Exploitation factor

It's great that Jonathan Zimmerman ("Why America Needs Foreign Teachers," Oct. 18 Forum) appreciates the good work that teachers from the Philippines are doing in some of our classrooms. As a teachers union, we also are appreciative of good teaching. But Mr. Zimmerman is way too quick to brush aside the potential for exploitation described in the American Federation of Teachers' report, "Importing Educators."

In fact, that potential for exploitation is a reality in Louisiana. We recently filed complaints with state agencies that included hair-raising reports from Filipino teachers who were cheated out of thousands of dollars and held in virtual servitude. The AFT's report brought much-needed attention to the practice of recruiting teachers from overseas and helped lay the groundwork for our effort to help Filipino teachers in Louisiana escape the clutches of an unethical recruiter.

 

 

STEVE MONAGHAN

President, Louisiana Federation of Teachers

Baton Rouge, La.