I am a recent graduate of a small school in north-west Oklahoma. My graduating class was 31 people and I knew and still know many of the teachers that taught me.
Even though I am not attending college in-state, I have heard so much about the teacher walkout. Some people support it wholeheartedly and some dislike the idea and think that the teachers should get back to work. As a graduate of an Oklahoma school and now being in college, in a different state, I have seen the downsides of how our school systems have been run and I agree there needs to be a change.
Miss Oklahoma USA took a stand (to the left).
Many opposers to this idea think that the teachers are walking out strictly for higher pay. While this is partly true, it's not the only reason.
Teachers did attend college, however, they are trying to pay off their loans just like any other graduate. I have also always been aware that the teachers in Oklahoma spend a lot of their own income just to have enough supplies for their classrooms.
Many of my teachers had bought their own books just so that we had enough for the class to take home. These learning conditions also made it difficult for our classrooms to get updated textbooks. My math teacher would always have the class tape the binds of them just so that we could have enough for the next year.
I came to college thinking school work was easy and that college would be the same - I quickly learned differently. In high school, I didn't have to try at all to get A's in all my classes, mainly because everything was so outdated that it was somewhat common sense or useless. Don't misunderstand me, college should be and is harder but the difference should not have been as dramatic as it is.
This semester, I am in a biology lab, something my school didn't offer. While my high school does have a lab area, it is never used because we don't have the right equipment to use it or to keep it in working condition.
The first time I had seen a microscope was the day I was being tested on what parts are called and how to use it. The exam is the first thing that we do before the lab so after the test, my lab instructor had to help me with finding the organism I was looking at. Luckily, my lab partners also had an idea of what they were doing and helped as well.
I support the teacher walkout for three main reasons:
The first being that teachers shouldn't have to be spending their own paychecks for basic rooms supplies like books. That's like saying you're getting a job as a doctor and you're expected to have all the equipment for open heart surgery.
Second, raising the funds for schools will help current students in the school system. Giving our students the best we can help them as they move on with their lives and hopefully continue their education.
Lastly, Oklahoma students should have just as much education and opportunities within their education as other states. We shouldn't be struggling so much more than other states when we continue our education. If we want what is best for our state we must do the best for our students.