Teachers Outrage Results in Strikes.
Across the United States, thousands of teachers have been participating in strikes and protesting to bring attention to the issues of low teacher salaries, poor classroom conditions, and declining education spending. These strikes have kickstarted a nationwide discussion.
A wave of teacher strikes began on February 22, 2018 after approximately 35,000 education workers went on strike for two weeks in West Virginia. This statewide strike resulted in a five percent raise for West Virginian teachers, and ultimately inspired other American teachers to stand up and join the fight.
Since the famous West Virginia Teachers’ Strike, there have been hundreds of other strikes across the nation, igniting a national movement that is now known as the “Red for Ed” movement.
Some students agree with the goals of teacher strikes and believe that teachers deserve higher pay.
“I believe [teachers] should be paid more because of the intense amounts of stress and work they have to deal with,” junior Lorenzo Demain said. “Lots of teachers also pay for their own classroom materials with money from their own pockets.”
Some students agree with the movement so much that they want to get involved and play a role in supporting their teachers.
“As a student, I want to support my teachers and help them,” sophomore Hanna Closs said. “I can do that by asking my teachers questions [about the movement] and even raising awareness of issues on social media.”
Some feel that teacher’s strikes are the most effective form of protesting, rather than walkouts, marches, or any other methods.
“Teachers going on strike causes a commotion, and the more commotion that teachers make, the more the government will want to listen to what they have to say,” freshman Landon O’dell said.
While some students see teacher strikes as a successful way of recognizing important issues, others believe strikes have negative impacts, specifically on students.
“When teachers go on strike, it affects our school environment,” sophomore Louis Berini said. “School days get cancelled, classes get substitute teachers, and, overall, students just [are not] really getting the full education that they should be.”
Some teachers believe it is important that students are educated about the Red for Ed movement.
“Some of my students might grow up to be teachers, so I think they should know what [they are] signing up for,” history teacher Christian Tardieu said. “Also, [the movement] is just a huge event that they should know a little bit about.”
Despite the wide range of opinions about teacher strikes, the Red for Ed movement, and the massive conversation that it triggered, are still going strong.