Dear Rick Perry

Governor Perry,

    I am a teacher for a school located in the heart of Austin Texas.  Before you disregard this letter, I would like to send my appreciations for taking time to review my issue.  Fortunately, I have not been cut or laid off.  However, many of my colleagues have been or are about to be.  Please read this respectfully and with dignity.
   
   I am under the impression that you are convinced that education is the most important investment a state can make in its people.  Am I correct when I say that your goal is to ensure that Texas institutions of higher education are providing students the best chance at a better life?  What about when you mentioned the importance of focusing on the core themes of accountability, affordability, and accessibility?  I believed that you were for higher education and encouraging educators in preparing our learners for entry into our booming state economy.  We took your sugar coated words and took our passions into the classroom with a promise that teachers would be safe from the chopping block.  I fear that you are not understanding the uncomfortable impact you are putting on Texas educators.  What you are failing to realize, is that our students are the ones in danger.  No teachers.... no education.  
   
      Along with many educators, I am concerned with the sudden budget cuts and losses in our districts.  There are great educators walking on eggshells to keep their jobs as leaders of our great future leaders.  Teachers are being laid off due to low budgets and not enough money.  As teachers and as a community of educators, we want to believe that our institutions money is being used in a responsible manner by our boards and city leaders.  We are wondering where this money is going.  Governor Perry, do you realize  the more teachers that are cut, the less we remain a village of teachers and the  less we are able to change the lives of our students.  Where are you when they are standing outside of a school where to doors will soon be locked forever?
 
You have children of your own who probably had great teachers. 

  I am disappointed with your choices as you failed to provide adequate assurances that the money for our institutions would be used properly.
 This is not hate mail and I write you in all respect.  On behalf of Austin ISD and all schools in Austin, including Charter Institutions, we ask that you help us get our jobs back and allow us to lead and influence.  Do not let fiscal issues be the reason for closed institutions and less educators.  We voted for you and we believed that you would support us all the way.  This generation needs us.  Greatly.  We know what you can do for us. We know how you can help us.  

 Remember this when you lay your head down at night:  without teachers, there is no future.
Thank you.


Ugh, why can't we pay our schools with cupcakes? Then we wouldn't have to cut anybody.  Is the education system becoming... not so sweet??
Picture courtesy Google Pics - The OC.News