Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates recently sparked controversy with a comment that seemed to unfavorably compare Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to a student who requires an individualized education program (IEP). Davis Gates was reported to have said that Pedro is the terrible student in the classroom who can’t get suspended because he should have an IEP and maxed out his days during a union meeting. Following criticism, she issued an apology, admitting to a lapse in judgment in her choice of words. WBEZ noted her immediate regret and subsequent apology at the same meeting where she made the statement.
Amidst the negotiations for teachers’ contracts which seem to have hit an impasse, the conversation about Martinez’s performance as the CEO was framed. He was given a six-month notice of termination by the Chicago Board of Education in late December. Davis Gates' controversial analogy came shortly before she took responsibility for her words, saying, “I regretted the way I tried to get my point across and immediately apologized,” according to a statement she gave to WBEZ. She affirmed her commitment and that of her union to advocate for better support and resources for CPS students, particularly those with disabilities.
While Davis Gates clarified that her intention was not to insult any child with special needs, the comment was met with backlash from various advocates and stakeholders within the special education community. One special education teacher, who remained anonymous, expressed to WBEZ their concern over what could be perceived as an alarming lack of understanding about special education. In contrast, another anonymous teacher conveyed to WBEZ that they believed the apology to be sincere and not meant as an insult to any students.
Critics were further fueled by the ongoing tensions between CTU and Service Employees International Union 73 over the delineation of roles concerning special education jobs. This adds a layer to the dialogue, as special education assistants fear their jobs may be marginalized by CTU’s proposed contract language. A parent of a disabled child and advocate for special education, Terri Smith spoke to the Chicago Tribune expressing disappointment in Davis Gates and concern for the implication of her comments on attitudes towards students with special needs.
In response to the incident, Chicago Public Schools issued a statement, saying, “CEO Martinez is disappointed to learn about this remark but he trusts that it does not reflect the sentiments or stance of our hard working and professional teachers.” CTU has continued to advocate for more support and resources for students with disabilities, highlighting the union's position on the importance of such programs. Despite the controversial comments, Davis Gates and CTU maintain that advocating for these students remains a high priority as evidenced by their push for increased professional development and involvement of IEP team members in the current contract proposals—as chronicled by the Chicago Tribune.
