Recently, teachers in school districts all over the state have voted to “walk out” on their jobs as a form of protest against low funding for education. The teachers have valid concerns, but are sending their message incorrectly. As a student at Glacier Peak High School, I am all for properly funding education, but spending one less day in the classroom is not the way to fix the problem. By voting to walk out, teachers are interrupting vital learning time, and inconveniencing families.
This week, Snohomish School District teachers voted to walk out. The walkout is occurring during the Advanced Placement testing window, which will cost students vital preparation time with teachers in the classroom for those important tests. Teachers need to put their students ahead of their gripes. Teachers are looking for the legislators in Olympia to do their jobs. The teachers are not helping by choosing to act exactly like the Legislature; by walking out, teachers aren’t doing their jobs!
The teachers could have just as easily protested at any time when school is not in session. In fact, it would probably send a stronger message to protest on a non-working day. That would show not just the Legislature, but the community, how determined teachers are to fixing this problem. While the teachers think these walkouts will affect the Legislature and its decision making, the only people they are affecting are the students and their families. Hopefully, teachers in other districts will not walk out on their students at a critical time in the year and instead and choose to remain in the classroom.
Steven Whitman
Glacier Peak High School student,
Snohomish
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