Standing Up to Goliath: Battling State and National Teachers' Unions for the Heart and Soul of Our Kids and Country Hardcover – November 20, 2018

I had NO IDEA that teachers' unions had this kind of control--over EVERYBODY in the education system! This was an easy ready, but an alarming one at the same time. I have a lot of kids and have been exposed to a TON of teachers. Most seem like the teachers I met in this book--totally dedicated to their craft, genuinely love their kids, spend tons of their own money on extra stuff for the classroom, want to see every child succeed past their own unique challenges, etc. With such dedicated teachers, I never understood why national reports always talk about schools failing our kids. We hear about it every year and it seems to be getting worse. Teachers never seemed to mention the workplace dynamics shared in the book--until I started asking some individually, if they were aware of this. Then, WHOA! Everyone's got a story--and they sound eerily familiar!Seems to me that the union clamp-down on teachers trying to improve student learning, engage parents effectively, build-up teacher morale, etc. is really crippling education. I can't believe the shennanigans they use to run good people and great teachers out of schools, parents off of school boards, and more. No school seems safe from their grip. How can we expect our kids to behave better when this is the leadership model in our schools? This is nonsense and has to stop.I see the big picture now...unions are trying to duct-tape the mouths of anyone who dares to speak out. They have a ton of money at stake here. In the book, I learned that where I live, teachers unions are the biggest financial political spenders--twice as much as big pharma!!! THAT'S HUGE! And, now I see how our elections are being shaped by their big $$ and political agenda and it makes me MAD! In Chapter 16, Friedrichs makes an audacious suggestion and I think it's brilliant! After reading the book, I've decided to buy a copy for all the teachers in my life and my kids' lives. Friedrichs is one courageous lady!If you want to see a revolution in education in this country, I think the message in this book could make one possible--as long as people are willing to actually stand against Goliath. I am. Are you?

Informational and well researched

In Abood v Detroit Board of Education (1977) the Supreme Court ruled that public employee unions may charge fees to members so long as they account separately for their political activities and give disagreeing members the option of not paying for those activities. Rebecca Friedrichs brings this story to the present day and shows what happens when one party (the unions) doesn't play fair. Abood is dry reading; Standing up to Goliath is scary. Every citizen should read this. Neither as a nation nor school district by school district did we vote to turn our public schools over to left-wing activists but it has happened anyway, through the vector of public service unions. Recounting her own experience as a California teacher, Ms Friedrichs tells how the unions bully the teachers and make it impossible to opt out of paying for left-wing political activity. Somehow the unions control access to health insurance. Somehow the unions control access to all means of communication among the teachers. Teachers may opt out (with great difficulty) of paying for "overt" political activity but anything couched as campaigns for "human rights" or "great public schools" is chargeable to all members. Teachers are even forced to teach unconventional sex as sex education. Attempts to decertify the union resulted in an office break-in, vandalism, and loss of bank accounts. The unions are Goliath and we have let this happen.

You will be grateful that you read this book! Excellent book! Wow - A Must Read!!! You will be grateful that you read this book! Thorough investigation of the Facts showing us what's REALLY Happening BEHIND the doors of our school classrooms and the Tenacles of the far-reaching Teachers Union & PTA and other Organizations that are using YOUR money to indoctrinate YOUR kids wothOUT your knowledge or approval. This Book is packed FULL of Facts Facts Facts!!! The Truth here does NOT lie. I give this book a 5 Star Review. Every parent, grandparents, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, etc. NEEDS to read this Book!

This book is a powerful wake up call to all parents of kids in public schools. Rebecca shares how the unions claim to be for the students, but they are only in it for the money and the control that they have to push their harmful agendas. In the book, Rebecca shares her journey from frustration to action. So many people disagree with the union's agendas and bullying tactics, but many actually do something about it. It is refreshing to see someone stand up to Goliath! This book prompted me to do more to protect children and speak out about what is really going on in our school systems. Our children deserve better!

In her effort to educate her fellow teachers and parents about the dangers of the teachers’ unions, Rebecca tells story after story about how the unions are intimidating and threatening teachers. She describes how the NEA and state unions are sexualizing and indoctrinating our nation’s children. She gives hope among travesty."You don't have to solve all of the problems by yourself, and you don't have to know a lot either. Just show up, give your two mites and brace yourself for adventure and redemption you never dreamed possible." --Standing Up To Goliath by Rebecca FriedrichsThis was such an informative and inspiring book about a public school teacher with the courage to take on the teachers' unions! Grab a copy and read it!

highly recommend

As a former public school teacher and union member, this book hits home hard! For all my 12 years in the education setting, my voice as a Christian Conservative teacher was hushed and silenced. So happy that light is shining down on the darkness spread by union greed and political motivation.Thank you, Rebecca!