A father of six schoolchildren in Chicago told Fox News on Friday that it was a “balancing act” to essentially educate his children at home, while the powerful teacher union in Windy City continues to demand that schools remain closed due to to the pandemic.
Willie Preston told America Reports that while the pandemic is really something to watch out for, seeing your local schools remain closed while institutions in other cities are opening with caution is unfair to parents.
The Chicago teachers’ union recently threatened to strike if schools try to force teachers to return to the classroom.
CHICAGO TEACHER UNION WANTS VACCINE BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOLS, BUT THE MAIN DISTRICTS OF THE UNITED STATES ARE OPEN WITHOUT SHOTS
“Unless there is a last minute change, * all * CTU members will start working remotely tomorrow, Wednesday, January 27th. And if CPS retaliates members for exercising their right to a safe workplace, * all * CTU members will stop working on Thursday and set up pickets in their schools, “said the union, according to the WGN.
Preston said his wife has been doing most of the home schooling, while both work in their regular jobs to support the family.
“In short, it is political. It is all political. And it is very, very frustrating and irritating for so many parents like my wife and me, who simply want to put our children first and have a chance at a great future,” he said.
“[W]we have to go out and work … It has been a balancing act and at the very least we would ask our mayor and the leadership of CTU, the teachers’ union, to give us some kind of stability so that we can really plan our lives accordingly, because every day it looks like we’re looking forward to receiving an email to decide whether or not we have a public school system in Chicago. “
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Preston said he agrees with a wide range of other parents who believe that online learning is not as effective as face-to-face learning, adding that his six children are missing the important social aspect of being in the classroom with their peers at a young age. .
“I think this is important and has been largely overlooked here,” he said.
“But the fact is, we have to get on with our lives in a safe and productive way. Our children will never, never have those years back – and we want to make sure that we take them back to school because their future is at stake. we are very, very concerned about that. “