A teacher friend of mine sent the article below which I think is in a restricted (members only) area of the South Dakota Education Association’s website.

As I’ve noted earlier, it appears the South Dakota GOP and now, apparently, the national Republican Party, are specifically targeting Republican SDEA (and other teachers union) members.  As a Democratic activist, I find this alarming—and an excellent strategy that my opponents have implemented.

I hope my party can devise a way to counter the poaching—and find ways to poach some of the GOP’s core constituencies such as the business community.

Here’s the material from the SDEA website targeting Republican SDEA members:  

The Elephant Educators Forum is an on-line advocacy group dedicated toimproving American public education through increased cooperation and understanding between Republican Party Organizations and the Teacher’sUnions.  As MORE THAN ONE MILLION loyal registeredRepublicans who are also loyal active NEA & AFT professionals, weare all devoted to creating great public schools.

 

Elephant Educators genuinely respect political diversity and believe in honest debate; therefore we invite conservative, moderate and liberal NEA & AFT Republicans to find a common home here on our forum.  We understand that our engaged involvement in the political process will assist in changing the dynamics surrounding public school improvement.  Elephant Educators will help both the Republican Party and our Teacher Unions to find common ground around our shared values and vision, recognizing the vitally important role that both the Republican Party and the NEA & AFT play in achieving educational progress. 

Our primary goal is to improve the relationship between Republican Party organizations and Teacher’s Union affiliates at all levels. Certainly, our on-line forum will expose both positive and negative examples from both sides as well as carefully monitor current issues, events and controversies.  Our lively on-line postings will encourage extensive conversations between pro-public education GOP political leaders, Republican NEA & AFT activists and friends who wish to contribute to our healthy dialogue.

 

Ultimately, an essential purpose of our forum is to make both the GOP and the NEA & AFT better organizations. Elephant Educators hope that both the Republican Party and the Teacher’s Unions will become more effective partners in advancing the quality public schools agenda. As “Horace” our mascot illustrates, the Elephant Educators Forum enthusiastically welcomes you to join with us under the Big Tent. Trunks Up

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