NEA Shouts Down Conservative Teacher's Call for Tolerance

AgapePress ^ | July 23, 2003 | Jim Brown and Jenni Parker

[ZGuy]

A conservative educator from Pennsylvania received a chilly response while addressing delegates to the National Education Association's annual convention held in New Orleans earlier this month.

Sissy Jochmann, a second grade teacher from Pennsylvania and chair of the Conservative Educators Caucus, delivered a two-minute speech in which she urged the NEA to support students in their right to choose not to engage in homosexual behavior. But Jochmann says delegates booed and shouted angrily at her while she spoke.

Jochmann's speech called on the NEA to provide "a full range of information and support resources available on homosexuality" and to be more tolerant of people on all sides of the issue. But the audience met Jochmann's proposal with antagonistic heckling and jeers.

"At one point -- the representative assembly -- I was speaking to over 9,400 people. It was a thunderous roar -- they didn't even want to consider debating it," she says.

Apparently the powerful educators' union is less tolerant than it purports to be -- and Jochmann is not the first to call attention to the organization's double standards.

In an editorial written for the organization Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, Dr. Warren Throckmorton revealed that the NEA convention for the past two years has denied exhibit space to PFOX. Last year, convention organizers told PFOX, an organization that supports homosexuals' right to choose to change their sexual orientation, that no space was available -- although they continued to sell exhibition space to other groups. This year, the NEA refused even to accept the group's application.

Throckmorton is director of college counseling and an associate professor of psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. His research, "Initial Empirical and Clinical Findings Concerning the Change Process for Ex-Gays," was published by the American Psychological Association in the June 2002 issue of their journal, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. The researcher believes in the work of PFOX and decries the unfairness of the NEA in excluding its members' viewpoints from the convention.

Throckmorton says it is time for the predominantly liberal educator's union to work through its ex-homophobia. "With the NEA stonewalling attempts to present ex-gay information, one wonders what the leadership fears from ex-gays. What possible educational purpose is served by suppressing information?" the doctor asks.

Jochmann would agree that the NEA convention creates an atmosphere hostile to alternative points of view.

"It's just amazing how people are even afraid to say that they are Republicans at the NEA convention, because it's overwhelmingly Democrats that are represented," she says. Throughout the event, conservatives tended to be timid about expressing their views, Jochmann adds, particularly on the issue of homosexuality.

The Pennsylvania teacher says she has often considered leaving the NEA but fears if she and her conservative colleagues all drop out, there will be no one to speak up on behalf of children, as she did at the conference.

"It was a wonderful spiritual experience. I'll never be the same as a result. God really blessed me for my obedience, and to experience His power in that circumstance," she says.

Despite being subjected to liberal delegates' hostility, Jochman does not regret her decision to speak out. Her Conservative Educators Caucus gained ten new members at the meeting.

[Brad's Gramma]

Oh man. God bless her for standing up to the NEA.

[spodefly]

I have simple (perhaps simple-minded?) questions: What in the hell does homosexuality have to do with the three "R's"?

Do we even worry about the fact that publicly educated students in the US lag other industrialized nations in the fundamentals of education?

Are we concerned that US History is no longer taught with any emphasis?

Since when does the fact that certain people consider each others colons to be sex organs take precedent over essential education?

How many millions of dollars of education funds are spent propagating (propagandizing) the homosexual agenda to school kids?

[joesnuffy]

Too bad the SCROTUS isnt as brave as she is-

[Colofornian]

Now why is this of concern to conservatives? I'm sure no conservative would be absent-minded enough to leave their kid in a classroom governed by a dues-paying NEA educator who answers to a dues-paying NEA principle and NEA-backed local school board members, right?

I mean, all of those wacky NEA principles & resolutions & beliefs don't intersect into the classroom...do...they???

[netmilsmom]

God Bless her bravery. Lord Bless her for seeing God's plan and not taking this as a cut down but rather a mission.
This is the website from Google
http://www.ceccentral.org

Drop her a thanks. This lady deserves a FReep!

[thoughtomator]

It's all part of a grand plan to shatter the things that made America what it is, since the success of America is heresy to the Left (just as it is heresy to the Islamokazis, so it's no coincidence they find themselves aligned together quite often). Therefore, in the name of equality for everyone (translation: bringing the standard of living in the USA down to the world average) bitter assaults are necessary on the pillars of US success.

[Eva]

Homosexuality has nothing to do with the three Rs. Homosexuality has everything to do with leftist politics and the NEA is a political machine first, an educational machine second.

The quality of public school education is inversely proportionate to the growth of the NEA.

[nothingnew]

What a bunch of fruitcake C__k_uc_ers.

FMCDH

[mitchbert]

Apparently the powerful educators' union is less tolerant than it purports to be

The concept that Liberals are tolerant is one of the greatest intellectual scams of our age.

They are not tolerant. Anything violating the sacred beliefs of Liberalism are shouted down and spun to the point that most decent thinking individuals don't want to have anything to do with the leftist jackels. This is their plan.

Unfortunately, with the leftist media being so dominant, that's all the sheeple see on a regular basis. It just makes our job harder.

[mrmeyer]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[hattend]

Sissy Jochmann, a second grade teacher from Pennsylvania and chair of the Conservative Educators Caucus, delivered a two-minute speech in which she urged the NEA to support students in their right to choose not to engage in homosexual behavior. But Jochmann says delegates booed and shouted angrily at her while she spoke.

NEA - "We're very tolerant, just not to you, Sissy"

[DPB101]

Sissy wasn't the only one. David O'Neal was beaten down when he suggested the NEA come out in favor of keeping the word "God" in the pledge. Details here:

SEEN BUT NOT HEARD (World Magazine)

[RightOnline]

Is there anyone with a semblance of a brain left in America that doesn't know what a stinking pile of Socialist s**t the NEA is?????? Anyone??????

[Heatseeker]

Sissy Jochmann, a second grade teacher from Pennsylvania and chair of the Conservative Educators Caucus, delivered a two-minute speech in which she urged the NEA to support students in their right to choose not to engage in homosexual behavior. But Jochmann says delegates booed and shouted angrily at her while she spoke.

In other words, the NEA demands that all students engage in homosexual behavior - they do not have the choice to be otherwise. I wish I could say I was surprised.

[goodnesswins]

Er....one correction...."NEA is a political machine first," A SOCIALIST MACHINE SECOND, and "an educational machine" THIRD. Hope you don't mind my correction.

[NutCrackerBoy]

Jochmann says delegates booed and shouted angrily at her while she spoke.

This reminds me of the reception Christina Hoff-Sommers got when, as an invited speaker to a government conference, she was booed and called a b*tch for making very reasonable point that the performance of government education programs should be a prerequisite to their continuing. I think the case in point happened to be some Hillary-sponsored edu-boost for girls.

[Paul Atreides]

I used to wonder why old-timers looked down on people with book-learnin'. Seeing what has become of education, I don't wonder anymore.

[MonroeDNA]

Now THERE is a true hero. Going into the lion's den.

I feel humble in the strength of her courage.

[Colofornian]

a lot of conservatives dont have much choice when it comes to sending their kids to public schools or not

A lot of conservatives don't want to make the hard choices when it comes to their kids:

(a) We don't want to take to time to debrief our public-schooled kids each day to see what they've been unnecessarily indoctrinated in; (b) We don't want to do much of any formal or informal ed of our children--even if they remain in public school; (c) We don't want to consider home schooling or online learning ops so readily available these days (even folks who say they don't have the ability/time to do this are not off of the hooks I mentioned above in (a) and (b);

[RightOnline]

"...the NEA is a political machine first, an educational machine second."

With all due respect................wrong.

They're a self-appointed instrument for "social change" first and foremost. Second, they're a Socialist organization.........fact; an ideaological group. Third, they're a political organization, purely to drive the agenda(s) of the above.

They aren't.......and never were..........an educational organization.

[Paul Atreides]

It would be more accurate to say that they are an indoctrination organization.

[Eska]

The NEA is over 25% republican, believe it or not. They ask your party status when you join, so the nea know what they report is the truth. That's not counting all the teachers that don't join. The nea must see the writing on the wall. Problem is union leadership is ultra liberal.

Actually, most conservative teachers join the nea for legal protection. The first time you have a nutcake parent upset about how you handled little Johnny's behavior complain to district, then all the politics; anyone would pay the 600 bucks to join. Necessary evil if you plan to teach as a career.

[SuziQ]

Is anyone really surprised by this?

[RightOnline]

"It would be more accurate to say that they are an indoctrination organization."

I'll add that to the list, as well.

[DPB101]

Same old tune: Its the parents fault.

No it isn't. Most of the 2.5 million NEA members vote for every tax raising, family killing, depravity creating issue the left puts out there. They are tapped out. Working two jobs to support the people who are supposed to be teaching their kids.

With the money people are paying, there is no excuse for the schools being the way they are.

[longtermmemmory]

Does anyone know if the NEA has a pension fund? Who controls it? Follow the money and we will know who controls these wackos.

(the NEA is not there to protect exceptional teachers, its there to protect the unexceptional.)

[Colofornian]

Same old tune: Its the parents fault.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize that the character ed described in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 was written to dues-paying educators. I thought the "your children" (verse 7) was meant for parents, not the "it-takes-a-village" conceptual folks.

I guess I was misled by the "sit at home" and "walk along the road" and "lie down" & "get up" locales mentioned along with the "doorframes of your houses" and "gates" (vv. 7,9).

Forgive me. The all-encompassing nature of that passage I guess just swept me away.

Otherwise, tis a shame what Josh McDowell wrote about one time: How many conservative/Christian children, if asked to name who their fave teacher was, would point to someone outside of the home? As Josh points out, that wouldn't have been true a few generations ago.

[Libertina]

One against 9000... now that's courage!

[DPB101]

Employees blaming the customer is bad business. Teachers are the only employees who, on a regular basis, do that. But then most teachers do not realize they are employees. They believe, many of them, they are on a mission to undo what children learn from their parents.

[KevinDavis]

People wonder why companies is going overseas to look for employees.

[demkicker]

"The quality of public school education is inversely proportionate to the growth of the NEA. "

And isn't it a shame they've got total control over most public schools in our country? Unless the sheeple wake up and demand change and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, our little munchkins will be tomorrows homo lover intollerant leftists.

WAKE UP AMERICA! The commies said they'd take over the U.S. without firing a shot. Their weapon of choice is public education.

[Steel and Fire and Stone]

What a bunch ..

We get your message, but wasn't that "fruitcake" insult a little strong? Don't want to be intolerant now.. < g>

SFS

[JusPasenThru]

Yikes! All three of my children have gone through private schooling because of the indoctrinatioin issue, amoung others. Do you have any idea how much it costs to send a kid to a private school these days? Which is why the NEA will fight vouchers to the death.

[livius]

She was a brave woman, and I can't imagine how she survives in the world of government schools (and their unions).

Congratulations to you for doing the right thing and getting your kids out of that environment. The problem is that we all still have to pay taxes for schools that many of us cannot use.

[RonF]

My kids go to a large High School (> 3000 students) in the Chicago suburbs. Recently, the School Board announced that the GLBT organization there was being dissolved. Why? Because of a bigoted administration? No. Because of faculty harassment? No. Because of parental protest? No. Because of some politician trying to make an issue? No. Because of lack of interest. School organizations have to have a minimal membership. They went below the minimum last year, and (as per standard procedure) were put on warning. This year their membership didn't pick up, and they were dropped. They weren't being picked on; about 8 others, with no controversial issues invovled, were dropped at the same time. I thought that this was interesting. I can't figure that it's because there's no gay or lesbian kids at the school.

[Steely Glint]

"Are we concerned that US History is no longer taught with any emphasis?"

I am, it will be the downfall of the nation.

I know a lot of twenty-somethings. NONE of them were taught more than a smatering of U.S. history. One of them has a degree in history, yet didn't know who Andrew Jackson was, what he had done, or why he was significant.

Deprived of national context, deprived of an understanding of the Constitution, young Americans are now left adrift in an educational sea of Leftist/anti-American lies and propaganda.

History shows that socialism has failed dismally everywhere that it has ever been tried. History shows that free market capitalism is the most effective economic system ever developed.

But just try getting those two points taught in an American high school.

[nmh]

LIBERALism is intolerant.

[zook]

bump

[jackbill]

I have simple (perhaps simple-minded?) questions: What in the hell does homosexuality have to do with the three "R's"?

Perhaps a more relevant question would be: What in the hell does the NEA have to do with the three "R's"?

[CyberAnt]

There was a lawsuit against the NEA for using teachers donations for political purposes. The guy who started it is a friend of Rush's. His name slips my mind. Anybody know what happened with the lawsuit ..??

[reg45]

What in the hell does homosexuality have to do with the three "R's"?

Raunchy, Red Rumps!

[Gopher Broke]

Homosexuality has nothing to do with the 3 R's but neither does global warming or other issues upon which the NEA takes a position.

Folks, the NEA is not about helping kids or teachers...it is about advancing the LIBERAL agenda. Just like NOW and NAALCP, all about advancing the LIBERAL agenda.

If you are a conservative in these groups, you are UNWELCOME.

[eyespysomething]

you said a mouthfull

[Gopher Broke]

Two good alternatives to the liberal NEA:

Association of American Educators
Gary Beckner, Director
26012 Marguerite Parkway, #333
Mission Viejo, CA 92692 Liability Insurance - Yes
800-704-7799, 714-595-7979
http://www.aaeteachers.org
Email: info@aaeteachers.org

Christian Educators Association, International
Forrest Turpen, Director
P. O. Box 41300
Pasadena, CA 91114-8300 Liability Insurance - Yes
818-798-1124 or 888-798-1124
FAX 818-798-2346
http://www.ceai.org
E-mail: ceaieduca@aol.com

[twigs]

A friend of mine teaches abstinence in the schools here in the Philly area when she can. Several years ago, she and her colleagues made a presentation to a school committee about introducing their program in the Philly Public schools. Interestingly, the student representatives on the committee very much wanted the program. The openly gay man, although somewhat concerned about the Christian roots of the organization, was convinced that it would be a good program for the kids. Who absolutely refused? Said that the kids on the committee did not know what they needed? The teachers...