Deming Education Association President Susie De La Torre said the rally is not a protest against Deming Public Schools at all, since the testing and other issues are being mandated by the New Mexico Public Education Department in Santa Fe.
De La Torre said the rally is designed instead to show solidarity from our community in support of professional teachers and administrators, and students, and the issues they are facing.
The controversial new state-mandated teacher evaluation system is also an issue for the rally.
De La Torre said teachers are not opposed to being evaluated, but are objecting to the unfairness of the new system. De La Torre said teachers are now evaluated nine times throughout the school year – a procedure that burdens administrators as well as disrupts classrooms.
The rally is set for this Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the corner of Ash and Gold Streets. Supporters of Deming teachers and students are encouraged to wear black to the rally.