People often get confused between a teachers' association like MIPE, and a union. MIPE is NOT a union.
MIPE is a professional organization,
not a labor union like the NEA and MEA.
MIPE opposes the adversarial approach
unions favor; we avoid political activism of unions; and we work to promote
teaching as a profession and not merely a job.
MIPE was created by Arizona
teachers for Arizona teachers to:
1. provide
membership benefits (such as professional liability insurance and other member-requested
benefits);
2. help teachers secure their
employee rights when needed;
3. work
with district officials (administrators & school board members) in
resolving problems; and
4. promote
quality, safe education for students.
In Mesa, we work closely with the
Assistant Superintendent for HR and district counsel to resolve problems, help “bad” teachers
either improve or find employment in a non-education field, and improve
communication between teachers and administrators.
MIPE's Executive
Director, David Smith often attends meetings to mediate and help principals and teachers
solve problems. As a retired teacher
with 30 years experience in Mesa classrooms and as a former student of Mesa
Schools, David is familiar with the history of district policies and personnel. He helps resolve conflicts between Mesa teachers and administrators while improving classroom
instruction for students.
MIPE is proud to have a good
relationship with the district administration and school board which we have
built over our 30 year history in Mesa by conducting ourselves in a
professional and proactive manner.
