Teachers often have to sacrifice a comfortable lifestyle in order to do their jobs and make a difference in students’ lives. They enter the profession knowing that they won’t make much money, but they’re willing to take a pay cut in the hopes that they can secure better resources for their schools and communities.
The most common reason for teacher strikes is to seek higher wages, but many also strike over other issues that directly impact their students’ educational experiences, such as smaller class sizes, more funding per student, or more support staff. Teachers in certain types of districts are more likely to go on strike, including those with lower per-student spending and higher poverty levels. And some strikes have focused on social justice issues that are not directly related to schools, such as affordable housing or immigration policy.
Striking can be very difficult for teachers and their school sites. It’s hard to maintain classroom routines without instruction, and it can be stressful for students who lose out on 11 instructional days. But it’s important to remember that teachers and their unions are not trying to take away students’ education, they just want a fair deal.
To help your school site withstand the challenges of a teacher strike, start by keeping communications with your community and your parents open. Then plan ahead, so that you’re ready to provide learning opportunities for your students when they return from the strike. Lastly, be patient as you work to rebuild trust with your colleagues.
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