I'm being interviewed for a fluffy feature article today--but I intend to go to a very dark place.

[Snoutport]

Today should be a very interesting day. A big paper here (1.4 million circulation) is interviewing me for one of those "local teacher does good" articles (I will be interviewed later this month by a respected magazine as well). I am hoping to take this opportunity to go over all the cuts I have seen in the local districts over the past year. Special Education has been especially hard-targeted and today is the day I am taking my argument to the people.

I think they are expecting an article that is about a really swell teacher who uses his free time to help the disadvantaged. What they are going to get is an article about how this teacher has had to give up his free time in order to try and make up for all the cuts that the legislature keeps throwing at us.

I must admit, I am a bit sick to my stomach thinking about it but I feel I have no choice. This very well could put me under fire by my district but what else can I do? My hard work has put me into the spotlight and my choice is simple. Either I could use the opportunity to be patted on the back and fussed over or I can use the opportunity to try and better things for the students in the state I live.

So, today in my interview, I intend to go head-to-head with the legislators who have tried so hard to take away the education my students deserve.

OK...I'm off to do some severely needed grooming and ironing. Wish me luck. :0)

[RKP5637]

1. Good Luck!!!

:) :) :) :) :)

[Snoutport]

39. Thanks!

[Snoutport]

40. UPDATE: OMG.....

So, I am running early, had some coffee, read some news, I'm going to meet with my supervisor before I go to the interview to give her a heads up. She's a great co-worker and deserves that respect.

So, I'm about to head out the door and I looked in the mirror for a fashion check. OOPS. I'm so worked up and nervous that while I was shaving (in the shower) I thought, "I should shave my neck" so did that too. WELL... seems I never went back to shaving my face.

I was standing next to the front door, looked in the mirror and realized I had not shaved the left side of my face. Seriously. I ALMOST walked out the door with a half-shaved face.

Ai yi yi..... that was close.

The good side is, when I went to get my shirt, my nice hubby had already ironed it for me. :0)

[Ready4Change]

73. Heheh!

Hope it all works out well.

[Poll_Blind]

2. Good luck! And part of a story like this is always the challenges you overcame.

So the cuts will fit naturally into it as obstacles which allowed you to achieve these good things.

PB

[LeftishBrit]

3. Good luck, and solidarity from across the pond!

[renate]

4. good for you! on both counts!

Congratulations on being so awesome you're getting a story written about you (and the magazine article too), and good for you for using this opportunity so well.

I understand your being sick to your stomach, but you've always done so much for your students--just remember that this is for them, and for your fellow unappreciated teachers. I'm nervous, and excited, for you and I can't wait to read your story! P.S. I have to guess that the reporter is going to be pretty stoked that you will be feeding her/him some raw meat as well as the feel-good stuff. They're going to want their article to be talked about, so she/he is probably going to be on your side from the moment you start to speak.

Good luck!

[Snoutport]

11. Thank Renate!

I needed the pep-talk. I have all these talking points running through my head and I'm struggling to make sure that I can keep them all straight.

I have to ask...is that a pancake?

[starroute]

44. It's a dorayaki -- a Japanese pancake-like thing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolong_%28rabbit%29

Oolong (ウーロン Ūron?) (July 28, 1994 – January 7, 2003), named after the oolong variety of tea, was a domestic rabbit owned by photographer Hironori Akutagawa. The rabbit was famous for his ability to balance a variety of objects on his head.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorayaki

[slackmaster]

5. Awesome! Give them Hell.

:kick:

[H2O Man]

6. Tell the truth.

You'll do fine!

[vanbean]

28. That is good advice. As Gerry Spence said, "If you have truth on your side,

you will win every argument." Hats off, H2O Man!
:hi:

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. Read Chomsky's new article on education he wrote yesterday

It might help you get some ideas for that dark place. in that interview you give.

And good for you and good luck


Link to Chomsky here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x619282

[Snoutport]

12. Thank you for that!

I'm ready to go at Teach for America too.
ANd charter schools.
And Bill Gates and Rupert Murdoch for looking at education as the last great financial frontier.

sigh...this might be a long article...or so heavily edited i say "hello" and "goodbye". :0)

[Chan790]

94. Unfortunately, more likely the second.

My best friend used to be a city-reporter for a smallish paper...they beat into her head "fluff articles will be fluffy and happy or not run at all."

Literally, the newspaper has a concept of this article and what they want from the writer; it fills a role for them in the space of the page: "a feel-good story". If you go off the reservation, they might edit you down to nothing, kill the story altogether or be interested enough that they shift gears and go with what you give them.

Don't be surprised by any of those. I'm not telling you that to discourage you, but just so you don't get your hopes up only to be dashed when the paper runs "local educator gives free-time to help disadvantaged kids" and cuts your objections to one passing sentence below the fold like "Mr. Snoutport has strong opinions on the state of education."

[LuckyLib]

8. Tell it like it is. Our nation is famous for speaking for teachers while not letting them

have a voice. Go for it. Teachers are subsidizing a deteriorating system and in turn blamed for the struggles of communities, families, and children.

[Snoutport]

43. Exactly. I wrote an op ed against the pro piece on special ed cuts they were running

they passed on it and let the pro cut piece run unopposed.

[Warpy]

9. Then it will be a very short article

because if they want fluff, the editor will simply strike the rest out. You can try, of course, but my suggestion is to go for a scalpel instead of a bludgeon when you describe why you have to do what you're doing.

However, congratulations on a job well done!

[SlimJimmy]

46. That's my advice too. If the reporter/editor gets the feeling

that you are trying to vent on them, they will whittle the article down to nothing but air. Take that good advise and use a scalpel, not a bludgeon.

[BackToThe60s]

71. That was my thought, too

But it's the paper's EDITOR he has to worry about. The writer would probably be THRILLED to have a soft story morph into hard news.

[jtown1123]

10. That's awesome! The pilot who landed on the Hudson River did a similar thing

when he was interviewed by a Congressional Committee. He was just going to accept an award but then ripped into the airlines industry how they were taking advantage of their workers and paying shitty wages...hey, Michael Moore picked it up! Good luck.

[Pale Blue Dot]

13. We need more like you.

I'm a teacher in a major U.S. city. Please send me a link to the article when you have it - PM me if you want.

:thumbsup:

[SusanaMontana41]

32. We need more like both of you! Thanks for everything. n/t

[malaise]

14. Good luck

:fistbump:

[Chimichurri]

15. goodb luck!

[FourScore]

16. Good luck, Snoutport!

:) :toast: :bounce: :beer: :thumbsup: :hi: :kick: :hug: :grouphug: :pals: :fistbump: :headbang: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause: :popcorn: :patriot:

[FredStembottom]

17. Behind you 100%!

More and more people should follow your courageous, wonderful example.

It's time to use our Free Speech freely.

None of us will ever intentionally get interviewed about the deadly serious issues squashing our families.

This is one of the techniques I've envisioned for my imaginary, brave, strong ideal American President (as opposed to the empty suits we actually get):
Accept the interview invite every time - then make it about what needs to be said, no matter what the original invite was about.

[Scuba]

18. Thank you for speaking out against the dismantling of our education system...

...by the Republican pukes. We here in Wisconsin need to take advantage of every opportunity to speak out.

[Snoutport]

30. Hey Wisconsin! You guys are my hero today!!

I can't wait for election results. My faith is in you!

[Scuba]

42. Thanks. If the Repukes haven't rigged the elections, I think we'll flip the Senate. n/t

[Snoutport]

74. I'm worried about rigging.... :o( my faith in our elections has been undermined

[Pharaoh]

80. speak your truth.......

and let God sort it out.

That is all you can do.

And thank you for speaking for millions of your fellow human beings

:toast:

[FredStembottom]

19. And please give a re-cap later,

if you wish. Waiting to hear.

[hootinholler]

20. Ironing?

Surely you're not old enough to need ironing?

-Hoot

[Snoutport]

21. a shirt...not me

I don't need ironing yet...though, some starch might give me better posture!

[Shagbark Hickory]

22. Please try to get the secret word "tree" included in the article. It'll be a secret shoutout to DU.

[Snoutport]

25. really?

[Shagbark Hickory]

27. Yes please

Please do it.
We will all know you're saying "hi" to us by using the word "tree"

[Snoutport]

33. I didn't know about that!

ALright....but you might have to settle for "trees"...

[Shagbark Hickory]

45. That's perfectly acceptable.

Just let us know where to read the article

[Marcel]

92. What Shagbark Hickory said. Please post a link.

On an unrelated note, do you know someone named Rosalind van Hoorn?

[madfloridian]

23. Best to you.

Have a great interview, and thanks for speaking up for public education.

[salin]

24. Do well!

your hands (and words) are highly capable so not wishing you luck (as that would say chance is involved) and instead ... do well! For educators everywhere - we say thank you!

[WinkyDink]

26. Go tell it, Snoutport!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

29. Bring it, my dear Snoutport!

I'm really proud of you...

I know you'll do well, sweetie...

:hug:

[Snoutport]

41. I almost left with a half-shaved face...i got distracted and forgot to finish!!

[no_hypocrisy]

31. I'm proud of you.

[Vanje]

34. Tell it!

Thankyou, and Congratulations.

[badhair77]

35. Good for you, Snoutport.

Thanks for taking one for the team. I'm anxiously awaiting your report on their reaction.

[greytdemocrat]

36. Good Luck!!!

Show them who you really are!!!

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[susanr516]

38. Good luck, Snoutport! nt

[Citizen Worker]

47. Tell it the way you see it. Most of all, have fun!

[barbtries]

48. i'll be with you

as you do this snoutport. will we be able to read the article? please keep us posted on it.

[lunatica]

49. I'm sending you all my bestest vibes!

And congratulations on being singled out as a great teacher!

[tomg]

50. From this teacher

Congratulations. When you feel sick to your stomach in a situation like this, you know you are doing the right thing.

[LaValle]

51. Be Sure To Post A Link nt.

[spooked911]

52. good for you-- it's the right thing. Best of luck!!!

[a simple pattern]

53. Yay Snoutport!

Tear it up!

[Wait Wut]

You'll do GREAT!

But, break a leg, anyway!

And...many, many thanks for your service!!! :patriot:

[Bulletin Justin]

54. Thank You!!!

Congratulations to you for be recognized for your hard work. And thank you for your courage in standing up for your beliefs on behalf of those who do not get the opportunity to have their voices heard.

[russspeakeasy]

55. Best of luck...

[grahamhgreen]

56. Do it, and stay on point - do not give them any fluff to print!

[Beavker]

57. Give 'em Hell.

Folks need to see the that the kind hearted, giving, caring, loveable, salt of the Earth types start showing that this stuff effects them. Even the mild mannered and tempered have a breaking point. I think the GOP wins so many arguments because by nature they are assholes and don't care who they hurt if they get what they want (sociopathic), while many on the left by nature aren't that 'pushy', violent or aggressive so we get taken advantage of.

I never used to post things to my Facebook page that might seem Political or especially that would show me as a Liberal...now I go for it. I just don't care. Most of the people that post Right wing stuff doen't even know what they are posting...it just sounds good. "YEAH MAN! DOWN WITH TAXES!" So I'll post shit that has thought behind it, and articles from people that are smarter than I that would be able to put the right wing thought machine in it's place.

[Yooperman]

58. Good Luck and Thank you....

If you are able to do so... please post a link to the newspaper article.

:toast:

[yellerpup]

59. The very best of luck to you!

Go git 'em, gal! :applause:

[Better Believe It]

60. Good luck and do well!

[onethatcares]

61. my best thoughts are with you

give em hell tiger. :hi:

[Enthusiast]

62. I hope things went well, Snoutport. nt

[wakemewhenitsover]

63. Give 'em hell, Snout!

:yourock:

[MouseFitzgerald]

64. Awesome

I would specifically get into the whole "charter school/privitization" theme that is really the major problem in education.

[Daphne08]

65. Best of Luck!

I'm a former educator myself who tried "bucking the system" a few years ago.

The point is... TO TRY! The public should be educated about what is really happening to our educational system in America.

[Pooka Fey]

66. Good luck!

[shireen]

67. please post the article when it's published

And good luck!

:yourock:

[stormpilot]

68. You're a brave soul - best wishes

on getting the message out. You'll do great!

[truedelphi]

69. Can't add more than what everyone else is saying.

Best of success to you.

I really do think people need the issue at hand discussed and then discussed some more.

Why has the "austerity" program only affected the working class? Our schools and libraries are running on fumes. Meanwhile the billionaires got Christmas bonuses worth millions for screwing the economy over. Why!?!

[MissDeeds]

70. Hope all went well, Snoutport

Can't wait to read your follow up!

K&R

[TNLib]

72. Good Luck!!!

nt

[Snoutport]

75. UPDATE...I'm HOME and it went great!

It was a really nice interview. I wasn't confrontational but made sure I got through on many levels how damaging the education budget cuts have been. I was charming (I think) witty (I think) and, if nothing else, I had a perfectly ironed shirt (thanks hubby!)

They are setting up my date with the photographer and then, hopefully, people in my state will see how hard we teachers are working despite the budget cuts and despite the constant attacks against teachers and education.

[MissDeeds]

76. Yea!

If you're pleased with it, it went well. As a life long educator myself, thanks a million for standing up for education.

:yourock:

[Chorophyll]

77. I've no doubt you did great! Good for you!

[cordelia]

78. Glad to hear it.

I'm sure it went well.

Kudos!

[Curmudgeoness]

79. I hope they do you justice. You did good. nt

[Moosepoop]

84. Now just don't forget to shave before your photography session!

:P

Congrats on the interview going so well! I'm sure you were both charming and witty -- you always are here at DU!!

[DirkGently]

87. Congrats on a great display of personal backbone, SP. Nothing fluffy going on in education.

[pengillian101]

88. Glad it went well!

Got a link? Thanks, would love to see it.

[renate]

89. Good for you!

I can't wait to read the story--and the picture with your thoroughly shaved face and ironed shirt!

You did good!

:applause:

[OneGrassRoot]

95. Go you! :) K&R n/t

[florida08]

97. alrighty then..

Sounds perfect. Ya done good..but then that's why you were chosen in the first place :fistbump: Wrinkle free shirts are important. :)

[orbitalman]

81. K & R

[MrMickeysMom]

82. Be the ball...

Nah-nah-nah=nah-nah-nah-nah...

[moblsv]

83. you have an iron?

You educators are so overpaid. Give 'em hell!!

[patrice]

85. Good on you!

[JournalistKev87]

86. Glad it went well

and I hope the article turns out the way you want it. If it doesn't, let's try harder to get it out there. I know you'll be a great pioneer in the education battle.

[midnight]

90. K&R

[Control-Z]

91. I hope they write your story,

and run it, just as you tell it.

Good luck tomorrow!

[florida08]

93. get your pat on the back

Let them give you accolades..you earned them. Keep that in mind. It's about them. Let it come naturally..it will. Peace of mind is in music. You have a good heart
:hi:

[Courtesy Flush]

96. Don't underestimate their ability

to take your comments and still write a breezy fluff piece with them.

Here's how you take something serious and fluff it up (may not register if you're not a fan of Breaking Bad).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtZpo89mmJo&feature=player_embedded

[mistertrickster]

98. PORTIA: I never did repent for doing good, Nor shall not now

from The Merchant of Venice.

[jimmil]

99. I hope you don't really think

That what you said will be in an article. Many of the same words may be but what you said, what was meant, will never make it into the article. Sorry to tell you this but you aren't that interesting. When the story comes out you will be scratching your head and wondering who they are talking about.

[Left coast liberal]

100. My hat is off to you. You got get 'em, Tiger!

[rhett o rick]

101. I agree with Jimmil in post #99. I think you will be surprised with what actually ends up in

the article. I do wish you the best. Rec.

[kpete]

102. thank you

for being YOU!
TEACHERS RULE!!!

peace, kpete

[NOLALady]

103. Break a leg!

[lizziegrace]

104. My mother's dearest friend is a teacher in Portland

I told her about the upcoming article. She's watching for it to hit the paper.

[XemaSab]

105. So did the article come out?

:shrug: