Now get on an airplane and fly to Chicago to meet with Karen Lewis. Learn from her. This dynamic woman has brains,guts and intelligence. Although we LA teachers are not steeped in the long, brutal history of midwest labor politics, we can learn much.

Lewis has to deal with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. He shares more than a passing resemblance to John Deasy. They both brought authoritative CEO brashness to their jobs. They both have tremendous faith in the increasingly ridiculed use of Data to drive instruction.

They both share capricious attitudes towards minority communities and the real poverty that surrounds them. They both rely on business leaders and Big Money Ed groups to give them the political and economic mandate they cite for their Top-Down directives.

Lewis does something UTLA has failed to do: Reach out to the local communities to demonstrate how teacher interests’ mirror those of their students. Our communities want GOOD things for their children: Small classes. Electives. Enrichment opportunities. For God’s sake, BRING THEM INTO OUR WORLD! Let’s help each other get the kids the education they deserve,

Offer the Deasy…