Last Tuesday while flying across these great United States I came across a the ad on the left and article in USA Today. 
The ad, funded by The Center for Union Facts, was asking readers to enter a contest, of sorts. But this wasn't your regular contest to win a car, a trip to the Bahamas, or a flat screen TV. This ad was asking readers to go on line and vote for the very worst teacher in America. As a mom, PTA board member and proud graduate of the Minnesota public school system; I have to say that I admire, respect and sympathize with teachers. But, the ad did its job -- it caught my attention and got me to read on. Here's what I learned...
It seems the ad's funders are combining the power of the press (and many other forms of advertising -- check out the mobile billboard to the rig
ht) with the power of the Internet to "out" America's ill-suited educators. And they're putting their money where their mouth is. Those teachers that get the most "votes" will be offered a cool $10,000 to quit their jobs. It seems this organization is not too fond of the tenure system claiming that, "Thanks to outmoded, union-defended employment laws and policies, it can be impossible to fire a bad union-protected teacher. That’s why the Center for Union Facts is going to pay the ten worst union-protected teachers in America $10,000 apiece to get out of the classroom - for good." The website continues to say that, "Dedicated, professional teachers have nothing to fear from this contest (in fact, it’s teachers unions who oppose paying better teachers more money); we’re here to showcase the worst of the worst."
To learn more about this eye-opening concept and the entire campaign go to the Teachers Union Exposed where you can even share your worst teacher tale.
To me this story is not nearly as much about teachers or unions but about the implications of this type of participative communication. Long gone are the days when organizations, public or private, can hide indiscretions, misconduct or defects. (Just ask Eliot Spitzer) Transparency is the new standard of business. Whether you are a public agency or private company you must behave and deliver the kind of products, programs and service that can be confidently viewed on the nightly news or YouTube. Teachers are only one group being put to the test. You could be next. Is there someone in your organization that could be nominated for "Worst front desk clerk? camp counselor? volunteer coach?
It's a scary thought but, nowadays, anything's possible. What are your comments about this type of transparency?
