Key Takeaways
- Thousands of educators, students, and citizens against gun violence rallied in DC at the “March for Our Lives” rally.
- Demanding more from elected leaders includes collective action, as seen recently in West Virginia.
- Change can even happen in the classroom, and local unions can lead that charge.
Last month, I watched as thousands of educators from across the country rallied in dozens of “March For Our Lives” events and listened to the students from Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who bravely said, “Enough is enough!” Enough with guns in our schools. Enough with devastation, heartbreak, trauma, and grief. We must keep all students safe in all public schools.
The reaction toward the shooting in Parkland says time is running out for those in power who oppose common sense gun restrictions. We’ve fought for decades to ensure our schools are safe. I am confident student activists will create change where others have failed. In this magazine, we honor them, we thank them, and we want them to know we are with them—every step of the way.
Nationwide, students and educators are demanding more from elected leaders. In March, we saw the power of collective action when West Virginia educators in each of the state’s 55 counties walked out of their schools. For nine school days, they refused to return until legislators agreed to invest more money to attract and retain quality educators. Be inspired by their story on Issues & Impact.
Strikes and marches aren’t the only path to change. Change happens in schools and classrooms daily. Professional development doesn’t sound particularly riveting, but when local union leaders take charge and make it personal development it sets the stage for remarkable change. See Professional Development Gets Flipped.
Right now, Janus v. AFSCME, a case aimed at weakening public service unions, awaits a Supreme Court decision. But I know this today: I am proud to stand with NEA educators in fighting for what’s right for our students.
Be sure to visit neatoday.org to keep up with the Janus case and other news affecting public school educators.
