Book Club Questions By Chapter
- How did you feel while reading the opening paragraphs of this book describing the abuse of loving teachers by state and national union leaders?
- Can you relate to the fear that paralyzed Rebecca and the other 300 teachers at the CTA conference who didn’t stand up for the one teacher who asked for union accountability?
- What do you think of this line from the story? “Then they educated us on the only “right” way to think.”
- Do you remember hearing anything about Rebecca’s case Friedrichs v. California Teachers’ Association between 2013 and 2016? What was your opinion of it at the time?
- What were your thoughts when Justice Scalia died? What kind of Supreme Court Justice was he?
- What do you think of Rebecca’s statement: “By forcing America’s teachers to remain in the grip of abusive, greedy government unions and allowing them to control our schools, children across America will continue to be victimized.”
- Do you agree that education is “the civil rights issue of our day”? Why or why not?
- What is your opinion of the NEA (National Education Association)?
- What was the original purpose of unions? Do they still serve that purpose today?
- What teacher stands out most positively in your mind from your elementary years? Why?
- Was there a negative experience with any of your elementary teachers or have you witnessed any at your child’s school?
- What was your most profound elementary school experience?
- Why was the “Witch” permitted to manhandle children?
- Rebecca states that even though she was required to pay full union collective bargaining fees, by opting out of the “political portion” of the union dues, she lost all rights of membership, including the right to vote within collective bargaining and the legal protection of liability insurance. Is this fair?
- Have you ever shared a concern about union membership with union leaders?
- Some parents think that by putting their kids in private school or even homeschooling, they are protecting their children from the negative influences of union-dominated public education. Are they really? Do they have any obligation to children who are unable to escape from abusive or low-performing teachers?
- What comments have you heard in the community about teachers? Do teachers have a positive reputation locally? Nationally?
- When cut-backs are necessary, “Last in, first out” is the union work rule. Does this insure the best teachers for students? What other options are there for dealing with reduced funds?
- Why do union leaders attempt to drive a wedge between teachers and administrators?
- Why was the union leadership unwilling to consider Rebecca’s suggestion to discuss a 3 percent salary cut for teachers in order to save teacher jobs and keep class sizes low?
- What is “the dance of the lemons”? Is this a fair way to deal with troublesome teachers? What other alternatives are there?
- Why do you think the union and district administration retaliated against Eileen for reporting the unstable teacher to the police? Would you have reported him?
- Why don’t loving teachers stand behind great administrators like Eileen when they put their necks on the line for the teachers and are harassed for doing so?
- Are there enough laws in place to protect kids from dangerous teachers? Why or why not?
- Do you know anyone who has used a voucher or Education Savings Account to educate their children?
- Rebecca and her Aunt Julane believe parents are the key to educational success. Do you agree? Why or why not?
- Does our current educational system discriminate against low-income families by limiting their ability to choose the best educational options for their children?
- Why are the unions opposed to parents being able to choose their children’s education and direct funding accordingly?
- Is it only “radical right-wingers” who are in support of school choice?
- Why do you think the unions funded and inspired attacks on Julie Williams and the other democratically elected board members?
- Have parents’ voices been silenced in your home school district?
- How would you feel if as a parent, you were harassed and threatened simply for doing what’s right for your child and community?
- Why do you think so many teachers go along with these attacks?
- Were you surprised that teachers’ unions spend so much to influence politics?
- How do you feel about teachers’ unions spending millions to defeat school choice? Is this a conflict of interest?
- Do you think it’s right that Rebecca was denied the opportunity to purchase disability insurance from her employer simply because she refused to fund state and national union politics?
- Have you ever been a single parent? Can you relate to the extra stress and burdens on Rebecca and her son Ben because of a lack of school choice?
- Were you surprised by the salaries and other perks of union leadership? Rebecca’s numbers are from 2013. Are you curious to discover what those leaders make today?
- Were you surprised to learn that most teachers today have never even been given the opportunity to vote for the union that is representing them?
- What do you think about this statement made by Don Cameron (NEA’s Executive Director)? “NEA’s future is inextricably linked to the well-being of public education…[O]ur job is to continue advocating for our members, and the surest way to protect their jobs is to protect public education.”
- What do you think about NEA’s New Business Item 47? “NEA will develop and promote resolutions that local associations can introduce at school board meetings calling for county-wide and state-wide moratoria on new charter school authorizations in every state that has legislation authorizing the creation of charter schools.”
- Why do the unions attack charter schools? Do you believe their messaging?
- Were you aware that some teachers make salaries over $100,000 annually?
- Some complain that giving tax money to a private religious school is a violation of “Separation of Church and State.” Do you agree?
- Is the phrase “Separation of Church and State” in our U.S. Constitution? Look it up.
- What do you think about the way Barb was treated as a teacher who desired to discover how her forced union dues were spent? Do you think anyone should be treated that way?
- Have you or one of your children ever been labeled ADHD?
- Why do you think the public education system and our current culture is so intent on medicating people and labeling them ADHD?
- Do you think the ADHD label is the modern-day equivalent of the old “dunce” term applied to Rebecca’s father?
- Do you agree or disagree that some children simply not wired for traditional education?
- Who do you think is most qualified to determine the educational environment for children?
- Do you think all students should eventually attend college? If not, what other options are available?
- Do you have opinions on why Ben’s life improved so dramatically after he entered welding school?
- What are your impressions of Rebecca’s father?
- Describe the “Education Triangle” Rebecca references. How do you think it functions?
- How did Rebecca make use of the Education Triangle for her son Ben?
- Do unions interfere with the Education Triangle? How so?
- Do you think more parents would be willing to get involved in the Education Triangle if they thought they were needed?
- Why do you think there were so many highly political EXPO booth topics at a teachers’ union conference?
- Why do you think our culture generally believes that most teachers lean extremely to the left? Were you surprised that only 13 percent identify as decisively “liberal?”
- Do you think it’s fair that the unions give almost all of their teacher resources to Democrats? Do you think it’s ethical?
- Should unions be so involved in politics?
- In light of Bob Chanin’s words: “Why are these conservative and right-wing bastards picking on NEA and its affiliates? I will tell you why. It is the price we pay for success. NEA and its affiliates have been singled out because they are the most effective unions in the United States, and they are the nations’ leading advocates for public education, and the type of liberal, social and economic agenda that these groups find unacceptable” Do you think the NEA is an unbiased organization?
- How did you feel when you read about the teacher the unions labeled “Rotten Apple?”
- What would you do if one of your teacher friends had five men in black suits show up in her classroom to harass her? Is this a legal and ethical way for unions to “recruit” members?
- Were you surprised to learn that teachers’ unions are 501 C organizations that pay no taxes on the hundreds of millions in dues they collect each year?
- Rebecca mentions four psychological manipulations used by those who force power and control over others. What were they? How did the unions use them in the case of Ruth?
- Can you think of any situations where these four manipulations are used outside of the education establishment?
- Do you think the NEA bullies teachers today? Have they ever bullied you?
- Do you think the sex education programs described by Rebecca are “age appropriate” and “medically accurate?”
- What do you think about the rule in the Planned Parenthood curriculum: “Don’t Yuck My Yum (WOW)?”
- Are you grateful to Stella for taking the risk to warn her community that her district was about to implement lessons training children on how to use dental dams for oral to anal sex? If you appreciate Stella’s bravery, will you make a commitment to stand with other brave teachers like Stella?
- Why do you think Rebecca labels Comprehensive Sexual Education as “SeXXX Education?”
- What do you think about the dangers of the medically inaccurate information our schools are presenting to our children? Do you think those behind it should be held accountable?
- Do you think state and national teachers’ unions have a sexual agenda?
- Do you think all school districts tell parents when they implement new sex education curricula? Why or why not? Are you sure about your answer?
- What would you do if your school insisted on teaching the type of sex education described in the book and you couldn’t afford to remove your child from the school?
- If you could protect your own child, do you think we all have a responsibility to protect all innocent children in our schools? Are you willing to fight for the protection of ALL children?
- Rebecca’s sons are in their twenties and she has no grandchildren, but she’s still fighting for every child in America. Will you fight against abusive SeXXX ed in our country even if it’s not yet in your child’s school in protection of our kids and country?
- If you’re a teacher, how would you feel about presenting these lessons to your students? Will you fight for teachers, families and kids who are impacted by these lessons?
- Priscilla said, “Teachers like me are trying to protect the kids, but they call us racists, bigots, haters, and homophobes. I want people to hear and see firsthand that the teachers’ union leaders see anyone who does not agree with their ideology as Ku Klux Klan’s and Nazis.” Are you surprised to learn that it’s the state and national teachers’ unions who are behind this divisive rhetoric in our country?
- Did you know that California public school students are legally required to take part in sexual orientation/gender identity lessons, and parents cannot opt out of this portion of the curriculum?
- Did you know this problem did not start in California and is impacting many states and countries?
- Why did the NEA bully Jeralee? What do they have against ex-gays?
- Since the NEA has a massive anti-bullying campaign, do you think it’s hypocritical that they bully ex-gays, independently minded teachers, conservative students, Christians, and anyone else who questions union behavior?
- According to Rebecca, how is the NEA pushing the adoption of the new sex education programs? Is this for the benefit of teachers, students, or some other entity?
- Who should have final authority over what children learn? Defend your answer.
- Teacher Priscilla was told by two different union authorities that a Mormon student who respectfully expressed his belief in the traditional definition of marriage should be treated as if he’d said, “Black people should be burned at the stake.” Do you think teacher money should be used to back this sort of rhetoric?
- Would you consider the union leader’s statement a form of bullying? Why or why not?
- Gonzales said, “I believe we can practice tolerance and debate issues and beliefs without mocking, insulting, disparaging, or offending one another.” Do you agree with this statement? Do you think union leaders agree with it?
- Rebecca lists a number of resolutions and amendments that were adopted by the NEA in 2017. How are those issues related to education? Do they help or represent mainstream teachers or majoritarian American values?
- Does the NEA accurately represent the positions of most teachers you know? If you’re a teacher, do they represent your values?
- What is the big deal about NEA Amendment 19 that seeks to change the scientific method?
- Do you think teachers should have to fund the unions’ sexual and political agenda?
- What is the term “union-think”? Do you believe it is related to George Orwell’s book 1984?
- The unions claim to be “tolerant” and “inclusive.” How would you define tolerance and inclusivity? Were they inclusive to Sue, Jeralee, Diane, Rebecca and the other teachers in this book?
- If you were Kim, reviewing the sex education curriculum planned for your child, how would you react?
- Why does the sex education curriculum repeatedly tell students how they can obtain birth control or abortions at age 12 without parental consent? Since children aren’t allowed to have an aspirin or go on a field trip without parental consent, does this make sense?
- Rebecca states: “The union leadership makes moral and political decisions on behalf of all teachers, and then they abuse us for daring to disagree.” What examples does she give to back this up?
- Did Judy’s information proving that the NEA had no restrictions on abortion surprise you? If you’re a teacher, did you know your representative assembly supports partial birth abortion and the presence of Planned Parenthood in our schools?
- Do you agree with the NEA’s position that “it is the right of every individual to live in an environment of freely available information and knowledge about sexuality”? Do parents have the right to limit information to their high school students? What about to their kindergarteners?
- What do you think about Priscilla’s statement: “I’ve met a lot of LGBT people throughout my research, and they’ve become my friends. They’re just people who want to be loved like the rest of us. But CTA leadership has gone too far. Instead of truly protecting students from bullying, thanks to union behavior and ideology, the bullying is increasing. We’re just changing who’s in the closet.”
- Do you think the state and national teachers’ unions use anti-bullying campaigns as a smokescreen to push explicit sexual content and other social issues into our schools? Why or why not?
- Why are the state and national teachers’ union leaders so intensely focused on sexualizing children? Are they within mainstream thought and values?
- What do you think about Diane’s statement: “Anybody who’s joining the NEA needs to understand that this is an organized group of teachers who will use your money against you and all the people in America who believe similarly to you, and the money is the issue. They have the money. The money brings them power.”
- Some professions, such as air traffic controllers and police officers, are not allowed to strike because the damage to the citizenry is considered too great. Should teachers be allowed to strike?
- Julie’s son struggled in public school but did well in the charter school. The principal at his public high school claimed that was because the charter school was too easy, and the public school was more rigorous. Does this sound like a viable reason in Jack’s case?
- Should students and parents be allowed to see test results and work toward improved understanding?
- Do you think union leaders will speak out against this book and try to discourage teachers from reading it? Can you think of any teachers who should read it? Will you share it with them?
- Have you ever served within the PTA? What was your experience?
- Were you surprised to learn that the state and national PTA has been overrun by the state and national teachers’ unions?
- If you were honest with yourself, was it hard to hear this information? Did you find yourself wanting to reject the truth or bristling as Charlene Haar mentioned most PTA parents do?
- Is the PTA fulfilling its duty to parents and children? Will ignoring the problem make it go away?
- Are you curious to read Charlene Haar’s book so you can learn more about the corruption of the PTA?
- Rebecca says, “The union uses the time, money, energy, and apple pie image of parents, teachers, and children to push forward their self-serving agenda while betraying the trust of America’s most revered organization: the PTA, and very few are wise to it.” Is she right?
- What kind of teacher is Aaron Benner?
- Were you aware of the Obama administration’s directive about reducing suspensions of children of color? What was its purpose? Was it successful? What are the unintended consequences?
- Are you aware of any other Obama administration education directives?
- Why did the NAACP leader initially undermine Aaron? What do you think about that leader having his child in a safe, private school while undermining Aaron’s ability to protect his students and their families in a public school?
- Why do private and charter schools have reputations for being more successful than public schools? Is this reputation justified?
- An award-winning teacher named Kerstin Westcott resigned from teaching “at-risk” students because of the extreme danger brought to her campus after implementation of Obama era Racial Equity Discipline Policies. Watch her resignation speech at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SRCY8FqoyQ. How do you feel about what this teacher experienced?
- The Illinois parents said, “Supporters of the racial Seminar Day labeled the parents requesting balance as ‘bigots,’ ‘haters,’ ‘against free speech’ and even heckled and laughed at an African-American pastor from the South Side of Chicago…” How do you feel about this treatment of parents, community members and pastors?
- Why are state and national teachers’ unions pushing divisive identity politics? Is this appropriate at our schools? Is it inclusive?
- Since America’s schools are struggling to teach the basics well, do you think it’s appropriate for unions to bring in racial seminar days and SeXXX ed lessons?
- Why do you think the unions are so one-sided? Why do they attack people so much?
- What do you think about groups like Pacific Educational Group (PEG)?
- Why was Nicole’s charter school able to limit class disruptions while her public school could not?
- What happened to Deanna’s charter school? To Nicole’s?
- Do you think it was ethical for the education status quo to close down high performing charters with outstanding learning environments when parents, students and teachers were working to keep them open?
- Why are unions and some public school boards so threatened by charter schools?
- Are you aware of any charter schools in your area?
- “Plan” a charter school. Discuss what you would want in your school (e.g., class size, schedule, education philosophy, discipline policy), then draft a “charter” to govern your school.
- How did Kyle’s personality and experiences make his public school situation ineffective?
- Look at the website FAQ for Sunburst Youth Academy: http://sunburstyouthacademy.com/faq/. Do you think this type of school would benefit more students?
- Are you aware of particular students who would benefit from a different learning environment?
- What would you do if you had a child with particular challenges not being addressed in her school environment?
- Were you inspired by the redemption of Kyle’s life?
- How did you feel when you read that Kyle struck out Mike Trout after being moved down from double A baseball to single A baseball?
- How did you feel about the way the fans treated Rebecca and her family as they cheered for Kyle? Do you think they would have been kinder and cheered with the family had they known what Kyle had overcome?
- Do you think teachers would have been kinder to Rebecca during her lawsuit journey if they had understood the truth about unions?
- What do you think of Kelly’s experiences with her union?
- The unions are always talking about fairness. Is their distribution of dues fair to teachers?
Average California Teacher’s Annual Dues = $1,000
- CTA—state union = $700
- NEA—national union = $192
- Local teacher’s union = $108
- What would you do if you were told you could only choose a candidate from one political party and you were bullied if you chose independence?
- How much of the dues money collected from teachers do you think is spent to support them?
- Do you think unions should have the right to force teachers to pay fees because they provide collective bargaining representation?
- Considering the question above, since teachers’ unions asked the government for the legal right and insist upon on “exclusive representation,” should they be complaining when workers don’t desire their representation and would prefer to select their own representation? Should workers be permitted to choose their own representation?
- Did you know teachers have always had the legal right to decertify their local association from the state and national unions? Did you know they could then reorganize under a “local only” association?
- Would you be willing to stand with teachers so they can decertify the state and national unions? They will be bullied severely. Do you have the courage to stand with them?
- Kelly was asked her opinion on why so many teachers fall for the unions’ trickery and cruelty. Do you agree with her answer? Why or why not?
- Have you ever been tricked into believing something that later turned out to be false? Did you hurt anyone who was innocent in the process? How did you feel after you realized you falsely judged someone?
- How can you counter false messages that unions are putting forth about teachers, school board members, administrators, and their own policies?
- Throughout the book Rebecca relates the experiences of teachers and parents who want to fight for children but end up backing down because of retaliation from union forces against themselves or their children. Be honest, how much would you be willing to suffer—or allow your children to suffer—to stand up for what is right or to stand up for others who can’t stand up for themselves?
- Do you remember the protests in Wisconsin against Governor Walker? What would you have done if you were the governor facing a huge budget deficit in your state?
- Do you think public employees or government officials should have better retirement and health insurance than private business owners like the deli owner? Why or why not?
- What do you know about unfunded pension liabilities in this country? Did you know many communities are facing bankruptcy because of them? Can you think of a better way to manage public-sector pensions?
- If you are a teacher, are you willing to consider allowing good leaders to rework our pension system? Are you nervous that your pension might not be there for you when you retire?
- Do you think what Benji experienced at his schools is the typical experience of conservative students in our country today?
- Why do you think the teachers who were troubled by the treatment of Benji did nothing to speak out in his defense or to protect him?
- If you were Benji’s teacher, would you find the courage to protect him? Consider the culture of fear in which you work before you answer this question.
- How would you feel if you were Benji’s parents?
- Do you think our schools should be political warzones and children should be bullied by teachers?
- How do you feel about what happened to Tracie? Have you ever met a good teacher that the unions / education status quo tried to drive out of the classroom?
- Why did Rebecca almost give up and state: “Maybe things were hopeless for teachers, families, and kids. I started to feel that maybe the unions are just too good at being bad…”
- Are the unions too good at being bad?
- What Biblical story did God use to nudge Rebecca to start writing editorials? Has God ever nudged you to take a huge risk? Did you do it? Did He bless it?
- According to the US Chamber of Commerce’s “Sabotage, Stalking & Stealth Exemptions”: “Invading the home of a university professor would normally be considered trespassing, but remarkably, such behavior is not a crime in California if the trespasser is involved in union activities.” Also, the Supreme Court “ruled that violence in pursuit of union demands cannot be prosecuted under federal law.” How do you think this impacts union behavior? How do you think it added to Charles’s concerns for his wife and family? (For the full document, visit https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/documents/files/1208_StateLawReview_R2.pdf.)
- How was Rebecca uniquely equipped to serve as the lead plaintiff in the case Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association?
- What haunted Charles?
- If your spouse was lead plaintiff in a national lawsuit against scary and powerful forces, and the most common question people asked was, “Are you afraid for your life?” would you be scared? How would you cope?
- It was particularly frustrating for Rebecca when other teachers did not understand that she was fighting for their rights. Have you ever been in a similar situation where your pure motives were misjudged? How did you cope?
- What do you think of this statement: “Be grateful when certain people don’t like you; it means you’re making a positive difference.”
- What do you think about the emails and letters Rebecca received throughout her case? Did you ever realize that those who stand up for others as plaintiffs often receive all kinds of unfair and hurtful treatment and also some quiet support?
- Has anyone ever served as a “Mary” in your life, supporting you when others were against you? How can you serve as a Mary for teachers and parents who are fighting against unfair treatment?
- Should convicted sex-offenders, murderers, and kidnappers be prohibited from working in America’s schools?
- Why would the NEA come out against a bipartisan bill to prohibit criminals from working with students when their own resolution calls for screening of parent volunteers on campus?
- How do you feel about the NEA’s position that teachers are in agreement with allowing convicted criminals (including kidnappers, murderers, and sex offenders) to work with students? If you are a teacher, would you want these sorts of people working with you and your students?
- Gwen Samuel and her friends were upset with teachers. Why?
- What was it about Rebecca that allowed Gwen and her friends to grow in friendship with her?
- Do you think most teachers know how state and national unions spend their dues money? If you’re a teacher, did you know before reading this book?
- Do you feel motivated to look more deeply into union spending, lobbying and politics? If so, take a look at these websites:
- Rebecca said, “People pointed out we were just like David standing against Goliath. I found a lot of peace in that because David won.” Do you find peace from Bible testimonies?
- What is a fee payer?
- Why is becoming a fee payer so complicated?
- Why did the union exclude Rebecca from attending meetings regarding bargaining issues and label her a “free rider” when she paid 100% of the collective bargaining fees? Was the union fair?
- So many people thanked Rebecca in secret for her stance but wouldn’t do anything themselves or support her publicly. Do you think unions will ever be reined in if everyone lets “someone else” do the work? Have you ever been afraid to stand for your beliefs?
- Are you surprised by the many instances of violence, harassment, and intimidation demonstrated by the unions in this book? Why is this allowed in America?
- What is Right to Work? Do you live in a Right-to-Work state?
- What do you think about Kamala Harris and President Obama intervening against Rebecca and the teachers and standing on the side of powerful unions? Do they care about the “little guy?”
- What would you have done if you were a home daycare provider like Jennifer and a strange man walked into your home?
- Do you think it is acceptable that Minnesota unionized an entire class of workers without their consent?
- Rebecca says, “We have an acute systemic disease in the roots of our country, and it’s damaging every piece of fruit we try to produce—the contaminated roots are the government unions.” What examples does she give? Are you willing to help fight this disease?
- Rebecca makes an analogy between an abusive marital relationship and the relationship between unions and teachers. What do you think about this analogy?
- How does a case make it to the U.S. Supreme Court?
- Why would the governor of Illinois sign a bill designating home healthcare workers as state employees and requiring them to pay union dues whether they joined the union or not?
- Are you aware that the Harris v. Quinn decision applies to home daycare providers as well as home healthcare workers? Do your friends know that?
- Rebecca said, “Profiting off the sick and vulnerable is a new low, even for unions.” Do you agree?
- What do you think about the constant name calling the unions use against those who disagree with them? How do you think it made Rebecca feel to be labeled “Spawn of Satan,” “pawn of the wealthy one-percent,” “free rider,” and other slanderous terms? How do you think it made her family feel?
- Is it the responsibility of teachers to speak out against unions?
- Why were Kelley and her family treated so harshly? What would you have done in her situation?
- Should people living in a free Republic have to go through “political counseling?”
- Do you think the leaders who subjected Kelley and her family to such extreme legal harassment should be punished? Do you think our legal system has been corrupted in some cases?
- Do you think it was right and moral that Kelley’s girls had to return to a dangerous and underperforming school? Do you think any child should have to attend a dangerous or underperforming school?
- Why do we have so many dangerous and underperforming schools?
- Why didn’t Charles (the spouse of the lead plaintiff) have a ticket into the Court?
- Have you ever sat in on a court case? How is the Supreme Court different from other courts?
- Why was Rebecca proud of Ben? Do you think his presence gave his mom more courage in the face of her oppressors?
- Rebecca finds a lot of peace from the prayers of others on her behalf. Do you believe in the power of prayer?
- What would you have felt if you had been in Rebecca’s shoes the day her case was argued before the Supreme Court?
- Rebecca said four Justices seemed very concerned about overturning Abood because it was a forty-year-old precedent that had impacted areas of contract law. Can you think of any other cases where precedent has been overturned? Can you think of past precedent setting cases that you feel need to be overturned?
- Why was Rebecca so upset at Justice Sotomayor’s question?
- What was “The Friedrichs Fix?” Do you think it’s right that unions can control legislatures and deny people their constitutional rights?
- Why was Dumont’s admission that a union is not an organ of the State important?
- How is forced unionism “a serious attack on First Amendment rights of American citizens and a dangerous abuse of power”?
- Why did the audience gasp when Mr. Dumont conceded that collective bargaining is political?
- Rebecca felt sorry for Mr. Dumont when he was taken to task by the Justices, but she did not feel sorry for Mr. Frederick. Why?
- What happened to Jade Thompson and her husband Andy?
- Was Michael Carvin correct that “If the unions were forcing everyone to fund the Republican Party the ACLU would be the ones here defending the plaintiffs!” Is there a double standard?
- What was the sweet experience between Rebecca and Ben as they descended the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court? Have you ever been proud of your parents?
- What would you have thought if you’d received that letter from Lynn after the apparent Supreme Court victory? Do you think it prepared Rebecca for the loss of her case?
- Do you believe God speaks to the hearts of those who follow and obey Him? What do you think of Lynn’s obedience to share her impressions with Rebecca?
- Would you appreciate a friend like Lynn?
- Why has Rebecca not given up the fight against forced union fees?
- How has MCA impacted Justin’s life?
- Describe how Joseph Ocol uses chess to reach students. Do you agree with Rebecca that Joseph should have received “teacher of the century?”
- Why wouldn’t the unions go along with Joseph’s suggestion to set up a class along the picket line so he could continue to teach the kids?
- The state and national unions claim to care about kids and teachers. Do you think they care about kids and teachers?
- After reading this book, what do you think unions care about most?
- Why couldn’t union supporters shut down Virginia and her fight for vouchers in Washington DC?
- Virginia’s children and Rebecca’s sons were proud of their mothers for standing up for what they believed. They saw firsthand the importance of fighting for justice despite the personal costs. What legacy are you leaving your kids?
- What do you think of the quote from the back cover of Selections for Memorizing? Read this poem aloud:
I am only one;
But, I am one.
I cannot do everything
But I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do:
And what I ought to do,
By the grace of God,
I will do.
- Were you surprised to learn that the NEA wrote these little booklets full of Scripture from the Holy Bible and other stories of faith and strong character?
- Can you see why Rebecca believes the state and national teachers’ unions have degraded the teaching profession?
- Can you be “annoyingly persistent” as just one person to make a change in your local school.
- How did “The Widow’s Mite” change Rebecca’s life?
- Can you find two mites of courage and allow God to work through you to bring about impossible results?
- Will you “Adopt A Teacher,” employ the six E’s, and share a copy of this book with that teacher? If so, please find the details on Rebecca’s website: https://forkidsandcountry.org/
- If you’re a teacher, will you work with your colleagues to decertify / disaffiliate state and national unions and “Keep Your Local?” If so, go to Rebecca’s website for help: https://forkidsandcountry.org/
Additional Thoughts
- After reading this book, how has your opinion changed about teachers, unions, and our public education system?
- Are you willing to invest your time, effort, reputation, and perhaps more to stand up for children and good teachers in your community and across this nation?
- Will you do your part?