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NEA New Mexico: We Deserve More Respect From Martinez

Office of the Governor

  Once again the Governor makes a demeaning comment about teachers.   The remarks came to light in a Mother Jones magazine article published today, “Is New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez the Next Sarah Palin?”

Just a week after Martinez released her first highly-polished campaign ad denouncing her national ambitions and promoting her warm and fuzzy side, new audio recordings from inside her 2010 campaign show her behind closed doors belittling  teachers and planning with her campaign team on how to keep it a secret during her 2010 campaign.

“Very few teachers work only nine months, very few get paid as if they worked twelve months, “ notes Betty Patterson, NEA-NM President.   Most teachers use the summer for professional development, to learn new curriculum and to write curriculum for their districts.  We also work on lesson plans and collaborative planning with peers.  Many are now working K-3plus or other programs which start in July so we may have 2 weeks off before planning for this program.  During the nine months teachers work directly with students, we put in endless hours beyond what is paid or expected.

Educators and school district employees deserve more especially as more lands on our plates.  We now have to prepare for common core with little materials, new teacher evaluation, new PARRC testing in addition to all district testing.  We also prepare for English language learners, special education students and students with learning gaps. 

“The work of educating a new generation is so much more than ‘just a job,’ and we deserve more respect from our Governor.  The public should not be deceived,” concludes Patterson.