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spedtr90

(719 posts)
Mon Oct 1, 2012, 08:28 PM Oct 2012

Questions about "Won't Back Down" movie

I decided to see this movie a couple days ago because sooner or later it's going to come up in a conversation or a union-bashing LTE in the local paper. Before the movie began there was an introduction by Michelle Rhee that mentioned her website (well, that should make viewers aware they are in for an indoctrination) and a "handout" the audience received. There was no handout where I saw it. Anyone go to the movie and receive a handout? Very curious as to what it contains.

In the movie Viola Davis's character is suspended by the principal and forced to leave the school or be arrested. I cannot remember the reason for the suspension - and it's driving me crazy! Anyone seen the movie and can help me out? Seemed very out of place in a movie preaching" teachers have a job for life after 2 years" and no one can touch them.

Got a laugh out of the parent who leads the drive to take over the school and get rid of the lousy teachers telling the TFA teacher, "You are a great teacher!" Yes, peeking in the classroom for 2 minutes is the best way to evaluate teachers. It's just that simple....

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Questions about "Won't Back Down" movie (Original Post) spedtr90 Oct 2012 OP
I haven't seen it but found a great review - that convinced me not to waste my money. proud2BlibKansan Oct 2012 #1
and the Shanker "quote" spedtr90 Oct 2012 #2
Actually, some unions do that. FBaggins Oct 2012 #3

proud2BlibKansan

(96,793 posts)
1. I haven't seen it but found a great review - that convinced me not to waste my money.
Tue Oct 2, 2012, 10:27 PM
Oct 2012

The part that I shook my head over is when they claim the teachers union bans the teachers from tutoring after school. I wonder if this particular union also tells its members when they should fold their laundry.

What union - ANYWHERE - tells its members what they can and can't do during their non working hours? That's just an insane claim.

Here's the review I mentioned: http://garyrubinstein.teachforus.org/2012/09/07/my-review-of-wont-back-down-spoiler-alert/

spedtr90

(719 posts)
2. and the Shanker "quote"
Wed Oct 3, 2012, 01:07 PM
Oct 2012

How can they get away with attributing a manufactured quote to an actual person?

There were so many things wrong - from little things like the drab hallways of the public school becoming filled with colorful art after the takeover, to major things like the absence of special education services - or at least the avoidance of any remedial programs for the main charaters' children.

People watch FOX "News" and accept it as truth. They bought Waiting for Superman without question. Glad to see a number of reviews that point out the propaganda.

FBaggins

(26,727 posts)
3. Actually, some unions do that.
Wed Oct 3, 2012, 03:30 PM
Oct 2012

You can't moonlight for pay in the same field. You would be competing with the union.

I don't know of any specific teachers union bans on the practice, but I do know that in some areas, you can hire a (certified teacher) tutor directly from the union (or sometimes from a for-profit subsidiary of the union). It wouldn't be a big stretch to imagine that those unions wouldn't allow their members to moonlight in competition with them (sometimes through the county schools).

It's also possible that the movie is (gasp!) lying. I haven't seen it, but I'd bet that if a union told its members not to provide unpaid after-school tutoring (which so many teachers do as a matter of course), that the producers of the film might spin that as a "ban on teachers tutoring after school".

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