Michael Greer
ON THE RECORD · 12 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“It's all about power,”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer told Fox News Digital that major teachers unions have abandoned instructional quality to focus on political power.
“That's why I'm known as one of the ‘bad boys’ in California education,”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer said his opposition to the union's political shift has made him known as one of the 'bad boys' in California education.
“When I first became a union president, it was about the teachers. We were focused on helping educators become better at what they do — helping them teach reading, math, and science,”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer explained that when he first became a union president, the focus was on helping educators teach reading, math, and science.
“We got away from teaching teachers how to teach and moved toward teaching them how to change the social system.”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer said the unions moved away from teaching teachers how to teach and toward teaching them how to change the social system.
“They will cover up to $800 for hotel and transportation, so teachers can participate.”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer said the CTA covers up to $800 for hotel and transportation so teachers can participate in state political conventions.
“They are no longer focused on children and what they are learning. It’s about what teachers can do for political power, and that’s where my problem lies as I watch my union dues being spent.”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer said the unions are no longer focused on children and learning but on what teachers can do for political power, which is why he objects to how his dues are spent.
“We took those programs back and taught our colleagues how to implement them. That has changed completely.”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer noted that union-sponsored conferences once featured practical instructional workshops that members brought back to colleagues, but that has changed completely.
“In California, the California Teachers Association is the most powerful lobbying group in the state, which also transfers into the national union.”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer stated that the California Teachers Association is the most powerful lobbying group in the state, with influence extending to the national union.
“I’ve spoken out because they aren't helping teachers on the ground floor where instruction actually happens — they are helping themselves gain the power to alter laws and regulations.”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer said he has spoken out because the unions are not helping teachers on the ground floor but are helping themselves gain power to alter laws and regulations.
“What it has changed to is teaching teachers how to become union members, how to go on strike, and how to gain social justice power,”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer argued that union political spending has shifted priorities toward training teachers on union membership, striking, and social justice activism.
“The CTA actually funds teachers to attend both the state Republican and Democratic conventions,”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer acknowledged that the CTA funds teachers to attend both the state Republican and Democratic conventions.
“I’ve seen it as a school board member, and I’ve seen it as an NEA-CTA delegate at national conferences,”
Michael Greer · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-07
Greer said he has observed the union's shift both as a school board member and as an NEA-CTA delegate at national conferences.