LOUISIANA TEACHER SPARKS WORLDWIDE CONVERSATION ABOUT EDUCATORS’ FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
Vermilion Parish teacher Deyshia Hargrave didn’t think something as simple as attending a school board meeting could change her life. It was something she had done many times before, but the evening of January 8, 2018 was different.
Deyshia planned to attend the meeting to weigh in on the board’s approval of the superintendent’s contract which included an almost $40-thousand pay raise. During the portion of the meeting devoted to public comment, Deyshia was acknowledged by the board, given the floor, and began to state her opinion about the proposal
“We’re doing the work. The students are doing the work. At the top? That’s not where kids learn. It’s in the classroom. And those teachers, like myself, are not getting a dime,” she told the board.
Deyshia went on to point out that Vermilion teachers and education support professionals (ESPs) hadn’t had a raise in more than 10 years, but before she could finish, the school board president stopped her mid-sentence. Shortly after, a security guard approached her asking her to leave the meeting. She followed his instruction, but when she stepped into the hall, Deyshia quickly found herself being handcuffed. LAE leaders were informed of the incident minutes after it occurred and immediately called the LAE legal team to action.
“As an organization that advocates for the dedicated school employees of Louisiana, we firmly denounce the mistreatment of Ms. Hargrave, as it is every citizen’s right to speak up for their beliefs,” said LAE President Debbie Meaux. “We will continue to support the right of every single school employee to take an interest in, and ultimately stand up for, the best interests of their schools and their students.”
The incident was captured on tape by local news outlets and much to Deyshia’s surprise, the video went viral. Over the course of just 24 hours, more than a million people across the world viewed the incident. The response? Overwhelming support. Words of encouragement and messages of hope came pouring in, but most significant (and not surprising) were the stories of shared experiences. One comment on Facebook read:
“Too many of us have been reprimanded verbally or simply in the way we are treated to shape our minds, if you will, as to not stand up for ourselves. After seeing her courage and resilience, I am empowered to take a stand, along with fellow educators, against simply taking whatever crumbs we can get, and instead, fight for what we are worth; what we deserve.”
Days after the worldwide outcry, leaders of Deyshia’s local union, the Vermilion Association of Educators, organized a rally to shed light on the issue. Hundreds gathered in the rain to show their support, not just for Deyshia, but for citizens’ rights to free speech. During her statements to the crowd, Deyshia reiterated her decision to stand up to the board with tough questions.
“I chose to speak out. I hope you choose to speak out, too,” she said. “Don’t let what happened to me intimidate to you. Instead, let it become your strength, because it’s slowly becoming mine.”
Deyshia’s treatment, while unwelcomed, sparked a welcomed conversation. It’s time our leaders start listening to the voices of the professionals in the field fighting for the best interests of children. LAE will continue to champion Deyshia and the important conversation she started. To join us in this effort, sign our petition at lae.org/standbydeyshia.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Debbie Meaux, President
The Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, begins with the phrase, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…” Those of us who work in education can certainly relate to these words. Each day our jobs are stressful and often exhausting, but what we do is meaningful and truly valuable to Louisiana’s children.
As educators, our students are at the center of everything we do. Our voices are essential to ensuring a great education for every child. Recently, our school communities were rocked by the situation involving Deyshia Hargrave, a teacher who was arrested after speaking during the public comment portion of a school board meeting. When I first saw the video (now seen around the world) of a law enforcement officer forcing her to the ground in handcuffs, my mouth dropped. We’ve been in Deyshia’s corner since the incident occurred. In addition to providing her with legal services and other supports, LAE has worked diligently to raise awareness about the chilling infringement upon Deyshia’s First Amendment Rights. Every educator must be able to speak out on the issues that matter to their colleagues, their students, and their communities, without fear of retaliation. If you agree, sign our petition at lae.org/standbydeyshia and make a commitment to stand with us on this matter.
They tried to silence Deyshia, but they will not silence us as we continue to work with the leaders of the Vermilion Association of Educators on other actions to ensure no employee in the system is treated in such an unlawful manner again.
The incident brings up an important reminder: that no educator should enter a school building, classroom, or schoolrelated job (or meeting) without the protection of a union. Though no one ever goes to work with the intended purpose of getting into trouble, things happen – often by no fault of our own. LAE is here to support and protect members from any wrongdoing or unfair treatment at work or in your job capacity. As a member of this association, I hope you will emphasize the importance of membership to your nonunion colleagues. What is impossible for the individual becomes possible through the collective voice of many.
In addition to its service to protecting and maintaining educators’ professional rights, always remember the LAE’s position on fostering professional growth. Our Teaching and Learning Center continues to break ground on providing the most relevant trainings led by Louisiana educators for Louisiana educators. Be sure to visit lae.org/teachingandlearning often for upcoming opportunities
If you’re interested in having a say on association policy decisions and initiatives, consider attending the 2018 LAE Representative Assembly in Baton Rouge April 14 and 15. Local association leaders hold elections for delegates to the LAE-RA. Be sure to contact your local association president TODAY to let him/ her know you’re interested in having your name added to the ballot. The deadline for local presidents to submit their delegates to LAE is Thursday, March 15.
Also, don’t forget, LAE Elections are right around the corner. As you know, LAE members across the state drive statelevel, association-wide decisions. The strength of the whole is determined by those who lead. Soon, you will have an opportunity to vote for your colleagues running for leadership positions. Please vote for the candidates you feel are most qualified to lead the association – biographies are included in this newsletter. Please be sure to review all information carefully and be prepared to vote beginning March 10.
Another important association initiative to consider is nominating for the LAE Image Awards. Every year, we honor a teacher, ESP, administrator, ancillary professional, Friend of Education, and Human and Civil Rights Trailblazer. Find applications and instructions for the nominating process at lae.org/imageawards. The deadline to apply to be considered for this prestigious association honor is February16th.
Whether advocating for members or providing quality professional development and leadership opportunities, the association’s members are at the center of everything we do. I am proud to be a member and I hope you are, too.
As we prepare for testing season, I hope you will remember to take some time to reflect on all the great things you do for your students every day. Know that your hard work is admired and appreciated. On behalf of the leaders and staff of this great association, I want to say thank you for your service to our schools and children. Always remember, your professional association supports you and stands by you.
In Solidarity,
Debbie Meaux
THE NEA FOUNDATION NAMES LAE MEMBER AS FINALIST FOR PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD
EAST BATON ROUGE ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS MEMBER TIA MILLS TO BE HONORED AT AWARDS GALA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
LAE member Tia Mills, an exceptional student services teacher in Baton Rouge, will be recognized as one of the nation’s top educators at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Awards Gala this month. LAE President Debbie Meaux said the association is honored to have Tia represent our state at the national gala.
“Tia is a tremendous advocate for her colleagues and her students,” Meaux said. “She’s worked hard and it shows. We are all very proud of her for being recognized with this prestigious honor.”
The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. The awards are presented annually at a gala in Washington, D.C., which attracts more than 800 national leaders from the public education, philanthropic, and business sectors.
“Tia has been selected for this award by her peers because she has attained the highest teaching standards, as shown by her exemplary instruction, advocacy for the profession, attention to diversity, leadership in professional development, and engagement of parents and community,” said Harriet Sanford, president and CEO of the NEA Foundation. “Honoring her is our way of thanking her and all the public school educators she represents.”
Mills was nominated for the award by the LAE after winning the association’s annual Teacher Image Award in 2017.
The NEA Foundation will live stream video of the event on its website neafoundation.org, so that Tia’s students, peers, and family can join in the celebration. The event will be broadcast live on February 9, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.
Downloads
Learn More
Membership Has Its Rewards
