The Educational Association of Worcester and the Massachusetts Teachers Association, two powerful educators unions, are calling for a boycott of Old Sturbridge Village, a popular Massachusetts educational destination that brings history to life in an engaging and entertaining way. This move has sparked outrage among many who value the educational opportunities that Old Sturbridge Village provides, and raises serious questions about the role of educators unions in determining what children are allowed to learn.
Old Sturbridge Village is a living history museum located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, that depicts life in rural New England during the early 19th century. Visitors can experience firsthand what life was like during this time period by interacting with costumed interpreters who demonstrate traditional crafts and skills such as blacksmithing, weaving, and farming. The village is also home to a working farm, where visitors can learn about animal husbandry and participate in hands-on activities like milking cows and churning butter.
As a child, I grew up going to Old Sturbridge Village with my grandmother, who was a school teacher. We went there often, and despite how frequently we visited, I loved it every time. The village provided an immersive and engaging way to learn about Massachusetts history, and I always walked away having learned something new. In fact, one of my fondest memories of Old Sturbridge Village is learning how to milk a cow there when I was just 10 years old.
So why are the Massachusetts Teachers Unions calling for a boycott of this beloved educational destination? The answer lies in a recent agreement between Old Sturbridge Village and a Massachusetts charter school. The charter school, which serves a predominantly low-income and minority student population, has entered into a partnership with Old Sturbridge Village to provide its students with additional educational opportunities.
This move has not gone over well with the Massachusetts Teachers Unions, who are staunchly opposed to charter schools. In their view, charter schools drain resources away from traditional public schools and undermine the work of educators unions. As a result, they are now attempting to punish Old Sturbridge Village for entering into this partnership by calling for a boycott and attempting to ban all Worcester County schools from doing field trips there.
This is a deeply troubling development. At its core, the mission of educators should be to provide children with the best possible education, regardless of outside political pressures or ideological leanings. By attempting to deprive children of the opportunity to learn at Old Sturbridge Village simply because it has entered into a partnership with a charter school, the Massachusetts Teachers Unions are putting their own agenda above the needs of the children they are supposed to serve.
It is important that we hold the Massachusetts Teachers Unions accountable for their actions. Children in Massachusetts deserve access to high-quality educational opportunities like Old Sturbridge Village, and it is unacceptable for educators unions to try to deprive them of this simply because of their own political agenda. It is time for all of us who care about the education of our children to stand up and demand that educators unions prioritize the needs of students over their own political goals.
Research has consistently shown that field trips to educational destinations like Old Sturbridge Village can have a significant impact on children's learning. In fact, a study conducted by the University of Arkansas found that students who went on a field trip to a cultural institution like a museum or historical site demonstrated higher levels of critical thinking, empathy, and tolerance compared to those who did not go on a field trip.
Furthermore, the study found that field trips can help to bridge the achievement gap between low-income and high-income students, as they provide an opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access educational experiences that they may not otherwise have. By attempting to ban field trips to Old Sturbridge Village, the Massachusetts Teachers Unions are effectively denying these opportunities to the very students they claim to serve.
It is also worth noting that Old Sturbridge Village is not the only educational destination that has come under fire from educators unions in recent years. In 2019, the United Teachers Los Angeles passed a resolution calling for a boycott of the Museum of Tolerance, a Holocaust education center, because of its association with Israel. This move sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many arguing that it was a clear example of educators unions putting their own political agenda ahead of the needs of students.
In conclusion, the call for a boycott of Old Sturbridge Village by the Massachusetts Teachers Unions is a deeply troubling development that threatens to deprive children in Massachusetts of valuable educational opportunities. Field trips to educational destinations like Old Sturbridge Village have been shown to have a significant impact on children's learning, and it is unacceptable for educators unions to try to ban these trips simply because of their own political agenda. We must hold the Massachusetts Teachers Unions accountable for their actions and demand that they prioritize the needs of students over their own political goals. Only then can we ensure that all children in Massachusetts have access to the high-quality education they deserve.
Written By: Stephen Despin Jr.
Stephen Despin is a libertarian-conservative, blogger, and grassroots organizer, who's worked extensively in grassroots advocacy, campaigns, and lobbying for the past 6 years. As the founder of Talk Policy, he's become a voice in libertarian-conservative politics and has helped to shape the conversation around a variety of issues. Stephen is highly skilled in digital organizing and social media management and has been recognized for his ability to build effective and engaging online communities. He's a tireless advocate for limited government, personal freedom, and individual responsibility, and will continue to play an important role in shaping the libertarian-conservative movement.
originally posted at: Teachers Unions in Massachusetts Prioritize Political Agenda over Children's Education | Talk Policy
