JC Bowman Archives - The Minnesota Sun

Flags Unfurled: Presley O’Bannon – Tripoli Hero to Marine Corps Legend

May 14, 2022May 13, 2022 Bethany Bowman

Growing up with the name O’Bannon I was vaguely aware that there was a famous person named Presley O’Bannon who was important in American History. When I got married 37 years ago to a Marine Corp veteran who has a degree in history, I was informed that not only was Presley O’Bannon an important figure in history, he was especially important to the Marines. The United States Marine Corps hymn opens with “From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles on the land and on the sea.” Presley O’Bannon was the man who led battles on the shores of Tripoli from whence the song lyrics came.

Data Show Public Sector Union Membership In Decline in the United States

April 30, 2022April 29, 2022 Susan Berry, PhD

Data available from state and local government payroll records – not readily available to the public – show “substantially steeper declines in public-sector union membership” in the United States.

“The best data available are state- and local-government payroll records,” Daniel DiSalvo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, wrote at City Journal Wednesday.

JC Bowman Commentary: Avoiding Holiday Conflict

November 23, 2018November 23, 2018 JC Bowman

During the holidays, our goal and objective is to have a peaceful gathering of family and friends. Peace is not lack of conflict, it is the ability to manage conflict by peaceful means. But is it possible to simply just avoid conflict when so many are outspoken about their beliefs? …

JC Bowman Commentary: A Few More Thoughts on Testing in Tennessee…

August 20, 2018August 19, 2018 JC Bowman

All stakeholders want to get testing right. However, the emphasis on testing misses the bigger issue: student academic growth measured by flawed testing. Then the results being used in educator evaluations. This is certainly more problematic to educators than the actual tests themselves.

JC Bowman Commentary: Testing is Open for Debate

August 19, 2018August 18, 2018 JC Bowman

Professional Educators of Tennessee raised the issue on Testing, with a hard-hitting editorial called the Trouble with Testing. Professional Educators of Tennessee did NOT support the use of that data on teacher evaluations, nor did they sign a support letter on the original grant submission., which the Tennessee Education Association did.

JC Bowman Commentary: Time to Separate PACS from Lobbying

August 11, 2018August 10, 2018 JC Bowman

Professional Educators of Tennessee will continue to lobby for public education. However, we will never endorse political parties or candidates as an organization on behalf of our members. We also do not have a PAC, nor do we plan to ever start one. It would harm our effectiveness. We must advance public education without the divisive tribalism of partisan politics, and we will only get involved in education related issues.

JC Bowman Commentary: Unions Are in Politics for Power, Money, and Influence

August 9, 2018August 8, 2018 JC Bowman

For groups like Professional Educators of Tennessee, it is simple. We must advance public education without the divisive tribalism of partisan politics, and we will only get involved in education related issues. The union never stops in its quest for power and control over public education.

Way Down Yonder in Maury County

August 2, 2018August 1, 2018 JC Bowman

Every budget tells a story—about your spending plan, priorities, goals, and financial health. What story are you telling your community about the importance of public education in your community? We understand that it is an election year and politics are driving the debate.

Rumor Control: Setting the Record Straight on PreK/Kindergarten Portfolios

July 31, 2018August 10, 2018 JC Bowman

Social media was hard at it this weekend over the PreK/Kindergarten Student Growth Portfolio Model. While Professional Educators of Tennessee is not sold on the portfolio process, it is the current law (see T.C.A. §§ 49-6-103–49-6-110). We believe the current portfolio system takes up too much time for our educators. …

Trevecca’s Shining Star: Dr. Suzann Harris

July 29, 2018July 28, 2018 JC Bowman

Professional Educators of Tennessee recognized Dr. Suzann “Suzie” Barker Harris with one of our prestigious “Friend of the Educator” Award. She is a shining star for Trevecca and a model for people of faith who is worthy of distinction to all educators.

JC Bowman Commentary: Exposed in a Technological Age

July 24, 2018July 23, 2018 JC Bowman

An old and wise saying challenges us to: “Believe nothing you hear, half of what you read, and some of what you see.” It is critical to examine issues from all angles, rejecting gossip, mistruths, bias or information not supported or misinterpreted. Put what you see or read into proper context to make sure what you think you are seeing is factual.

JC Bowman Commentary: Teachers Are Going, Going….Gone

July 22, 2018July 21, 2018 JC Bowman

JC Bowman writes: “Teacher turnover will eventually lead to a teacher shortage, if the supply of new teachers via traditional or alternative routes cannot keep up with the demand. Research indicates that high rates of turnover harm student achievement in schools and districts.”

JC Bowman: A Few Thoughts on Educational Assessment and Evaluation

July 20, 2018July 19, 2018 JC Bowman

The risk of misidentifying and mislabeling teacher performance based on test scores is too high for it to be the major indicator of teacher performance, especially when you look at issues such as student demographic characteristics. A number of states, including Michigan, have since taken steps to lessen the impact test scores have on teacher evaluations, repeatedly mentioning factors outside an educator’s control which can influence a student’s academic performance.

2018 TNReady Scores Show Mixed Results

July 19, 2018 JC Bowman

Students improved most in early grades reading, narrowed achievement gaps; show need for deeper, more sustained work to support improvement. Professional Educators of Tennessee added comments and concerns.

JC Bowman Commentary: On Combining the Departments of Education and Labor

July 18, 2018July 17, 2018 JC Bowman

President Trump’s concept to merge the U.S. Department of Education with the Department of Labor lacks significant details and will be difficult to maneuver through a deeply divided Congress.

JC Bowman Commentary: A Modern Approach to Educator Representation

July 14, 2018July 13, 2018 JC Bowman

Most educators are not buying into a more militant, progressive labor movement beholden to the far left. Educators nationally often spend hundreds, or sometimes even thousands of dollars per year on union dues. There are much more cost-effective alternatives, like Professional Educators of Tennessee. That is what makes groups like Professional Educators of Tennessee different. We offer a modern approach to educator representation, legal protection and unmatched educational advocacy, as well as promoting professionalism, collaboration and excellence without a partisan agenda. There are non-union alternatives for educators in other states as well. Nobody wants to return the 1950’s.

JC Bowman Commentary: Lives, Fortunes, and Honor

July 4, 2018July 3, 2018 JC Bowman

JC Bowman writes: Freedom should never be taken for granted. Today we are debating the very concept of what it means to be a citizen of the United States of America. While many citizens are very passionate about our country, others seem disillusioned and some openly hostile. It is why the Declaration of Independence is such an important document. It expresses what it means to be an American.

JC Bowman Commentary: SCOTUS Janus Decision Will Make Unions More Accountable to Their Members

June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 JC Bowman

The Janus Decision will not create drastic structural changes to unions. It will simply make them more accountable to their own members. And in the case of teacher unions, this greater accountability should focus on making the quality of education front and center, help public education rebuild support from the public for issues like raising teacher pay and school funding, and work for the common good of all students and educators.

JC Bowman Commentary: My Father’s Son

June 17, 2018June 16, 2018 JC Bowman

It is an ancient ritual of fathers and their children. The child yearning to grow into adulthood, and a father’s tough love. Mothers can be demanding, but they have that nurturing and caring side that escapes most men. Fathers try to instill discipline in order to help their children succeed in a heartless, often uncaring, world.

JC Bowman Commentary: Are You Called to Teach?

June 8, 2018June 7, 2018 JC Bowman

Teaching is indeed an imposing, self-sacrificing, but also a magnanimous calling. There is no other profession, except perhaps the clergy, that can change lives like a public-school teacher.

JC Bowman Commentary: Dark Money + Union Money = Corrupt Politics

May 31, 2018May 30, 2018 JC Bowman

This election cycle we have already seen an influx of unaccountable cash, known as dark money, which pours into our state. Outside money hurts more than it helps. Tennessee voters were not swayed by big spending outsiders. It is worth noting the message the outsiders bring is almost always negative. If you don’t think this is an erosion of democracy, you’re not thinking about it hard enough. The formula is simple: Dark Money + Union Money = Corrupt Politics

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