Day 0 - Kickoff

Welcome to my work to rule diary! My name is Julie Blaha and I teach seventh grade math at Jackson Middle School. This is my ninth year teaching and my second time working to rule. I am also the Governmental Relations Chair in for Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota and am on a whole bunch of other union boards and committees.

Working to rule is an action designed to help achieve a contract settlement by doing the duties outlined in our current contract and nothing more. Seems simple enough, but as an educator, it can be challenging, frustrating, infuriating and heartbreaking. We do an inordinate amount of unpaid work to give our students the kind of education they deserve.

As contract negotiations stalled for us and this work action loomed, I decided I would keep track of my experiences as we worked to rule. I knew I'd have time to write, I wanted to reflect on just what my work as a teacher really entails, and everyone in my generation has a blog.

So, read on and either celebrate the fact that work to rule has given me the time I've always wanted to write or keep working for a fair settlement for Anoka Hennepin educators so I will stop.