As the other group has mentioned the history of teachers unions

from a textbook, but the benefits of teachers unions from personal

accounts of my family leading up until the present. Take us back to the
1960s, time of civil rights movements, the Beatles, and the beginning
of two teachers careers. These teachers were my grandparents,
Carroll and Fred Sebens. She was an elementary educator and he was
a high school math teacher. Residing out of Girard, Illinois, a small town
outside of Springfield, they both members of the National Educators
Association Union, as well IEA, at the state level and a district-wide
teachers union. Beginning as first year teachers, they were members
of the unions. With a family at home to support, two children, my uncle
and mom, the unions gave them the power to aid in bargaining for
their jobs. Unions on a simple level gave Carroll and Fred the
opportunity to negotiate their contracts as well as their colleagues.
One night before contracts were due my Fred was up until 5am working
with other union members, school administrators and representatives
from the union working on contracts, helping to avoid strikes and any
sort of uprising. The unions were also able to help maintain these
contracts and make sure that the school administrators would follow
through on their promises. In addition to negotiating contracts, my
grandparents would get their voice heard. Being from a small town, the
unions gave them hope that they could change education at the state

level and be heard in the larger community. Before unions teachers did
not have this privilege.
The most important part about education is the students.
Teachers unions were helped provide confidence and security when
teaching. My other grandfather, John Harr, teaching during the same
time period but in the more urban area of Chicago, also was a member
of teachers unions throughout the state and local area. Throughout his
years he taught PE, biology, and also coached track.With his union he
was given a million dollar insurance if he was to get sued for doing his
job. The union and lawyers would be readily available if anything was
to go wrong. This provided the reassurance that would help him not
worry about financial matters at home with a wife and two kids, my
aunt and my dad. Without worry of losing his job, he was able to put all
his energy and focus into the teaching of his students. Unions also
were able to provide support even after retirement with pensions and
supporting teachers even when they are done teaching.
Looking to the next generation of teachers, we can trace the
history of teachers unions down to my mom. As a special education
teacher, focusing on deaf education, she was not originally a member
of the teachers union. Throughout her first year of teaching she did not
receive the benefits that are associated with being a member of the
union. Not educated on the benefits of unions, she went her first year

unprotected. However the rest of her teaching she joined the union
and felt the security that goes along with joining the union.
Tracing the history of into the 21st century, we can look at
my sisters teaching experience. She is a first year teacher in the Peoria
area teaching physical education. She has decided to join the national,
state, and her local unions. She is a firm believer in the benefits of
teachers unions. Even within her first year of teaching she has noticed
the bonding power of teachers unions and how teachers can work
together to make change within our profession. As I am about to begin
my own journey as a teacher, I plan to learn from my families past and
experiences to my advantage.