Teachers must WOKE this nation!

First realize, the red herring is the student loan forgiveness. Trust me they have no real intention of seeing this one through. But, it is giving them cover from the bigger questions about their policies. Something to remember every single one of them have supported policies that focused on testing and school choice scams. At the very least they were silent.

I am asking every rank and file member in AFT and NEA to email and call their leadership. Ask them to demand real K-12 questions about privatization, testing, Class size, and the increasing disrespect of our profession. 
What else can we do? Show up at every rally with signs, at every campaign stop, email, call every candidate's campaign office. We need to WOKE this nation before 2020.

We can't afford another decade of these demoralizing policies.
We can’t afford to be silent one more day,
Jesse The Walking Man Turner 

If you like to listen to the tune that inspired my walk this morning over the Avon Mountain...its Marvin Gay's 'What's Going on'... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPkM8F0sjSw

Big Debate Loser MSNBC

I have watch Joe Scarborough and actually everyone on MSNBC promote education policy reforms that have demoralized public school teachers, and devastated Black, Brown, and Poor Schools for over a decade.

I have watch them with straight faces promote charter schools, school choice without equity policies, cheered on Arne Duncan at every step of the way.

I have watch School Choice Advocate for ten years now. I find these choice c pushers, remind me of those old Eugenics Progressives their stances are deeply rooted in poverty is a choice, inequity is a choice, and all people of color need to do is make the choice not to victims of racism, hate, and discrimination. Trust us, all we want is to help people of color make the right choice.

Maybe, I have it wrong, but this is the way I have come to view them after a decade of their love affair with Michelle Rhee, Arne Duncan, TFA, and Charter Schools.

The only one acceptable choice today. That choice is genuine equity for all our children in all our public schools. Anything else, well that just RACISM 101.


Simple truth,
Dr. Jesse P. Turner
Save Our Schools March

If you like to listen to the song that inspired my walk this morning its Buffalo Springfield's "What's that sound" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp5JCrSXkJY

The books that carry us

We carry the things we find in the books we read, they wait for just the right moment to bind us to...who we are, where we are going, and where we will stand in that final moment.

John Steinbeck's words in his novel "East of Eden:" found me in my 21 first year. My heroes have always been teachers and librarians. I spent many of my early years visiting that old library on Grove Street in Jersey City. I knew it had treasure to mine.
That same Library Lady who shared her cookies, and hot chocolate pointed me to many a treasure from 10-29. She was with me when I was a homeless child, and when I had grown to become a young university scholar. She knew me at 10, and knew me better at 21.

I was a younger scholar than I am today. But young or old, like any prospector for gold I know it, when I find it.
I remember it, like it happened five minutes ago. My Library Lady, said young Jess, have you read East of Eden?
She opened that book, and read these words:

"I believe that there is one story in the world, and only one, that has frightened and inspired us, so that we live in a Pearl White serial of continuing thought and wonder. Humans are caught - in their lives, in their thoughts, in their hungers and ambitions, in their avarice and cruelty, and in their kindness and generosity too - in a net of good and evil. I think this is the only story we have and that it occurs on all levels of feeling and intelligence. Virtue and vice were warp and woof of our first consciousness, and they will be the fabric of our last, and this despite any changes we may impose on field and river and mountain, on economy and manners. there is no other story. A man, after he has brushed off the dust and chips of life, will have left only the hard, clean questions: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well - or ill?”

As soon as she read those words. I knew, exactly where I wanted to stand for the rest of my days. She know how to hook readers, and she had had my number since I was 10. Some misguided people think Librarians look after books. I know better, they are always looking after human beings.

My plan, since that day has always been to answer...
I may stumble from time to time, but each time I shall manage to brush off that dust and chips of life...
I have been homeless,
I have been hungry,
I have been broken,
I have been beaten bloody,
I have been lost,
I have failed,
I have been humbled.
But, I have these treasures, dug from books I carry everywhere.
These books, friends leaves me knowing.
That on my last night,
I shall, stand tall, look up at that Moon in that final dark night...Certain that from young Jesse to old Jesse to Jesse no more, that my answer will always be It was good. Make it good people.
I have found my soul in books,
Dr. Jesse P. Turner
Central Connecticut State Literacy Center Director

If you are interested in listening to the tune that inspired my morning walk today...its Change The World by Eric Clapton > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntzQiaFzOQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kntzQiaFzOQ <

Defending Our Libraries

Just a follow up on my library post, this is the link to the actual radio show... 103.5 FM Radio Show: "Our libraries". I hope you will take the time to listen to the show. It is not only our public schools in danger, but our public libraries. Listen to Defending our libraries, our sacred cultural Temples how at WNHH 103.5
Truth to power teachers and librarians are the canaries in the coal minds of our of communities. And, we are screaming out a warning at the top of our lungs...our libraries in our Black, Brown, Immigrant, and Poor communities are in danger.
Worth a watch: Link to show: /www.facebook.com/NewHavenIndependent/videos/463376571094981/UzpfSTUzNzk5OTAxNzoxMDE1ODQ5OTI1NzE1OTAxOA/ …
A simple Walking Man Truth to Power: Teachers & Librarians are America's canaries screaming in coal mines of humanity...
Fight the power, Dr. Jesse P. Turner Moral Monday Connecticut Education Ambassador If you are wondering what tune this Walking Man was listening to this morning on the drive down to the Tom Fricklin show...its the cover of Teach your Children Well by Play for Change... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AuFDHdrrg

Defending Our Scared Cultural Capitals, Our Libraries

What's The Buzz?
What's Happening?
Tom Ficklin is giving up his spot for one day in the name of love for New Haven's Libraries. Tell us more?
It’s a one day Special 103.5 NHNN Radio show
"Defending Our Scared Cultural Capitals, Our Libraries" When 6/24/19 10:AM
Who are these defenders?
They are highly respected are: A beloved community librarian, and a well-respected retire school librarians, and two of Connecticut’s well-known Social Justice Academics. They are our canaries in the coal mine of our humanity. They are screaming out a warning our libraries are in danger. If, we lose our libraries we lose the very soul of our communities and our nation.
Guest Host: Dr. Jesse P. Turner Professor of Literacy and Connecticut Moral Monday Education Ambassador.
Tell us about your Guests? Well they are two highly respected librarians of color, and one radical academic. I’ll refer to them as Defenders of our libraries, and our Cultural Capital

Lauren Anderson is an Associate Professor of Education, with a PhD in Urban Schooling and focus on critical literacy, curriculum and instruction, and teacher education. She is an advocate for public education and public libraries.

Diane Brown, is a beloved, award-winning New Haven Free Public Library librarian. Diane has spent the last 13 years as branch manager of the Stetson Branch, which is celebrated for its programming, and overall responsiveness to the community.

Robert Gibson, he is a well-respected retired New Haven public school teacher and librarian who spent 35 years at Hillhouse High School. Robert remains active as an advocate for public education and public libraries.

Homework, or thoughts to ponder for until Monday comes!

What was the role of our public libraries in the past ~ why did we build them?
What is their current state?
Why do we need to defend libraries in our communities and public schools? Libraries matter; do they matter more in communities of color?
Does (location/income) race and poverty play a role in how public libraries are funded? As librarians and academics are there particular concerns about public libraries in the future?
What is the economic and cultural impact of closing school libraries, and our community libraries to our our communities and our city?

Tune in people, because we are bringing our best game, our passion, courage, and truths on Monday

Isaac Asimov said: “When I read about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that American society has found one more way to destroy itself.”

If you are wondering what inspired my walk over the Avon Mountain this morning..it was my love for our libraries, and the tune I listened to was Bob Marley's "Stir it Up" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3UqvWk8-uw

Facebook, Does kindness offend thee, or can't you shake off those rigor and grit blues

Dear Facebook, this is that old Literacy Professor calling you again about those so called Facebook Community Standards again.
It appear these this words in my post violated your community standards"
" This is a Walking Man SOS people, spread the word! 
Take your Grit, Rigor and you know what Ed Reform Scammers. We want the hundreds of billions you spent on that BS Grit crap! Perhaps the BS Grit Crap words ?
Perhaps it is the words Ed Reformer Scammers?
Or perhaps it just the idea of  A Tedx about teaching children the power of kindness offend thee?
Maybe teaching them kindness might offset their consumer driven algorithms?

People you have to take 12 minutes to watch the Barry Lane TEDxCCSU talk about teaching kindness to our children. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzimmQaLzo8 <

Now, good people spread the word watch Barry's TEDx talk, because it is Kindness, not grit and rigor our children in our public schools need today.
Fight the power,
Dr. Jesse P. Turner
Moral Monday Connecticut Education Ambassador

In case you want to listen to the song that inspired my walk in the rain this morning...its Barry Lane's know your higher self.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-i872w3D2w

Radical Old Literacy Professor here 

This Literacy Professor is going with Barry Lane's try a little kindness.

Message in a bottle to these 2020 Democratic Candidates 4 President

Maybe, it's just me?

Maybe, I'm just not bright enough?

Maybe, I just can't see right?

But, most of these 20 and counting Democrats running for President sound like they'll fine with the education reforms of the past 20 years.

May, it's just me?

Maybe, I'm just not bright enough?

Maybe, I just can't see right?

Maybe these boys and girls need a quick study in

understanding,

That we teachers and parents are not fine with the crap these people supported for 20 years.

Want our vote, get on board, but accept that none of your education reforms were alright with us,

While, Wall Street loved them, we teachers and parents hated them.

Don't fret, my mind is opened,

While you were busy listening to CEOs,

I walked 400 miles twice from CT to DC protesting your reforms,

I joined two United State Department of Education Occupies with United Opt Out,

I'm the kind of not too bright person you might just need to listen to get our votes,

Don't worry, I'm not leaving you out on a ledge,

I'm a teacher,

I have a quick study guide for you.

No more high-stakes testing,

No more school choice without equity,

No more class sizes don't matter,

No more closing local public schools in Black, Brown, and Poor communities.

No more teachers get paid too much talk,

No more teacher pensions are too costly,

No more teacher health care costs are too high,

No more teachers have it easy talk.

No more get rid of recess,

No more poor children need rigor nonsense,

No more poor children need tough love crap,

No, more data walls,

No more blended learning talk,

No more let poor schools compete against each,

No more poor schools need to do more with less foolish talk,

No more computer based intervention programs,

No more, giving CEOs control of our public schools,

No more giving billions of our tax dollars to "For profit entities" to open charter schools,

No more virtual scams schools,

No more voucher scams,

No more accepting campaign contributions from Ed reformers bent on dismantling our public schools,

No more of just about every education reform scam you supported for the past twenty years.

Finally, I want a massive amount of money to help bring back those over 300,000 teachers, many of them teachers of color, your Ed Reforms force out of teaching.

Can't do that, well then you can't have this not bright enough, can't see it "Teacher's Vote!

My message in a bottle,
Jesse The "No More" Teacher

PS: I want those social workers, librarians, counselors, nurses, para-professionals, school custodians, and other specialized staff back as well. Don't even dare ask how will we pay for it?

You can start by taking back that trillion dollar tax gift you gave to our nation's billionaires and millionaires. 

If you want to listen to the song I listened to on my morning walk today...its Sting 'Message in a bottle" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2o4zxtqNZ4

Facebook Community Standards and the 2019 True Teacher Education Activist

I decided, to write a Facebook post about the June 10, 2019 the New Haven Public School Advocates call for people to come attend the Board of Education Meeting to speak up against cutting more teachers. Once again, Facebook has decided a Education Activist Literacy Professor is too much to handle. Perhaps, telling parents and teachers to stand up and fight back against these school budget cuts is just too radical for Facebook.
Maybe using the words fight back, is too much for Facebook. Or maybe I tagged the wrong people. Or maybe a Literacy Professor who not only defends his students and teachers in the school house, but outside is too much for Facebook to handle. Either way this True Teacher can't be silence!
I let my reader decide

So connecticut, it is that time of year again, when public schools in Black, Brown, and Poor Communities when cities announced layoffs, school closings, and cut librarians, special education and reading teachers, social workers, and after school programs. Maybe cut a few more art and music teachers. After all poor children don't need smaller class sizes, specialized support staff, or art and music...these things are for our more White schools, our more wealthy schools. Every education reformer know poor kids need test prep, and little else. They are already behind, and they don't have time for frills. Test prep for the poor, and the world for our Wealthy White Public Schools. Give those Black, Brown, and Poor kds that tough love.  

Why, are the cuts always in poor communities?
Because, someone has to pay for this regressive income tax that rewards the wealthy by asking them to pay less, and punishes the poor by demanding they pay more. It's an old scam, hurt the ones who can't fight back, rewards the one who write the big checks to your campaigns.

It's the heart of Systemic Racism. See the truth if if we don't fight back we lose. 
Fight back, New Haven parents
Fight back, New Haven teachers,
Fight back, New Haven students,
If, you don't fight back, you can't win.
Fight BACK, Dr. Jesse P. Turner 
Moral Monday Connecticut Ambassador

If you like to listen to the beat I listened to on my walk this morning, its all Hip Hop today, there is a f bomb drop once or twice in B-Mor7 "This is America" https://soundcloud.com/b-mor-seven/reflect-this-is-america-part-ii  

Facebook, Here we go again with violating community standards thing

Well, readers once again my Facebook post is under review for possibly violating Facebook Community Standards. What is it that cause this...Perhaps it's because I am saying No More to public education reform policies that are harming our children, their teachers, public schools and communities. Or maybe I did use the word 'Guns," it was in the context of "No More Guns".
Well, who knows, here is post:

 I walked, 400 miles in 2010,
We marched in 2011 with SOS,
We march with BATS multiple times in DC, and
In 2013 and 2014 United Opt Out occupied the United State Department of Education twice.
I walked in 2015,
Rev Barber, Bishop Selders, Barbara Madeloni, SOS, BATS, and UOO Marched on the Lincoln Memorial in 2015 as well.
In 2016 the women marched.
IN 2017, 18, AND 19, teachers walked out in states on the East Coast, West Cost, in the middle, North and South in America,
Isn't it time we all march out!

To my Rank and File sisters and brothers, I have this burning question in between our union business of the day.
AFT and BATs study showed how stress teachers are.
How is it our teacher unions are not organizing a march on Betsey DeVos's United States Department of shame?
Why are our rank and file leaders not organizing marches and occupations of the United States Department of Education?
Why are we not occupying this Secretary of Education, whose says she won't protect all children, but she is fine with money for guns for teachers YEAH?

Come this fall even if I am the only Rank And File Member,
I am walking into that United States Department of Education, Laying this body down in the doorway.
Saying no more:
School choice without equity,
No more high-stakes testing,
No more Charter school scams,
No more Wall Street privatization scams,
No more can't fund wrap around services,
No more closing schools in communities of color,
No more can't fund art, music, librarians, counselors, social workers,
No more, we can't fund real reading specialists and Special Education teachers,
No more we can't give our children, their teachers and schools the resources they need.
No more teachers with guns.

I know who I am,
I know where I stand,
I am not tired,
I am not beaten,
I am leaving,
I am staying,
I am a teacher who knows exactly where I stand.
I stand with our public school children whose voices have been silence,
I stand with parents of color, who are not asking for more, Only asking for the same resources America has always given the rich White kids get in their public schools.
I stand with our older and younger teachers who are being humiliated and push out of our profession.,
not because they can't teach,
But because they can't be quiet.

Who Am I?
I am Jesse The Walking Man Turner, re-framing myself.
Form now on I call me the NO MORE MAN,
A No More Man, ready to occupy that house of shame 'The United States Department of Education.
Come this fall expect, this No More Man to show up at Betsey's House of Shame,

Looking for 12, "No More" Activists,
But, I can go it alone.
If need be, because,
I am The No More Man!

Respectfully,
Dr. Jesse. P. Turner
CSU-AAUP Connecticut State Due Justice Liaison

If you want to listen to the song that inspired my walk today...its Public Enemy Fight the Power https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk

Interesting Facebook thinks this one goes against their community standards

Interestingly, I posted this on Facebook this morning, and got a message from Facebook that my post goes against their community standards.
I find it, somewhat amusing that a University Literacy Professor's post on literacy and racism violates Facebook Community Standards. My more cynical mind has me thinking perhaps the status quo prefers a more sterile kind of literacy. Maybe even an effort to keep people ignorant.
Well, anyway here is my may violate Facebook Community Standards on Literacy and Race.

Malcolm X said: “People don't realize how a man's whole life can be changed by one book.”

What would you need to do to keep a race down?
What would a hidden curriculum of oppression look like?

First, keep books out of the hands of people, close their libraries and bookstores in their communities. Close school libraries, or build schools without libraries.
Turn school literacy lessons into pieces of fragmented texts focused on non-fiction texts only. Understand that narrative inspires, narratives lift, and narratives change lives. Access to narratives must be limited at best.
Turn literacy into lessons you learn without real books. Turn literacy into a chore. Do everything you can to make learning to read as bland as possible. Focus on workplace literacy, never let readers know books transform our lives and the world. Keep it simple, teach just enough to lock learners into low paying jobs.

Keep great books out of the hands of readers. Tell them everything you need to read is online. Give students Chrome books. You would not want people walking around with real books in their hands, reading them in public, on trains, buses, and on their front steps in their neighborhoods.

Focus on endless standardized testing and test prep. Isolate learning into reading, writing, and math drill and kill lessons.
What would you need to do to turn your policies into a racist dream curriculum?
Exactly what America has done to literacy in our Black, Brown, and poor communities.
These Ed Reformers are no reformers, they are the new slave merchants,
Dr. Jesse P. Turner
Central Connecticut State University Literacy Center Director
Moral Monday CT Education Ambassador

If you want to listen to the tune that inspired my walk this morning over the mountain...it's Gil Scott-Heron - 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised' https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=71&v=qGaoXAwl9kw