I love, love, love my students- they are such bright, diverse, shining individuals. I am also a single mom of 2, one with Asperger Syndrome, and they both have gone through the system with few scars and their self-esteem intact. I know I'm lucky- blessed- to be in an exemplary school system that really does care about its children, but I also have taken the time as a parent to advocate for my kids and their particular needs. It takes a village, Lizzie- not just the teachers, many of whom are struggling parents, homeowners, folks like you and me.
Trying to organize all the teachers to subvert the system is a lot like herding cats. They are mostly doing their best, just doing their job, faced with the kids and the ridiculous national test requirements and the huge load of paperwork and the outrageous actions by idiot state officials- don't get me started on THAT front- and the idea that we could all just shout loudly with a united voice is a good thought, but one that takes more than words.