Kristi Can't Buy Love!

By Jeff Simpson

Knotsie member and former teacher Kristi LaCroix, has left her teaching job and has become an anti union union boss.  Kristi is now an unelected boss of Association for American Educators(AAE). 

AAE is a place where you can pay dues to Kristi and get absolutely nothing in return.  What a bargain.   Now though, according to the spam email she sent out to educators in WI, you actually do get something back - a $10 gift card to Amazon. 

When you can not people to buy your snake oil, then you need to try a different way..what better than bribery? 

SPECIAL DEAL FOR WI TEACHERS JOIN TODAY!

Dear XXXX, We’re giving away $10 Amazon e-Gift cards to every new teacher in WI who joins AAE. Plus you'll be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card just in time for the holidays.   Don't wait for this offer to expire! You've heard of the great professional protection and support that Association of American Educators (AAE) provides for a fraction of the cost of other organizations, right? Well don't wait to join any longer! AAE is offering a $10 Amazon e-gift card special to all new professional members in Wisconsin who sign up online between today and next Wednesday, December 10th, 2014. To get your free gift and to be entered to win our $100 raffle, enter the code TEACHER SAVINGS in the box that asks "How did you hear about AAE" Once you become an AAE member, you will receive a $10 Amazon e-gift card as part of your membership benefits!  It's like getting almost a whole month of membership FREE but more FUN because you get to go shopping on us! Join AAE today and don't forget to use the code TEACHER SAVINGS on your application!   Best of Luck! Kristi Lacroix Association of American Educators P.S. Find out if AAE Membership is right for you! Visit us at www.aaeteachers.org/membership Hey Kristi, If you cant beat 'em, buy "em!  Quite a product you have there, I would hate to be one of your vendors!

The Alternative to Teacher's unions - Isn't!

By Jeff Simpson

Interesting article today in the Wisconsin State Journal regarding the American Association of Educators. 

AAE promotes itself as The Association of American Educators (AAE) is the largest national, non-union, professional educators' organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to teacher representation and educational advocacy, as well as promoting professionalism, collaboration and excellence without a partisan agenda.

However it is really the furthest thing from that.   As Molly Beck points out:

While it markets itself as being without a political agenda unlike teachers unions, the American Association of Educators gets significant funding from conservative-leaning foundations and often advocates for school choice and publicly rejects what it calls “forced unionism.”

Some teachers just wanted a “have really been searching for a less politically charged alternative”.  So they found one - or not:

The Bradley Foundation from Milwaukee has sent about $645,000 to the AAE since 2008. Rosno said the foundation has given the AAE a grant to create a Wisconsin chapter office. The Walton Foundation also has given the association about $1.5 million since 2009.

Nothing says apolitical in public education like $2,000,000 grants from the etreme right wing Walton and Bradley Foundations.

But wait there is more:

It cost $180 per year to join and you get absolutely nothing for your money except some serious irony.  See in the AAE they have actual highly paid bosses.

 Members of those organizations also appear among the AAE Foundation’s board of directors. Secretary and treasurer Becky Norton Dunlop is vice president of the Heritage Foundation, and Alan P. Dye is the legal counsel to ALEC.

Then there is this kicker that makes it all worthwhile:

 Though the association calls itself nonpartisan, the group publicly supports or opposes matters related to education or unionism if a certain percentage of members vote to take a position, according to its website.

So if a majority of their members approve of something, they advocate for it?  I wonder who else does that?