If we do political stuff in our own time, no problem. If we let it distract us from our job we are just making the situation worse. We are failing our students directly, in an effort to show how wonderful *we* are.

Countries with highly politicised teacher bodies tend to have poor education systems. Because capable but non-political people are scared off. If going all political makes good teachers leave, then it is a self-inflicted injury.

Personally, I think teachers need to be political. But keep it to themselves. Resist the temptation to show off how awesome they are because they *really* care.