Posted on Apr 26, 2023
5 years after the teacher walkouts, Oklahoma's GOP has changed its tune
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https://www.npr.org/2023/04/26/ [login to see] /teacher-walkout-oklahoma-republican-anniversary
Five years ago, thousands of Oklahoma teachers joined a nationwide movement when they walked out of their classrooms to protest for better pay and more school funding. Throngs of educators and their allies marched around the statehouse, making their case to lawmakers. They were energized and hopeful – but that hope was short-lived.
Oklahoma's Republican majority ultimately blocked many of the proposals teachers walked out for in 2018. But this session, something unexpected is happening: The state's Republicans are now backing record-level education funding measures, including teacher raises and a slew of pro-labor bills.
Republican state Sen. Adam Pugh chairs the Senate Education Committee and authored several bills aimed at attracting and retaining teachers, including the state's first paid maternity leave policy for educators.
Pugh says, "I hope teachers are receiving the message that I — we — value what they do. We care about them. We need more of them."
Five years ago, thousands of Oklahoma teachers joined a nationwide movement when they walked out of their classrooms to protest for better pay and more school funding. Throngs of educators and their allies marched around the statehouse, making their case to lawmakers. They were energized and hopeful – but that hope was short-lived.
Oklahoma's Republican majority ultimately blocked many of the proposals teachers walked out for in 2018. But this session, something unexpected is happening: The state's Republicans are now backing record-level education funding measures, including teacher raises and a slew of pro-labor bills.
Republican state Sen. Adam Pugh chairs the Senate Education Committee and authored several bills aimed at attracting and retaining teachers, including the state's first paid maternity leave policy for educators.
Pugh says, "I hope teachers are receiving the message that I — we — value what they do. We care about them. We need more of them."
5 years after the teacher walkouts, Oklahoma's GOP has changed its tune
Posted from npr.org
Teaching
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Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel If they want to hold onto their teachers long term they had better do something, and quick. I have had colleagues leave the profession with over twenty-two years. Only three more years and he would have been eligible for early retirement. Between the pay, the politics and the lack of student discipline he said the hell with it. I'm lucky I can retire any day I want, not all can. The life expectancy of a teacher is seven years. Many leave after the first year with one of the primary reasons is they can't make a living on a teachers salary and have to work an extra job.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."For some teachers, the walkouts are a powerful – and painful – memory
Joel Deardorf shares Hicks' skepticism.
Deardorf is an orchestra director at Putnam City Schools in northwest Oklahoma City. He organized a teacher walkout band back in 2018.
He says he hopes the legislature will move forward with prioritizing school funding. But as the two chambers quarrel over a budget many teachers could only dream of during the walkout, Deardorf isn't holding his breath. Instead, he says his focus is on teaching.
"Teachers have to be able to block out the noise," he explains, " 'cause if not, all you want to do is look for your way out. And to a degree, I am too, but not at the expense of my kids in my classroom today and tomorrow."
Like many walkout veterans, he says thinking back on that moment in 2018 feels powerful. But it's a painful memory, too.
"I mean, it's a time period that I will never, ever forget. But I never, ever want to do it again."
Beth Wallis is an education reporter for StateImpact Oklahoma. She is also a former Oklahoma teacher who participated in the 2018 walkouts."
..."For some teachers, the walkouts are a powerful – and painful – memory
Joel Deardorf shares Hicks' skepticism.
Deardorf is an orchestra director at Putnam City Schools in northwest Oklahoma City. He organized a teacher walkout band back in 2018.
He says he hopes the legislature will move forward with prioritizing school funding. But as the two chambers quarrel over a budget many teachers could only dream of during the walkout, Deardorf isn't holding his breath. Instead, he says his focus is on teaching.
"Teachers have to be able to block out the noise," he explains, " 'cause if not, all you want to do is look for your way out. And to a degree, I am too, but not at the expense of my kids in my classroom today and tomorrow."
Like many walkout veterans, he says thinking back on that moment in 2018 feels powerful. But it's a painful memory, too.
"I mean, it's a time period that I will never, ever forget. But I never, ever want to do it again."
Beth Wallis is an education reporter for StateImpact Oklahoma. She is also a former Oklahoma teacher who participated in the 2018 walkouts."
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