We're Nation Wide

Tomorrow, Tuesday October 5th I will be on The Bronx Teacher's radio program, The Mind Of A Bronx Teacher, at 9pm eastern time (that's 6pm west coast time).  We will discuss education reform, NBC's Education Nation, TFT's Miseducation Nation, and take questions from listeners.  Join us. We're bad. We're nation wide!


Listen to internet radio with Bronx Teacher on Blog Talk Radio

And now, ZZ Top:

Hey Arne....

NBC Rivals FOX For Least Honest Media Outlet: Updated

Education Nation has reset their Facebook Page default view to be that of EN only. In my conversation with NBC a week ago (I am thinking of publishing the email exchange, even though it's not too exiting) they said they would change that, and to their credit, they did. But now they have reverted back to censoring the site. The default view is back to EN only, they are blocking and banning people again, and they are removing posts.  Maybe it's because I refused to take down Miseducation Nation.  With 230 members, I am sure we present a threat to their 10,000 strong propaganda effort.  Or not.

It is painfully clear that NBC had a chance to provide all kinds of information to the public to counter the many misconceptions about tenure, unions, and what it's like on the ground in an impoverished school that doesn't have the backing of rich dude.  Instead it was a teacher-bashing extravaganza where the voice of teachers was represented by near-children who have 1 year of teaching under their belt, yet are portrayed as the voice of millions.  No, we experienced teachers cringed when we heard these young, naive newbies claim they don't want tenure because with it they can't stay late to help kids.  Seriously, she said that.  And she is the solution?

Education Nation won't return my emails. They know they have power, and they are using it to silence me and those who agree with me.

They are too big to care. They don't want a punk like me, or Anthony Cody, posting anything on their page that counters the narrative they have bought into--teachers create poverty, or something.

NBC has screwed this pooch. They are now as bad as FOX.

Update:  Here is a screenshot of their excuse:

NBC: Nurturers Of Ignorance

Wow, talk about an epic fail.

NBC's Education Nation's Facebook fiasco has become a sad commentary on what ails us.

There was a post by a typical Fox viewer over there who was saying things that were untrue, like tenure means a job for life, unions don't care about kids, the whole misinformed thing.

I responded to him in a comment explaining the truth.  He came back with an anecdote about something that didn't relate and I thought about him.  Then I thought about the fact that he was being read by NBC News.  I then left a comment saying NBC should read what this guy is saying and respond and set the record straight with some actual facts. I mean, if they are going to be a "news" organization they ought to spread the news, right?  And what better evidence their news-spreading talents were needed than that guy's comments.

Well, the poor guy took his post down, along with the comments, and sent me an email claiming he is not a country bumpkin. He was not too convincing. That's not fair of me. But he didn't indicate he was better informed than I had thought.

So here we have NBC News putting on a massive education summit where the uber-rich oligarchs that run the world will sell their bullshit to an ignorant public they are only to happy to keep ignorant.

Two words for you, NBC: Epic Fail

Education Nation: The Controversy: Updated

Anthony Cody, Gary Stager and I, among others were banned from Education Nation's Facebook page.

As a result I created Miseducation Nation to counter the one-sided perspective being pushed by NBC, Oprah and Waiting For Superman.

The admin of their page asked to talk to me about the banning and about my counter-page.  He called me tonight and we talked for a long time about the need for teachers to be an integral part of the conversation, especially since they have, by actions, made it clear that they think teachers are the problem.

He told me he didn't want it to seem that way and that they (NBC news) are not biased. I told him bias is as bias does, and they're pumping out pretty biased crap!  It was then quiet for a minute.

I told him, since he asked, that I would not take down my Miseducation Nation page. I told him if I see evidence that Education Nation is making their production more level--by un-banning all of us and letting us post as we choose, even if others complain--would prompt me to say something about that on Miseducation Nation.

Were you banned?  Leave a comment and I will see what I can do.

We shall see.

Update: Anthony, Gary and I are back, and Education Nation has set their wall default to show every post.  Good for them!