision is.

#oklaed is a loose confederacy of educators and parents who want more from our schools, more from our policy makers. More from ourselves. I think if we asked all the educators and parents who show up for our #oklaed chats, who attend the EdCamps, who participate in social media around our hashtag, “What is your vision for #oklaed? What’s your purpose? Your ‘Why?’ you’d get variations on a theme…to participate in the education of the 670,000+ school children in our state. To make education better because we were there, and we spoke up.

It’s now crunch time, #oklaed…We can make education better…if we show up. Show up at the polls and vote.

Scores of our friends and colleagues answered that ‘why?’ with, “My purpose is to run for office, to represent my students’ families at the Capitol. To participate in the legislative dialogue.” That has been inspiring. I’m giddy to think I have friends running for office. A former student running for office. People I KNOW are running. They’ve put their home life on hold. They’ve learned how to run a campaign. They’ve knocked doors of strangers and pitched their candidacy. They’ve been interviewed. They’ve studied other issues facing their constituents. They’ve become students again so that they are informed to serve.

They’ve shown up. Now it’s our turn.

Every one of us should know the candidates for state Representative and Senator in our districts. Every one of us should have informed ourselves on the State Questions. We should know that we’ll be voting on the retention of judges. That’s been our test prep. Finding sources and looking at websites. You can type in your address and get a sample ballot from the OK Election Board.

The test is November 8. If you haven’t voted by mail (I did, and it was fun to sit in my easy chair and use my phone to research issues), or if you don’t plan to vote early (I’ve done that too. I’ve found the workers at the Election Board to be helpful and friendly), you must show up at the polls and vote for these education candidates. Ones we know share a common vision and purpose for #oklaed.

There is a State Question on the ballot that will directly impact #oklaed: SQ779. It will provide raises for teachers…much-needed raises. At a cost of a penny sales tax. This SQ has been made necessary because our policy makers have failed to do their job of funding #oklaed. They throw out false promises, but they do nothing.

Sincere opponents of the SQ ask us to wait for a ‘better’ plan…one that does not fall on the shoulders of the working poor and middle class (read: Teachers). One that’s ‘fairer’. You know, the legislature has had years to do just that, and they’ve failed to prioritize education or teachers.  For eight years we have seen policy makers rip holes in school budgets, and cut per-pupil funding. They’ll tell you they’ve increased funding in that time…technically true. BUT because our school population has far outstripped their funding, we are still near the bottom of per-pupil expenditures…as we are for teacher salaries.

People tell us other state workers haven’t had a raise either. True. Very true. And they do God’s work, just as educators do. I hate the feeling of pitting one group of underpaid state workers against another. We should be allies, demanding our policy makers do the right thing.

Obviously – my stand is clear. But it’s evolved as I realized it is the ONLY proposal on the table. The. Only. One. Everyone has ‘a plan’ to help, but no one’s done anything. People tell us to wait for the perfect plan…and my response is, “I’ve waited since 1979…when we moved to Oklahoma, and I love $1000 real dollars in my salary from my job in Iowa…with one more year’s experience.”

I have two nightmares about SQ779. If it passes, policy makers will say, “Well, see? We didn’t have to lift a finger to solve the problem. “The people” will tax themselves. Woohoo! Business as usual” If it fails, they might say, “Well, see? “The people” don’t care any more than we do about teachers. Woohoo! Business as usual .”

The combination of education friendly candidates AND SQ779 gives us all a unique opportunity to really do the right thing for schools and students and teachers.

Do the right thing. Vote.

Here’s what I know about my blog posts about voting: they are the lowest-read pieces I write. People don’t seem to want to read about voting. Here and here and here and here, this, my first voting post. Sorry/not sorry for linking all the old posts. I write about voting a lot. To a tiny audience, it appears.

Here’s what I know about teachers and voting: WE DON’T. Depending on the source, I’ve heard anywhere between 18% and 30% of teachers vote. That’s why policy makers ignore us when we email and write and visit and rally. They know we won’t show up. For all our commitment to the vision of #oklaed, we don’t take the action to build that vision into reality.

Do the right thing.

Vote. And vote for the vision, the purpose, the 'why', of a state that will support and fund public schools.

"Teacher Caucus" is Set for November.

Primaries and run-offs are over, and we know who our legislative candidates will be for November. There are still a considerable number of teacher-and-family candidates running for office, and now is the time to find a candidate in your districts you can support.

Remember, my list comes with no endorsements. That's why I include websites (when I can find them)...it's YOUR job as voter to vet your candidates, to meet them, ask your questions of them. Listen to them. And push on YOUR issues. Not my job...yours.

A close reading of a candiate's website can quickly give you information about issues and stances. That should be your first step in researching your candidates. Then, see if they have a social media presence...Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. Follow or like their pages and watch what they say and how they say it. Engage them online and watch the results.

I'm hoping you'll find someone you can work for, volunteer for, donate to. And vote for.


In House run off races, HD saw two teachers vying for the vote. Rhonda Baker defeated Chad Slane.

In HD 67, Tom McCloud, husband of a teacher, was defeated in his race. I recently connected with Mr. McCloud, and have been impressed with his research on vouchers, and his calm, logical, spirited opposition. This is the magazine he publishes. Read his voucher article, starting on page 19. His conservative friends are not happy with his stance, but I actually learned a thing or two following a couple of conversations. He is not lured into emotional diatribe; he sticks to the research. He's someone I want to know better. We have an ally here.

The list of House candidates who are educators or family members are:

HD	Name	Website	Party	Educator
2	Tom Sites	http://www.tomstitesforok.com/	R	Adjunct
3	Troy Dyer		D	Yes
4	Matt Meredith	http://www.mattmeredithok.com/	D	SchBd
12	Darla Milligan	http://www.darlamilligan.com/	D	Yes
13	Wayne Herriman		D	Daughter
14	Lee Ann Langston	http://www.leeannlangston.com/	D	Yes
20	(Gregory) Matt Failing	http://mattfailing.com/	D	Former
25	David Weir	http://votedavidweir.com/	D	Yes
29	Macy Gleason	http://www.macygleason.com/	D	Parents
33	Caryl Talley	https://vote4talley.com/#/contribute/home	D	Yes
42	Liz George	http://lizforoklahoma.com/	D	Higher Ed
43	Mike Bounds	http://www.mikeboundsforoklahoma.com/	D	Spouse
46	Jacob Rosecrants	http://jacobrosecrants.com/	D	Yes
49	Michelle Bray	http://www.michellebraydistrict49.com/	D	Yes
50	Melissa Tilley	http://melissatilley.org/	D	Yes
60	Chad Slane	http://www.slanefor60.com/	R	Yes
60	Rhonda Baker	http://www.rhondabakerforok.com/	R	Yes
64	Jacobi Crowley	http://jacobicrowley.com/	D	Yes
65	Rick Gilleland	http://www.rickforrepok.com/about-rick.html	D	Spouse
67	Tom McCloud	http://www.mccloud4oklahoma.com/home	R	Spouse
72	Monroe Nichols	http://www.monroeforoklahoma.com/	D	Yes
75	Karen Gaddis	http://www.karengaddis.com/	D	Yes
76	Glenda Puett	http://www.glendapuett.com/	D	Yes
80	Tom Bates	http://bates4ok80.wix.com/2016	D	Yes
82	David Dickerson	http://www.dickersonforok.com/	I	Yes
83	Jason Stone	http://stonefor83.weebly.com/	D	Higher Ed
84	Tammy West	http://www.tammywesthouse84.com/#home	R	SchBd
93	Mickey Dollens	http://mickeydollens.com/	D	Yes
95	James Cook	http://www.jamescookforok.com/	D	Higher Ed
100	Jeremy Miller	http://www.jmillerhd100.com/	D	Yes
100	Donald Wentroth	http://www.donwentroth.com/	D	Yes
101	Cheryl M-Hessman	http://www.cherylmooneyhamhessman.com/	D	Yes

In Senate run offs, Chris Kidd, a former educator, defeated Toni Hasenbeck, a teacher. In a hard-fought race for SD 25, Lisa Kramer, school board member, and certified public acountant, lost with the help of dark money from a pro-voucher group that specifically targeted her for defeat. The Oklahoma Federation for Children PAC crowed in a news release about the victory of their candidate, who supports vouchers. Speaking for myself, this was a bitter defeat. Kramer would have brought such credibility, as a school board member, and as an accountant, to the Senate.  Rick Cobb wrote here about what was at stake in this race.

I will remind readers that Jennifer Carter, former Chief of Staff to Janet Barresi, former Superintendent of schools, is now running Oklahoma Federation for Children. I think we need to know who our public schools enemies are. OFC is our enemy.

The list of educators and family running for Senate seats in November are:

SD	Name	Website	Party	Educator
1	Michael Bergstrom		R	Yes
3	Rhonda Cox	http://www.rhondacox.net/home.html	D	Yes
5	Stacy Ebert		D	Yes
9	Jack Reavis	http://jackreavis.com/index.html	D	Yes
9	D. Pemberton	http://www.pembertonforsenate.com/	R	Yes
13	Eric Hall	http://erichallforsenate.com/	D	Yes
13	Greg McCortney	http://www.gregmccortney.com/home	R	Spouse
15	Shawn Sheehan	http://www.sheehanforok.com/	I	Yes
19	Rhonda Harlow	http://www.harlow4oksenate.com/	D	Yes
19	Roland Pederson	http://www.rolandforsenate.com/	R	Yes
23	Lonnie Paxton	http://lonniepaxton.com/	R	Spouse
29	Robert Jobe	http://jobeforstatesenate29.com/	D	Yes
31	Chris Kidd	http://www.chriskiddforsenate.com/about.php	R	Former
37	Lloyd Snow	http://snow4ok.com/	D	Yes
39	John Waldron	http://www.waldron4ok.com/	D	Yes
41	Kevin McDonald	http://www.mcdonaldforok.com/	D	Yes
43	Leah Pollan	http://www.leahpollan.com/	D	Parents
43	Paul Scott	http://www.scott4oksenate.com/	R	Spouse
47	Judy Hopper	http://www.judymullenhopper.com/	D	Yes

We're Not in Kansas, But...

We in #oklaed are embroiled in a heated election cycle that has seen educators and family members step up and run for office. We’ve seen some great candidates lose their primaries…we’ve seen some hold on and force run-off elections. We also see many candidates, education-friendly candidates, work toward the November general elections.

This new venture into the political arena has not been without controversy and strife. We advocates for public education have been mocked in news conferences and in print for the audacity of using our citizens’ voice to call for change. We sometimes feel like we’re alone in our efforts.

But we’re NOT. Kansas is also suffering under a Governor who seems intent on following Grover Norquist’s edict and drown state government in a bathtub. His legislature seems more than willing to help. I have an online teacher friend in KS, a fellow National Board Certified Teacher, a passionate educator and eclectic reader. Marsha Ratzel is a creative, innovative middle school science and math teacher, always looking for ways to incorporate technology and literature into her classroom. Marsha and I have never met face to face, but we stay in touch on several social media platforms. I love seeing pictures of her and her cute dog, and her new grandbaby gives us even more ways to bond. Marsha is a friend whose observations and insights I value. She pushes my thinking, and often offers clarity to my impulsiveness. I’ve watched and commiserated with Marsha about the destructive politics that are hurting public schools in both our states.  We both agree our roles as Grandmothers adds urgency to our advocacy work for schools and students.

Oklahoma had modest success in our primary elections – some wins, some run-offs. But I believe all candidates sat up and took notice of the issues we’ve been supporting.

Our success is nothing like what happened in Kansas last week.

Kansas’s primary election results were stunning. Ten incumbents were defeated (Three in Oklahoma didn’t make it though their primaries), including the Senate Majority Leader.  A US Congressman also lost his primary reelection bid. Analysis points to economic woes and support for public schools as reasons for the ‘revolt’.

On election day my friend Marsha proudly posted her selfie with her ‘I voted’ sticker. Then she posted her insights about her involvement in the election.  I pushed and asked questions, and she reflected, as a good National Board Certified Teacher will, and gave me gold.

I’m sharing Marsha’s strategies here, hoping we can find what works for us here in OK…what each of us would feel comfortable doing between now and November.  I’m going to share her words and strategies…with commentary.

“I looked hard for candidates that mirrored my K12 education vision.

“I looked for candidates that want to govern and that means something different than running a political campaign. Governing means, to my mind, listening and finding ways to compromise for the benefit of those you govern.

“I looked to defeat incumbents and candidates who were arrogant and who didn't line up with how I think KS kids deserve to be educated with adequate funding.

“I hope I worked hard to make sure all people knew when to vote, how to vote and where to vote.”

Marsha did what I hope we all are doing – she studied and researched. She took actions and words into consideration.  She chose the issues that were important to her. She used all the information she had, and she made choices.

Then what did she do?

“I asked friends to just give me 5 minutes and if they didn't want to hear me speak about it again....I was OK with that. No one thought I was a raving lunatic or unreasonable.

“I ask them to take action if they agreed. Some put signs in their front yards and that was it. Some thought they could speak to 1 or 2 other people. Some believed they could push others to just vote.

“It's the whole pebble in the water thing....if anyone can just start a ripple at their local level and influence a very small number of people to participate, I believe we will create a more representative democracy. And that is something we should all work hard to preserve and extend. “

She reached out and talked to friends. She engaged them in conversation. She shared her story and her concerns.

“I do think you have to be willing to tolerate/embrace people that you don't agree with..”

I so appreciate Marsha’s words and her approach. I’m reminded of  Tip O’Neill’s line: “All politics is local.” Marsha’s strategy was local. She spoke to friends and neighbors, people with whom she has relationships. She shared her concerns and she asked for their help.

We in OK still have two more elections to face. We can do what KS did. We can send a message that our students’ education is a priority for us, and we will find candidates who are ready to fund public education adequately.

Marsha again: “it was something I came to because I could look myself in the mirror and know I tried. Regardless of the ballot box results.

“I finally figured out that I win whenever I participate. But it is so much sweeter when the election aligns with my hopes.”

We’re not in Kansas. But we can do this too.  We need to do what Marsha did…research, look at issues. Engage friends and neighbors in conversation, ask for support, and then vote. Bring someone to the polls with you. Vote #oklaed.

I’m ready to elect education-friendly candidates. Are you?