Five Things to Know about the Teacher Walkouts across the United States.
On February 22nd, thousands of teachers, custodians, and bus drivers marched on West Virginia’s capitol in an unprecedented nine-day movement to call for higher wages. As they left their schools with their picket signs, their absences created shutdowns in every school district of West Virginia — at one point, every public school in West Virginia was closed due to the walkout. Since then, Oklahoman teachers have followed in their footsteps, and teachers across the country may follow as well. Here’s what you need to know:
#1: Teachers in America are Extremely Underpaid.
According to some estimates, the average teacher starting salary in America is $38,617, and the average teacher salary overall is $58,950. West Virginia’s starting salary is $33,684, and Oklahoma’s starting salary is $31,919. Simultaneously, the average starting salary of all college graduates is above $50,000, making teachers some of the most underpaid college graduates in the country.
Researchers suggest that on average, American families of two parents and two children need $48,788 to maintain a basic standard of living. However, for teachers with heavy student loans and many children, it is difficult to make ends meet without taking on additional jobs. It is also often the teacher’s duty to provide expensive classroom supplies for their students.
#2: Teachers Work Long Hours Too.
School days are typically six to seven hours long, but teacher workdays do not end when the bell rings. Teachers spend up to an average of twelve additional hours each week on non-compensated school-related activities. Outside of class, they grade papers, tutor students, meet with parents, meet with departments, fulfill bus duties, and advise clubs.
During the summer, many are off preparing lesson plans and teaching summer school and online classes. Some pursue advanced degrees, and others attend classes to earn or renew certification.
#3: Teacher Unions are Leading the Walkouts — But Not Every Teacher is Satisfied.
Under West Virginia law, it is illegal for public employees like teachers to go on strike. However, teachers have persisted in their efforts to increase their salaries and benefits. The movement was first led by teacher unions, but after union leaders decided to end the walkout by reaching a compromise with legislators, teachers themselves continued the movement. The teacher union Oklahoma Education Association also called for the Oklahoma walkout to end after a lack of legislative action — an act that was met with outrage from many teachers.
However, the end of the walkout has been met with relief from some teachers. Some have shared their disagreement with the walkout on the Facebook page “End the Oklahoma Walkout.” “Could Oklahoma students use even more funding for education, sure!” one teacher wrote. “So could health care, roads, etc. The problem is that no one is keeping close tabs on how our current funding is being spent. Who’s to say the money is even going towards the things teachers so desperately need. We need accountability.”
#4: Legislators have Made Compromises on Teacher Salaries.
In West Virginia, Governor Jim Justice initially signed a bill to increase teacher salaries by 2% — a raise many teachers believed to be too low to account for the rise in the cost of healthcare. After more debate and failed bills, lawmakers passed a bill creating a 5% increase in teacher salaries.
Over a month later, lawmakers in Oklahoma passed a bill that would raise teacher salaries, on average, by $6,100 and increase education funding — which covers supplies and textbooks — by $50 million. This is significantly less than the $10,000 increase in salaries and $200 million increase in funding that teachers called for.
#5: Teachers are Back in Class — But the Movement Doesn’t End There.
Union leaders are now focusing their efforts on the upcoming midterm elections to support politicians that will increase education spending. Over a dozen teachers-turned-activists are now running for state office to create political change.
Around the country, unrest and discontent are brewing. In Kentucky, teachers weren’t the only ones walking out of their classrooms — hundreds of students at Pike County Central High School left class to protest changes in educators’ pensions. In Arizona, a walkout is expected to occur soon as restlessness and tensions have risen.
No matter the outcome of the recent teacher walkouts and protests, teachers across the nation have created unprecedented change and activism.
