This past month, I moved from Texas - a state that bans collective bargaining rights for public employees - to Oregon. Oregon has strong unions for educators, so I was prouder than a new dad to pay my dues for this year.

After almost 20 years teaching in Texas, where your teacher’s organization dues are really only lawsuit insurance. Sure, they will send reps to school board meetings to fight for better wages, but they really have no power at all. You even whisper the word “strike”, and the Texas Education Agency will cancel your certification permanently. So this is a very welcome change.