The American Association of Educators (AAE) is a true professional organization for teachers, unlike the Nevada State Education Association (NSEA) which is nothing more than a stinking labor union. Many teachers only join the NSEA for the liability insurance, but AAE also provides such insurance for a fraction of the cost the union fleeces members for.
The problem is, the NSEA goes out of its way to prevent its members from learning about the AAE alternative. After all, it’s not the best interest of the members that the union looks out for; it’s the best interest of the union. And unions hate competition.
Anyway, AAE representatives have been in Nevada recently, talking to educators and school boards about their organization and its superior benefits for teachers. The NSEA found out and recently posted a bunch of hysteria-raising BS on their website about the AAE. You can read their lame whining here and here.
For their part, the AAE sent out the following response to teachers which counters the misinformation the teachers union put out.
The NSEA recently posted on its website inaccurate information about the Association of American Educators. In response, AAE created this document to dispel the myths that are cited and to give you the facts. If you have any questions, please call the Association of American Educators toll-free at 800.704.7799 or send an email to info@aaeteachers.org. We encourage you to find out more about AAE at www.aaeteachers.org.
Myth: AAE supports privatizing public schools.
FACT: We say to the NSEA and the NEA, “Prove it.” First, AAE was founded by public school teachers. Not only does AAE support public schools, 96 percent of our members are public school teachers – professionals – just like you who want to be associated with a professional association and not a union. In fact, the reason our membership of private school teachers is so small is because most private schools provide adequate liability insurance for their staff. AAE was created of, for and by teachers, and we are proud to support them through and through.
Myth: AAE provides only liability insurance and no legal assistance.
FACT: AAE provides both legal assistance and liability insurance. AAE members have free access to AAE’s attorney referral network or they may prefer to seek out legal representation of their own choosing instead of having to accept a predetermined legal advisor. AAE’s network of attorneys bills our insurance provider—not you, the individual teacher—for services covered under AAE’s plan. In instances when you choose to use your own attorney, he or she will be reimbursed for services rendered up to the limits specified in the policy.
Myth: AAE members must find their own attorney and AAE doesn’t have on- staff attorneys.
FACT: AAE has attorneys on staff that can assist you with your issues or can refer you to a local attorney; however, you are welcome to hire your own attorney. It’s your choice! AAE’s insurance policy covers you and protects your interests, not the interests of AAE. In fact, AAE guarantees you job protection and legal services that the union cannot because there is no committee to determine if you get assistance. It’s guaranteed – even if you are a new teacher.
Myth: AAE is the defender of No Child Left Behind.
FACT: Our members just told us in our April 2007 survey that they support the tenets of NCLB but the law needs some work. We agree and we are working to make changes through the reauthorization process which is underway in Congress.
Myth: AAE is funded by “ultra-right billionaires.”
FACT: The AAE Foundation receives donations from a variety of charitable organizations that want teachers to have choices in professional representation. That’s no secret! Our foundation donors aren’t happy with the status quo in education and believe AAE can help bring a new voice for teachers to the table. Yes, we admit that some of our donors have given to causes that the NEA and NSEA don’t like, but ask yourself, how many times has the NEA/NSEA supported causes with which you don’t agree?
Myth: AAE is associated with a variety of pro-voucher organizations.
FACT: AAE has never lobbied for vouchers. From a survey of our members in April 2007, we know that our members are split on the issue so we don’t have a position on vouchers. AAE takes pride in the fact that we only take positions on issues when our surveys indicate a majority of our membership is for or against something. It’s simple: if you aren’t in favor of it, we won’t work for it.
Myth: “AAE is out of step with most educators and does not support their interests.”
FACT: AAE is very much in sync with what our members want. As mentioned above, we just surveyed our members so that we can take a solid position on No Child Left Behind. We ask our members before taking positions on issues that affect our members most. Can the NSEA/ NEA say the same thing? It’s also important worth noting that AAE is primarily (99%) made up of certified staff so that our members’ needs are more uniform and we are better able to serve them.
Myth: “AAE and its affiliates have lower membership dues, but you’ll have a difficult time getting them to show you where your money goes.”
FACT: We definitely have lower dues and better services because we don’t give money to political cause or candidates. AAE annual dues are only $12.50 per month or $150 per year. Let’s dig further and do some math here. NEA liability insurance costs them $2 per person, yet they charge $600 dues. AAE insurance costs about $30 per person, yet AAE charges only $150 in dues which are spent largely for legal coverage and overhead costs. Which organization demonstrates unexplained extra spending money? In fact, if you or a colleague joined the union for liability coverage, you aren’t getting the best price or the best coverage. AAE’s job protection services and liability coverage are guaranteed – even for new teachers!
Myth: AAE has “no in-house staff to help with legal problems or other employment issues.”
FACT: AAE is certainly no bloated bureaucracy but we have plenty of staff to assist with legal and employment issues. We have cases that open every day because we have members in all 50 states who need our services. By the way, our service is excellent. For member testimonials, check out our website at www.aaeteachers.org.
Myth: “AAE advertises that they offer $2 million in liability insurance coverage. What they don’t tell you is that this is an aggregate amount, not the $1 million per member per occurrence of NEA coverage.”
FACT: Actually the aggregate is $3 million. There are pros and cons to every insurance plan. For instance, the $2 million in liability insurance coverage from AAE is guaranteed, while NEA’s $1 million is not. This means that they don’t have to take your case. AAE coverage begins immediately, the way one would expect from an insurance plan. NSEA/NEA will not take your case until you are vested (a five year process in Nevada). They will, however, take your dues.
FINAL WORD: AAE appreciates the opportunity to talk about our organization. We have hundreds of members in Nevada and are growing every day. We simply want to give educators a choice in professional membership, which we understand to be good old fashion American competition. AAE delivers exactly what we promise and what our members tell us they want—the opportunity to be associated with other professionals in the field, a chance to have their opinions heard, and the peace of mind that affordable group insurance provides. Visit AAE at www.aaeteachers.org and see how we are creating a new vision of what a career in teaching can be!
Posted on May 15th, 2007 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: Nevada
My spouse has been a member of this for years and agrees with you.