Generation Next
New teacher models public service for students as city council member
“Teaching in an alternative school is very rewarding because many of the kids have lost hope and when they see that they can succeed, it lightens up their eyes, and to realize that I am a part of helping these kids succeed makes my day.” James Ananich, Flint
When I was in elementary school, I
told my dad with no uncertainty
that “I was going to turn around Flint
when I got older.” He reminded me of
this when I was in college, pursuing a
bachelor’s degree in political economy.
What I didn’t know then was that I’d eventually become a seventh-grade social studies teacher, dedicated to helping students understand the importance of public service. Or that I’d model the importance of such service as an elected Flint City Council member.
Like a lot of our students, newer teachers don’t always engage politically. As a group, we rely on more senior teachers to work on school board races or to raise funds for political action.
I was tapped to co-chair my local association’s political action committee at my first representative assembly meeting of the 2005-06 school year. I was a little overwhelmed at first, because I knew that we had a school board election where we would elect up to five new members to the Flint board.
I wasn’t new to political action, though. After graduating from college, I worked on U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee’s successful re-election campaign. Then, I moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the National Indian Gaming Commission. Later, I took a job as a legislative assistant for Rep. Kildee, and eventually returned to Flint to work as his constituent relations aide.
But after working for Congressman Kildee for five years, I decided to become a secondary social studies teacher so that I could help students understand the value of public service. Though I had worked on various campaigns over the years, I was pleasantly surprised when my president tapped me to serve as PAC co-chair.
I initially thought, “What did I get myself into?”
But one day I realized that education is at a crossroads. From poor decisionmaking at the local level to a state funding crisis to the federal reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, political action is critical right now.
And, then I thought, “If I don’t get involved, who will?”
I poured myself into my political work for my union. Our political action committee recommended five new people for the board, a bold move for sure. If our candidates lost, we would have alienated a majority of the board.
The teachers in Flint worked polls, attended fundraisers, made phone calls. We sent literature to all MEA members— active and retired—living in Flint, and did an aggressive absentee ballot program.
The hard work paid off. Four of the five candidates we recommended won election—three with overwhelming majorities. Now, we have a new board that seems dedicated to working collectively to improve the district.
I’d like to encourage you to get politically involved. Our profession needs you—and you don’t have to serve as PAC co-chair, though you might be able to if you want. We need people with all kinds of skills. We need people who can give an hour—and people who can give more.
What can you do for your local association? For your community?
There is nothing we cannot accomplish when we stand strong together.