The Victimization of Public School Teachers in America

The assault on public school teachers’ integrity, livelihood, and professionalism started in 1983 with the publication of A Nation at Risk. Based on the results of our education system performance, they were indirectly accused of failing our children. It peaked in 2004, when Rod Paige, then George W. Bush’s secretary of education, called the country’s leading teachers union a “terrorist organization.” Teachers felt dehumanized then. In 2009, Barack Obama blamed them for “letting our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher quality fall short, and other nations outpace us.” Teachers felt let down again. In 2017, President Donald Trump lamented how “beautiful” students had been “deprived of all knowledge” by our nation’s cash-guzzling public school system. Teachers felt humiliated and rejected. Currently, in states like Florida, public school teachers are besieged by politically motivated laws and unrealistic demands from parents, politicians, and noneducation experts. They have lost their freedom to teach as they see fit to meet the needs of their students. Teachers feel more disrespected, devalued, unappreciated, and under attack than ever. The bad news is that a recent NEA survey revealed that 55 percent of currently employed teachers are seriously considering leaving their jobs. If that rate of resignations continues to grow, the question is, Will there be a public school system in America in the future?

Published by Fulton Books, Edouard’s book is a compelling read that explores how factors such as various political criticisms and increasing external pressures have contributed to a concerning trend of teacher discontent and potential future shortages. The Victimization of Public School Teachers in America is a call to recognize and address the issues undermining the teaching profession and to restore respect and support for educators who play a crucial role in shaping future generations.

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Emmanuel Edouard’s teaching journey started in 1980 as a Peace Corps  Volunteer in Mali at the Ecole Normale Supérieure du Mali. For twenty-five years he has been a Plan International representative directing, guiding, and training men and women serving poor communities in Africa, South America, and Central America.

In 2005, through AmeriCorps, Dr. Edouard became a NYC-certified teacher assigned to serve in the Bronx, New York City. For twelve years until his retirement, he provided services to children with disabilities.