The Oklahoma teacher walkout that started on April 2, 2018, and has continued for a full 5 days and probably will continue on is currently making history. School districts all over the state are choosing to cancel classes to get the attention of legislators and waiting for change. Teachers are choosing to walk not only for themselves and for their students, but for the future education system in Oklahoma. Mary Fallin is quoted to have said, "Teachers want more. But it's kind of like a teenager wanting a better car." No, Governor Fallin, you're just giving the teachers back what you took away 10 years ago. Oklahoma hasn't had a pay raise in over 10 years!

I've heard so many people both in real life and on the news say things like, "well teachers get summers off. They get holidays off. They're fine." No, actually it's not fine. Teachers always take their work home, work on the weekends, work 12+ days, work during the summer, most likely have more than one job, and they plan ahead for their next year of classes. In addition, teachers have to constantly change and adapt their lessons to the ever-changing curriculum and state-mandated tests. Teachers are overworked and underpaid, they definitely deserve more!

I'm an elementary education major. I have friends in class that say, "well you obviously don't want nice things because you're going to be broke forever. You'll have to work three jobs to make ends meet. Enjoy that." I have always known that I have wanted to be a teacher. Don't crush someone's dreams and goals just because you don't agree with them.

Oklahoma won't only be a joke of the U.S. but we will be of the world. Oklahoma has made international news because we are one of the lowest teacher salaries in the entire U.S. Oklahoma needs to give the teachers what we want and what we deserve. Educate Oklahoma.