So today I got some “hate mail.” It was a reaction to my charter school sweatshop comic which I originally put on my site november 1oth. This comic once again came to light however because I had the wonderful fortune of having the American Federation of Teacher’s publication, The Advocate, run a brief article about my comic work in their February issue, of which my charter school comic graced the back of. One of the readers that saw the comic sent a letter to the AFT, whom kindly handed it over to me. You can read the letter in the image below, and also see where the individual (whom did not put their name on the letter or envelope) crossed out the work charter and replaced with “public” with a lovely green marker (expo I wonder?). I ask you, my fellow educators, is this person spot on? Is teaching in a Boston Public School no better than teaching in a charter? Trust me, I know public schools and their leadership are far from perfect and do have their flaws, but from the many teachers I know that teach in charters it seems to me that have it far worst and no one (such as a union) to really turn to for help when push comes to shove. Any thoughts??????? Share em! (Just don’t call me a dummy like this other guy did, I’m sensitive! Lol)
180 Dayz 
Yes! In my opinion there is a difference. I would first like to say that name calling when your trying to make a valid point especially as an educator is makes whatever your trying to say completely invalid and useless. So unnecessary! I apologize on behalf of all school teachers out there. Please keep it coming!
Okay back to the observable differences of no excuse Charter public schools and Public schools: both attending and working in a charter school I’ve notice that aside from the obvious, long school days, and loads of work, we believe in 100%. Let me explain, we don’t proceed in a lesson or a task, until we get 100% compliance from our scholars/students. We push then until the max and we do it until we get them to where they need to be by any means necessary. We even go the extra mile, unlike public schools to create a solid relationship with parents.
Many no excuse Charter schools are data driven. We will do what we have to do to get the results we want and that is that. I guess you can say that our aim to close this achievement gap in every way possible, even if that means, for many sacrificing their health, or personal relationships.
I can go on and on about this but it is probably best to do your research. The facts are all there. Sorry to say, but Charter schools are academically more invested in children and their future as to why the teacher burn out is REAL.
Enjoy your day!
My opinion of course-
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Thank you once again for your insights Debbie, and thanks for the encouragement. I must push back a bit though on the comparison between charter and public schools implying that public schools and their instructors are not pushing their students, using data to inform instruction, or going the extra mile. Trust me, from what I’ve seen in schools and from my colleagues across the district, we work our butts off and care deeply about the success of our students. I know all the hype in the media behind charters makes it seem like they got some magic going that we don’t, but I think one must take a closer look behind what is skewing the data (such as unfair admission policies, and dismissal policies) and how public schools will accept all students regardless of their previous schools experience or test scores. A look at the news recently will enlighten one to the true problem facing our public schools- not that our teachers or schools are not trying hard enough, or not as hard as a “no-excuse” charters, but that we are underfunded and overburdened. In response to your second point, we all must admit that teaching, whether in public, private, or charter, is a highly stressful and potentially high “burn-out” field. However, I don’t feel that one should sign on to a career that will cost them dearly in their personal life. In any career, their should be a balance. If your workplace requires you to say goodbye to your social and emotional wellbeing, then I’m sorry to say they are not being realistic. Let’s keep the field of education based on reality. We are people, not machines! Yes, all educators should be giving 110%, but should also be fairly compensated and recognized for their tremendous efforts, which from what I hear is not usually the case for many charter schools.
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