I’m not asking what politicians think. I’m not asking what union leaders think. I’m asking you.

As an individual teacher:

• Do you believe politics should stay out of the classroom?
• Do you believe schools should focus primarily on reading, writing, and math?
• Do you believe parents should have a fundamental right to know and be involved in their child’s education?
• Do you support school choice, including charter schools, homeschooling, and educational alternatives?
• Do you believe schools should avoid divisive topics and concentrate on academics?
• Do you believe teachers should teach students how to think, not what to think?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, I have one more: Do you believe your values are represented by your union?

Teachers’ unions are among the most politically active organizations in the country. They endorse candidates, contribute to political causes, and advocate for policies on issues far beyond wages and working conditions. They’ve taken positions on school choice, immigration, LGBTQ issues, curriculum, library books, and other controversial topics.

But what if those positions don’t reflect your beliefs?

What if you became a teacher simply because you wanted to help children learn?

What if all you wanted was fair representation at the collective bargaining table, better pay, safer classrooms, and support for students?

What if you never signed up to fund politics or causes you don’t agree with?

As teachers, you have rights too.

If your values and priorities don’t align with your union leadership, you have the freedom to decide whether union membership is right for you. No teacher should feel obligated to financially support political activities or advocacy that conflicts with their own beliefs.

Personally, I don’t want my hard-earned money going toward causes, candidates, or agendas I don’t support. I want representation on salaries, benefits, and workplace conditions—not endless political activism.

Which raises another question: Why are union leaders spending so much time and money on politics instead of focusing on teachers and students?

Many union executives earn salaries that far exceed those of the teachers they represent. Meanwhile, teachers are dealing with overcrowded classrooms, declining test scores, staff shortages, and growing demands.

Should union leadership be focused on national political battles? Or should it focus on what matters most to teachers?

I don’t believe teachers all think alike. I believe teachers are individuals with diverse beliefs and values. That’s why I’m asking you—not your union leadership, not politicians, not activists:

What matters most to you? And if your union no longer represents your priorities, should you keep supporting it financially?

Those are questions every teacher deserves to answer for themselves.