This is the official Twitter account for #OklaEd, thehashtag that brings OK educators together. #OklaEd is not political & promotes constructive dialogue.
Welcome to tonight's #oklaed chat. My name is Jason James, Superintendent of #AlexPS, and I will be your moderator tonight. Please take a moment to introduce yourself, what you do, and with what school do you associate.
It's disheartening to see teachers being demonized. Sure Oklahoma teachers got a raise, but the fight has always been about educational funding, which has been ignored. The walkout is NOT about of raises. We're walking because we want what's best for our students. #oklaed
Welcome to tonight's #oklaed chat. My name is Jason James, Superintendent of #AlexPS, and I will be your moderator tonight. Please take a moment to introduce yourself, what you do, and with what school do you associate.
Welcome to tonight's #oklaed chat. My name is Jason James, Superintendent of #AlexPS, and I will be your moderator tonight. Please take a moment to introduce yourself, what you do, and with what school do you associate.
A1- Moves #OklaEd above the regional average in Teacher pay for the first time, provides money for support and $50m for operations. We MUST develop a long term plan to continue the momentum to ensure we reach and maintain the regional avg in per pupil funding.
A1: D she has had plenty of time to do right by us, to pull this now and assume she deserves thanks is laughable... I will be respectful but, i do not have to be insincere... #oklaed
A1) Somewhere between B and C. I agree, it is a step in the right direction but at the same time it was never about pay raises and our schools need further funding. #oklaed
A mixture of B) & D). I think that it is a great 1st step, but it is not even close to what is needed to restore devastating cuts to #oklaed schools.
Our kids, your kids, and my kids deserve better. But #RomeWasntBuiltInADay.
A1-
A- absolutely not fantastic
B- I would have selected this option if it just said “it is a first step” - not sure “nice” is the appropriate adjective. Especially considering the tactics after passing
C- yes
D - yes
That basically sums up all of my feelings 😂 #OklaEd
A1: B - Nice first step. I know we don’t have money trees growing at the Capitol; however, it would be nice to have it written into law that #OklaEd will get 50 million in new & additional funding each year.
A1: #oklaed To me, the pay raise was fantastic. It moves Ts to a competitive regional average. However, it is also just a first step in what many Ts believe is an intermediate step on the way to funding schools
A1) Nice first step. I don't believe in perfection. I think we as teachers and as legislators and as citizens of the world can always do better. We must continue to improve just like we must continue to always learn and be educated. #oklaed
A1. Nice first step. I never thought the #okleg would get anywhere close to what we wanted so in my mind, ANYTHING was better than I believed it would be. #oklaed
A1: D! #oklaed
I don't accept substandard work from my students, I don't give substandard instruction to my students, and I expect the same from our legislature for our students!
A1 Fantastic. Insaid earlier 1017 was the previous best. 1010 will be remembered as the most significant piece of legislation for this generation. #oklaed
Hi my name is Tanya Tiblow, I am an early childhood education student at OU Tulsa. I am very proud of what is happening with the walk out as it affects me in the future!
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
I hope I’m able to meet @repcorywilliams this week at the capitol. He doesn’t represent my district but I sure wish he did. One of the few actually fighting for us. #oklaed
"You should not be telling anyone thank you. We haven't earned that yet." @repcorywilliams on Teachers coming to Capitol Monday, responding to @GovMaryFallin saying teachers should come to say "thank you." @koconews
A1: I know this is a cop out but I have thought all four of these things over the past few days. That said, we must have assurances from #okleg that more will be done to properly fund #oklaed schools, now and in the future.
A1: explained: Can't fix 10 plus yrs of stupid with one vote, it will take time. These cuts also impacts things like funding for your school/library broadband services. You couldn't even imagine what your internet bill would be without funding. #oklaed
A1) C This was nothing but a “bone” they tried to throw and didn’t even fully fund. Members of #oklaleg tell us that the money is there so if it has been there, what does that say about them for not getting it done. #oklaed
A1: C. I am grateful for the raises, I am. But Ive been saying for a while that Ts MAY (big MAY) be willing to work for current if...Funding, class size, textbooks, classrooms, and tech were fully funded. #oklaed
#oklaed A2: not me personally, but in my district there are several Ts who will now put off retirement for 3 years to maximize their OTRS. This also helps reduce our T shortage
Hi my name is Tanya Tiblow, I am an early childhood education student at OU Tulsa. I am very proud of what is happening with the walk out as it affects me in the future!#oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2 I worry about the lack of impact on the teaching profession in Oklahoma. Will it bring back any of the certified who still live here, but went into other fields? Is it enough to keep graduating pre-service in state? I hear no. #oklaed#teachershortage
A2. With the extra cash, my wife (who is also a teacher) and I can get some bills paid and possibly start fixing up the house in case we still choose to leave Oklahoma. #oklaed
A2: As a student in is full internship, this raise is just the crumbs...it's a start, but it is not enough to be competitive with the surrounding states. #oklaed
A2 I will probably be able to afford to stay in grad school....but I don’t know that this move is enough to keep Ts in education/in state or reassure college students to pursue education as a career. #oklaed
A1 I want to see a plan for how they're going to restore funding to our schools and make sure we don't have to have a walkout in another 30 years... #oklaed
A mixture of B) & D). I think that it is a great 1st step, but it is not even close to what is needed to restore devastating cuts to #oklaed schools.
Our kids, your kids, and my kids deserve better. But #RomeWasntBuiltInADay.
A2: The pay raise helps families, but it is essential 2 grow the ed field. So many do not go into ed bc the $ is so little. This raise means we may get more 2 go into ed 4 a future profession. IDK how immediate the impact will be on T shortage. #oklaed
A2: I'm not sure. If funds are cut elsewhere to make up for it (since some of the funding is now gone), my state employee husband could lose his job, so I'm especially concerned about sustainable funding - NEW revenue... #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A1- Current legislation is a great first step. More is needed but every teacher and every school needs to be on the same page in order to be more effective at negotiating. Some are in, some are out, some are out but still having activities. #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2 #oklaed As a superintendent, the raise might let us keep some people considering retirement a little bit longer. I'm not sure it helps us recruit against Texas. We're always next to Mesquite, Midland, or McKinney at job fairs.
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2: I’m doubtful that it will have a significant impact on the shortage. It may delay some from leaving for a year or two, but I don’t see it enticing new blood into the trenches #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2 I honestly do not feel this will impact the teacher shortage much. If we settle for just these bills and do not get the "ask", then it reinforces the discussion our family has been having about leaving OK. #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2) I worry that it won't have an impact. I often help recruit early childhood teachers for our district and many will still leave the state for higher pay and more resources. #oklaed
A2: This pay raise will simply help retain some teachers for a few more years. It does nothing for recruitment. The next generation of workers won't look to education in Oklahoma as a viable option until we can make the pay respectable for professionals. #oklaed
We have been advocating for our students from a classroom for more than a decade. We must show up. We must hold our representatives accountable, we must run for office where our representatives are beholden to the oil magnates (my district has the great @Walkefor87 ).
#OklaEd
Q2: As a teacher that left the classroom, it’s not enough 4 me 2 go back. As a spouse of an educator, my husband can coach 1 less sport. As a parent, my kids deserve what was taken away and then some. As a coworker of support staff that work their tail off, not enough #oklaed
A2: for me it will be filling the hole my expiring NBCT will have. I hope it will be enough to keep a couple friends I have that are interviewing out of state but I do not have high hopes #oklaed
Cory Williams is pushing hard for educators during the #teacherwalkout to put pressure on House Republicans to pass SB1086, an elimination on the deduction on capital gains tax, “make them sign something” #okleg#oklaed
A2: I’m doubtful that it will have a significant impact on the shortage. It may delay some from leaving for a year or two, but I don’t see it enticing new blood into the trenches #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
Any additional funds will be beneficial. It may stop some of the bleeding of our Ts going to other states, but I don’t think anyone that has left would be tempted to return. “Historic” here, “Normal” everywhere else. #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2 The raises will put more money in the hands of all my teachers and support. My wife is near the top and will give her a significant increase and positively affect her retirement #oklaed
A2) My personal step is 21 and I will see about a $6950 increase in salary just as my senior becomes a college freshman at NSU. It will help us a lot. For our profession, I believe it offers hope to future teachers that we have turned a corner and they are wanted in
#OklaEd
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2 It will put a few more dollars in my pocket and help pay for things I already buy for my classroom. I don't believe it will have much of an effect on keeping/recruiting teachers. #oklaed
A2 I worry about the lack of impact on the teaching profession in Oklahoma. Will it bring back any of the certified who still live here, but went into other fields? Is it enough to keep graduating pre-service in state? I hear no. #oklaed#teachershortage
A2: Attract Ts back to the classroom. #teachershortage is a real thing. We need ppl that WANT to teach back in the classrooms. Pedagogy is a real thing too. I am grateful for the Emerg certs, but dedicated to the profession Ts are needed #oklaed
#oklaed A3 With the hotel repeal, are back to "robbing peter to pay paul"? We've already taken from the Rainy Day fund over the past few years and the Unclaimed Property Fund... what next?
It will help make certain that we have well qualified teachers available when my granddaughter enters public school. I also hope it will encourage an upswing in education studies at college. We are desperate for more teachers. #Oklaed tuesday
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2: As an administrator, it’s a superficial opportunity to possibly attract a new T until they realize that will be used to buy their own supplies in some respects. #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A3: The one thing that is creating confusion for me is the fact that there is no unity among the teachers in OK. I feel that some are okay with what has been offered, and others (like me) are not...maybe it's just me... #oklaed
A2b i am worried that it will not affect the shortage much at least initially. Bordering 2 states I can tell you that the grass is not always greener across the line. Just cant drop in and make the $ #oklaed
A3: IDK if I’m confused, but I am upset that there seems to be a lot of political games at the Capitol which is affecting the lives of many Ts in #OklaEd. I wish it was clear and understandable instead of political obfuscation.
A3: Why were certain funding streams even included in the House Bill when they new Senate wanted them gone? Why celebrate a bill that meets the axe the next day? #oklaed
A2: With the actual take home of a little less than $300 extra a month; it will pay about half of my rent each month. Which, yes....certainly helps. #oklaed
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2. This shared handout suggests using the word "increase" instead of "raise" when speaking to legislators. #oklaed The increase will help me some but it isn't life changing. I still need to work a second job.
I answered question one; I put it in a draft; now I can’t find it. So I’ll try to answer the rest and I’m sure I’ll find my answer to Q1 tomorrow. #oklaed
a3) there was a lot of fake news about how long the funding is for.. This is what I understand now.. the pay scale is approved and while some funding is only for a year, the legislature will have to find a way to meet it in subsequent years. #oklaed
The confusion comes from the process in #okleg...the House passes, the senate passes the House repeals part of it. Hard to take anything they do at face value. Always have a side game going on. I, as is most #oklaed , am wary. Don’t trust em to finish the job unless we push more
A3: Some legs are saying the funding is not there. Is it or is it not? Will my district actually receive enough $ to cover salaries AND the regular operations? #OKLAED
A2) My pitch to veteran teachers who can retire. “Stay 3 more and up your retirement 20%.” I think we will have large shortages that fourth year. #oklaed
A2) It does give me some more money and will help cover child care costs and will really help those two teacher households. I think there has got to be a way to lower our insurance premiums when other states’ teachers insurance are lower for virtually the same thing. #oklaed
A3: Great question! I'm mostly confused about what exactly will be funded with the new bill, other than teacher raises. Second, which parts could be reduced when revenue is low again? #oklaed
A3 so. many. things.
One thing that just boggles my mind is how we have managed to get into this spot. The struggles with creating/passing a budget, proper funding of education, draining the rainy day fund....how did this happen?? #oklaed
#oklaed A3 Biggest question I have is how big is the actual hole? I've heard everywhere from 25M-100M and all from reputable sources (legislators, etc)
A3) Who is for what at this point?! My confusion lies in which chamber/party/legislator/association favors revenue bills currently active and how I can effectively lobby them to support us. #OklaEd
Personally, my wife will get a raise of $8,100 +. It will help with #teachershortage by retaining our most experienced teachers, who will get an almost 20% increase in TRS benefits for life as well. #OklaEd.
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
A2) My personal step is 21 and I will see about a $6950 increase in salary just as my senior becomes a college freshman at NSU. It will help us a lot. For our profession, I believe it offers hope to future teachers that we have turned a corner and they are wanted in
#OklaEd
Q2: How will the recent #oklaed pay raise affect you and your family? Will it make a difference for the teaching profession? What impact will this have on the T shortage?
The entire bill didn't get axed.... just part of it. And I bet the people in the room negotiating the deal thought it was a good idea and then another POL pointed it out as a problem That happens. Or it was just trickeration #Oklaed
A3: Why were certain funding streams even included in the House Bill when they new Senate wanted them gone? Why celebrate a bill that meets the axe the next day? #oklaed
A3: For me it was the dishonest way it was done. There were too many holes in the funding and we already know they can’t be trusted to follow through #oklaed
A3: How the House/Senate operate. We’ll pass this if you do this...and they wonder why there are trust issues? We’ll fix it later attitude hasn’t work well for education. #oklaed
A3 #oklaed It's the slap-in-the-face reality that we can wait years to achieve a 75% majority to pass a tax increase and then undo it hours later with a simple majority vote. That's no way to govern and provide for core state services.
#oklaed “When we are told to take the day off and thank #okleg for the job well done agreeing on something, then get back in the classroom, that makes me wonder if something is not quite right.”
A2 I don’t think it’ll keep new teachers in Oklahoma but it may keep some tenure Ts for a year or two more. But this doesn’t address classroom size or case loads, all factors that affect teaching #oklaed
A3) What confuses me the most is how something can happen and there be so many different opinions about what it actually means. #Misinformation#RumorMill#oklaed
A3) Not being from Oklahoma, I am confused by the way our #okleg will pass a bill one day and defund it the next. When I sat on a City Council in California if we did that we would be recalled and replaced. #oklaed
a2) I do see that some Oklahoma students in teacher education are starting to consider staying and doing #debtfreeteachers etc.. (which includes a 4 year Oklahoma commitment) #oklaed
A2. The raise may hold teachers attention and keep them in state. The lack of revenue might counter that progress (assuming they do not find other sources). #oklaed
A3: I feel like educators are supposed to instantly trust #okleg because they decided to finally throw some cash in our direction. Years of action, or inaction, has led to mistrust. #oklaed
I'd you haven't liked the Oklahoma City Free Press Facebook page, please do that. We'll be doing FB Live reports all day around the city for the #OklaEdWalkout.
A4: I will be at my #OklaWE school making sure our Ss know we are offering meals during the walkout. I will be supporting #OklaEd in spirit as they are at the Capitol. I hope it’s communicated we appreciate the work done so far - it’s just there is so much more 2be accomplished.
A3 - The thing creating confusion is people telling me to show up & say “thank you.” I know I teach English, but I can do basic math. We passed more increases than revenue & we left money on the table. Tired of being mansplained or legisplained as @jdunnington calls it. #OklaEd
a3) there was a lot of fake news about how long the funding is for.. This is what I understand now.. the pay scale is approved and while some funding is only for a year, the legislature will have to find a way to meet it in subsequent years. #oklaed
#oklaed “When we are told to take the day off and thank #okleg for the job well done agreeing on something, then get back in the classroom, that makes me wonder if something is not quite right.”
A4: I'll be working on my National Board submissions. OKC is three hours away, the legis get there at 1:30 tomorrow, and my daughter has a 4H competition at 5:30. #oklaed But I'm kind of sad I'll miss the party!
A3: I feel like educators are supposed to instantly trust #okleg because they decided to finally throw some cash in our direction. Years of action, or inaction, has led to mistrust. #oklaed
A4: I’ll be at the Capitol. Plan to speak to some reps/sens for my home & district. Seeking increased operational funds. Supporting Ts I work with in advocating for their needs. #oklaed
A1: C. It's a first step, but not good one- history doesn't give me much reason to trust OKleg with keeping the funding appropriated where it is currently. funds only adds to my suspicions of political games being played at my kids' expense #oklaed
#oklaed A4 I will be in OKC because my students have never seen a fully funded classroom. My students deserve smaller classes and to feel safe at school. My students deserve to have highly qualified teachers in every classroom
Late to #Oklaed (baby’s bedtime!). I’m Elizabeth and I work with future teachers.
A4: I’m hoping to be at the Capitol with my kids! They have their signs made but it has to be warm enough for our 12 week old to be outside...
A4: going with my Lunch Fam and Hall Partner to ask questions in regards to the rest of what #OEA asked for. I want THAT plan, how are we getting there. #oklaed
Is it possible that some think some is better than none? I'm not saying I agree or disagree, but I'm sure all Ts make decisions on what is best for their students and then themselves. In that order #oklaed
A4) I will be engaging from afar and keeping close tabs on things. We have an all-staff event and I cannot personally attend at the Capitol. 😕 But my wife will be there and in support of #oklaed!
A4: for me to miss a day with my students I am desperate. I am desperate to get education funded. I am desperate to make sure my students become a priority again in this state! #oklaed everything I do, i do for my students!
A4: I will be taking my girls to support my colleagues and draw attention to the funding our state needs to provide my girls with the education they deserve and to advocate for funding to keep other services from being cut because of the holes in the plan #oklaed
A3 It’s an indirect issue though - funds will b cut else where which could be other services our Ss need. Funding is also not clear & the gen public won’t follow when cuts occur; they’ll only see Ts saying they need more $$ It’s like the lottery argument all over again #oklaed
Anything is possible but since the already approved the education budget #oklaed is funded for 2019 at almost $500M more then 2018. A great start but hopefully we get more in the future
#oklaed I’ll be at the Capitol, I couldn’t afford to buy a sign the #okleg wouldn’t read anyway, but I will try and talk with my representative and my senator. I will thank my rep for trying and ask my senator why he hates public education.
A4) Leaving Tahlequah at 6:15am to head to OKC to catch a shuttle to the capital. Meeting with Sen. Pemberton and Rep. Meredith at 10:00 am on the fourth floor near room 427 with about 100 friends. I do this because my students need me to do it. #OklaEd
I guess that is a possibility, but with 8 weeks of the #okleg session left and the rest of the government to fund, I'm betting the $50 million gets replaced and more revenue added with 50% measures. Such as tax credits, etc. #oklaed
I understand some are confused but the T's I have heard from are not confused but concerned that since the 50 mil is gone from GR, other things will be cut to fund increases to education. Which is why they wanted rev tied to funding as to not negatively impact other agencies.
OKLAHOMA WALKOUT 2018
Monday, April 2nd, teachers and state employees will “walk out” advocating for better pay and education funding. I’m honored and excited to be at the State Capitol tomorrow to cover this major event in our state’s history.
A4: I worry about my friends going out to the Capitol tomorrow. It will be cold, crammed with people, and lacking access to #okleg
Will they return on Tuesday when no action takes place tomorrow and their district says "get back to work"? #oklaed
A5) feeding students, providing free childcare to families, many businesses are discounting food for teachers. The #OKCPS community has come together to support their teachers #oklaed
A5: Our Ps and board members have personally told our Ts that they support the T walkout. One board member said “I have a son in school. I want you to walk for him!” That’s the kind of support we have at #OkalWE. #OklaEd
A3) my concern is with the teacher pay raise revenue going through the formula. I trust my colleague Matt Holder at sde saying we will all be better off, but still concerned about those with large local funding either off the formula or close to it. #oklaed
A4: my purpose in going to the Capitol:
1) thank #Oklaed for fighting for my kids
2) ask #okleg to adequately fund our schools
3) educate my House Rep who is very misinformed (thinks edu needs more cuts!)
4) acknowledge the huge progress that was made by passing HB1010
Our school is out! Our school board supports our teachers! Our Community Supports our teachers! Open for breakfast and lunch. Continuing Special Education services. #OklaEd
My school is not walking, but we are supporting by volunteering at schools that offer lunches and churches that are opening their doors while #okwalkout4kids is happening...other than that, we are state testing #oklaed
A5: My family went out to dinner a few days ago and saw a sign at the restaurant for 15% for teachers. Several places in Bartlesville have deals. It's pretty cool to see so much support! #oklaed
A4: I'll be at the Cap with my daughter & granddaughter. We'll be supporting teachers, talking with legislators, and registering voters! #oklaed#oklaedvotes
A5: too much to list. Community support, administration support, and PTA support is amazing. Check out https://t.co/mwEoPryyrk for more information. #oklaed
A4: I worry about my friends going out to the Capitol tomorrow. It will be cold, crammed with people, and lacking access to #okleg
Will they return on Tuesday when no action takes place tomorrow and their district says "get back to work"? #oklaed
A5: parents have been highly supportive. @MPSFOK paid for fuel to bus Ts in. Churches helping to provide meals and childcare for community kids #oklaed
A5) Tahlequah has responding in ways that bring me to tears! Citizens providing teachers with $50 gift cards. Donut shop sending us off with a free donut. Messages and texts of support. Loving the support of our community. Meanwhile they've organized to care for our kids!#OklaEd
A4) I'll be standing with my fellow Owasso teachers at a major intersection during rush hour, thanking our comm for support & asking them to join us in advocating for Owasso's kids. #Oklaed
A4: I worry about my friends going out to the Capitol tomorrow. It will be cold, crammed with people, and lacking access to #okleg
Will they return on Tuesday when no action takes place tomorrow and their district says "get back to work"? #oklaed
A5) My wife and I have received an outpouring of support from friends, family, and parents/community members. It is amazing how many people out there are rooting for #oklaed and truly understand what this means for our state.
A5 our district closed and is helping us with transportation, my friends and community are (as always) supportive, and my dad (who walked in 1990) wants to come to the Capitol this week. 😊 #oklaed
Supply and demand on the fact that "other states will just raise their pay and we will be back to 50th soon". If that happens that just means #okleg will have to continue to increase #oklaed pay
A5: providing breakfast and lunch at multiple sites every day we walk. I sent stuff home with my Ss to keep them caught up. PTA has gone above and beyond for the kids and us. #oklaed
A3) I’m confused with how one day I’m going to have one amount as a raise, then the next day it’s $1600 less, then the next day we’re not in full force with the walk-out. Something is not connected. #oklaed
A5) My wife teaches 3rd grade and has literally had multiple parents pull her aside and tell her they support her 100% and if there is ANYTHING that she needs they are there to provide it. So touching and inspiring. #oklaed
mine won't answer his phone.. :( I tried to elect @SPSheehan.. We are now redistricted in our neighborhood.. I wonder if that would make a difference in the future. #oklaed
A3 I am still confused by the #OkLeg legislature’s support of continued cuts to state services across the board. How can they imagine this is acceptable or moral? #OklaEd
A5: I’m amazed by our community in Tulsa! Volunteers are covering meals & childcare. Parents are walking along busiest intersections with signs. Businesses are offering free services for teachers. #oklaed
#oklaed We have an amazing Super that isn’t agreeing with the gov and telling his teachers to be back on Tues. My dad supports me, but he hates that gas and cigarettes are being raised and is jumping on board with the voting movement to repel.
A4 - I’ll be at the capitol! I’ll be fighting for my former students who are currently incarcerated who were failed by our system and making sure I do everything in my power to make sure another one of my babies doesn’t end up there. EDUCATION IS THAT IMPORTANT! #OklaEd
#oklaed@GovMaryFallin Do you find it embarrassing that Fallin believes teachers should “Thank” the legislature after years of neglect and cuts? Also, the funds have not been replenished to schools and the children, the raise still does not compete with Texas. Will you settle?
A5. That’s a bit of a slippery slope right now. Our admin expects us to be back to work on Tuesday which I personally disagree with. Some teachers at G’pool have a whole week of things planned and there is a Glenpool Parent group that has voiced support for us. #oklaed
True, but this is only the 2nd time in #oklaed history we've had a budget this soon. Usually we are all on pins and needles in the last week of the session watching them fly through bills to fund us as well as other agencies.
What a wonderful outpouring of community support! This is so inspiring. I hope everyone documents it well with social media! #OklaEd#OkLeg
h/t @TulsaSchools
A4) Since I’m still sick, I’m not going to the Capitol and stand outside. I am, though, going to keep my granddaughters so their mom can go to the Capitol and not have to take them. I am supporting the teachers with texts and e-mails. #oklaed
We’ll be there ensuring everyone is registered to vote and is signed up for election reminders (which you can do right now at https://t.co/E0fmTyHaia) #oklaed
@okcps is in full support. Webpage and phone lines devoted to family resources during this stoppage. https://t.co/HBLOsVPGbq I support Mid-Del Schools 100% as a product, patron, taxpayer. #oklaed
The last 10 years has been a giant failure of the great far right tax policy experiment...... cut yourself to prosperity That has failed miserably. Found out that short term growth is being swallowed by long term investment gaps in #oklaed
Again, they haven’t increased pay in 10 years even though our neighboring states have consistently been higher. Not sure that whole supply & demand thing has ever worked out for us.
A6) That education in our state should be a priority. That the walkout started years ago, when Ts began walking out of the state. That we are fighting for our state's most important resource, our children. #oklaed
A5) Our school is trying to help sift thru all the mud and muck to help Ts stay informed. Our #cpsreds community trusts/supports our Ts 💯. Whichever way our Ts want to stand, we will support their #oklaed fight
With shrinking budgets, some schools and districts have left nursing positions unfilled. A school nurse’s pay is significantly lower than those working in a hospital or clinical setting. #oklaedhttps://t.co/nIKZEYSjk9
Q4: I’ll be at the capitol giving my legislators information about all 165 reasons I have for needing better classroom funding and sharing the stories of our amazing support personnel. #oklaed
True, but this is only the 2nd time in #oklaed history we've had a budget this soon. Usually we are all on pins and needles in the last week of the session watching them fly through bills to fund us as well as other agencies.
#oklaed A6 This week was a start and I don't want to discount that. However, it's important that they follow through with promises and fully restore our funding. We didn't get here overnight, nor do I expect to fix it overnight, but there is still work to be done.
a6) I think we need to engage parents and businesses more.. We need to sell it as an economic growth issue.. companies won't come here with impoverished education. We need to engage our Chambers of Commerce versus working against each other. #oklaed
A6: I want them to know I’m thankful 4 the work so far. I want them to know there’s much more needed to pull us out of the hole 10 yrs of ed funding cuts created. I would like a law stating each yr #OklaEd gets 50 million added to the funding formula.
Long term goal for #oklaed funding would be to ensure a permanent revenue stream that grows with student population. Our kids shouldn't receive a discount education. #okleg must close the investment gap between our kids and neighboring states
A6 if you are as concerned about making OK competitive in attracting business, you MUST make #oklaed competitive, too. A CEO is unlikely to set up shop here if s/he can’t find educated workers or if recruits won’t come here b/c their kids won’t get a proper education.
A6) My message to Rep Derby is your decision not to vote was an insult that dist 74 will remember along w/your comment support staff shouldn't get any raises. And to my distinguished @DossettFor34, a genuine thank you for being our voice. #Oklaed
A6: To those who oppose adequate educational funding, may you all be defiled with the power of a thousand suns. The long term goal is to fund schools to where people (like me) would want to stay in OK for the long haul, not your pockets or your egos. #oklaed
A6: I want them to understand that Education is important - it is our future. Long term, we should probably have a funding formula that determines our state allocation by the number of students (in the state) instead of straight dollars.#oklaed
A6: It’s time for #okleg to bring in big businesses that aren’t oil and gas related. Time to let the oil and gas industry know that they don’t own them. It’s time for those men and women to understand that teachers are becoming “woke”. #oklaed
#oklaed With so many districts sending mixed messages to their Ts, the #okleg did exactly what they wanted to accomplish, prevent a statewide school closure. West Va worked because everyone was unified. Can we send the same message?
A6) We need to send the message that our kids are worth more. Education funding needs to be priority one! Oil could afford a 7% GPT, the gas taxes are still low, hotels will not lose business if they know how to structure the fees within their costs. More can be done! #oklaed
A6 I will challenge OKlegs to make OK the leader in education in the region. I will ask that they give us the same support they give football and gas and oil. #oklaed
What a blessing it was to see a public school student, who due to the school shutdown, accept Christ in her life. May our churches open nightly for prayer and song this week and revival sweep across Oklahoma due the #oklahomateacherwalkout. #oklaed#oklaleg@VictoryChurchOK
A6: remind #OKleg that Article 13-Section 1 of OK Constitution requires them to “support and maintain a system of free public schools wherein all children of the State may be educated” and that we expect them to FULLY accomplish that requirement #oklaed
A6: if you pass a law, fund it. Funding services students receive outside of schools are just as necessary. No more cuts to public ed funding when you fail to raise the appropriate revenue #oklaed
A6) The long-term goal should be to come up to and remain AT LEAST at the regional average for student investment and teacher pay. The goal is to make a long-term move to put the nation on notice that #oklaed is the place to be.
A6: I want to send the message that our students matter. They shouldn’t only be my first priority, but also theirs. They’re the future and by cutting education you’re not investing in the future of Oklahoma. #oklaed
A4 #oklaed I'll be at the Capitol to try to get answers and clarification on funding and encourage them to work harder, because fast answers aren't what are needed- good solutions are.
The hard part is, the legs are contradicting each other. One's FB post says one thing and another's says something different. They've even stated, "Don't trust us." #oklaed
The $457 million invested in #oklaed is much appreciated, but let's not forget that a huge chunck of that money has already been spent on T pay raises. Schools need money to buy resources and provide awesome learning environments.... adequate just doesn't seem good enough
I am a 2 - 4 grade Music teacher at #swelem#cpsreds I am blessed to be working for a great district who cares about their employees and students. #oklaed
A6: Ss in OK should be allowed an amazing education. We do what we can, but #okleg has gotta give too. Last in the nation in per pupil is a joke. Shouldnt it be a goal to at least not be LAST in things? #justnotlast#oklaed
A6: To remember that education and the level and quality of education our Ss receive is a trickle down effect that ends with the level of workers and our state's economy. If our Ss don't have the resources to learn, our state will suffer more than just in the classrooms. #oklaed
A6 We need long-term revenue solutions to address funding for #OklaEd and all state services. We need to not only secure a teacher pay raise, but start the shift in our political culture in #OkLeghttps://t.co/Ly1X3v7drD
A6 - Education funding should be normal. An educated society will only help our state economy in the long run. We are 1st in incarceration rates & last in education funding - those numbers have a correlation. It is shameful and immoral. #OklaEd
I want to give a heartfelt thank you to @oklacte for honoring me with the Geraldine Burns Award for Excellence in English Studies. I am proud to be an Oklahoma ELA educator! #oklaed
We took this sign to the Capitol in 2014, and it's going back tomorrow. The #okleg failure to maintain public ed is not just bad policy; it is dereliction of its constitutional duty. #oklaed
A6 if you are as concerned about making OK competitive in attracting business, you MUST make #oklaed competitive, too. A CEO is unlikely to set up shop here if s/he can’t find educated workers or if recruits won’t come here b/c their kids won’t get a proper education.
What an historic week, and a great start #okleg. Let’s keep that momentum going and restore funding to #oklaed and other core services: corrections, mental health, health care, corrections.
First this is not the same #slasandburn#okleg as we had 8 years ago. Hopefully having the will with a big #OklaEd push to + revenue will lead this group to continue adding $$ to the education budget
A6) The long-term goal should be to come up to and remain AT LEAST at the regional average for student investment and teacher pay. The goal is to make a long-term move to put the nation on notice that #oklaed is the place to be.
A6: Ss in OK should be allowed an amazing education. We do what we can, but #okleg has gotta give too. Last in the nation in per pupil is a joke. Shouldnt it be a goal to at least not be LAST in things? #justnotlast#oklaed
YES. Teachers are adults and have the choice to move for better pay, but our students don't have the choice to leave and they shouldn't have to. Children should be ENTITLED to a quality education anywhere in #oklaed.
A6: Ss in OK should be allowed an amazing education. We do what we can, but #okleg has gotta give too. Last in the nation in per pupil is a joke. Shouldnt it be a goal to at least not be LAST in things? #justnotlast#oklaed
Another teacher strike looms 28 years after the last walkout. some similarities but many differences between the two pivotal moments for Oklahoma public education #oklaedhttps://t.co/9c2xD5kEbg
A6) Another simple solution could be an across the board property tax dedicated to education funding. A 0.5 - 1% increase in all property taxes, with no exemptions, will go a long way. #oklaed
I might also say, that we need to look at education as a whole, we don't want to create a world where they graduate from high school but can't afford college. Then it was all for nothing.. https://t.co/diLbFCSmmn#oklaed
A6) Step 1...and I might add was a huge #OklaEd goal at beginning of #okleg session, is solid. Keep moving forward. It’s not enough for our state, much less our schools, to stop now. We will advocate as long as it takes to get our reps and senators to get this right
Q3: Why some schools let this “DIVERSION” (because that is what it IS) keep them from the ultimate goal—sustainable funding for education. #oklaed#oklaedwalkout
We’ll be there for those who can’t. Join us when you are ready.
#oklaed part2) Each #okleg Member should run a focus group with 10-15 Ts, find out our ideas, then put those ideas out between each other. Every one of us has a college degree, can the same be said about our #okleg?
Q6: I want education funding to be a bipartisan priority. A long term goal is multi-year funding and a dedicated revenue source that districts can rely upon and make long term plans!
#oklaed
Another teacher strike looms 28 years after the last walkout. some similarities but many differences between the two pivotal moments for Oklahoma public education #oklaedhttps://t.co/9c2xD5kEbg
A7) What are the national averages for per pupil spending and teacher salaries? Let's start chasing that OU and OSU do this every season with style! #Oklaed
Shout-outs to @joy4ok and of my brother @PhilBacharach for their tireless hard work on behalf of OK education. There have been funding issues for decades, thank you for working so hard to turn the ship.
A6 - We must have a long term plan to keep #OklaEd Teacher pay competitive and make our overall funding competitive in order to hire teachers back and provide the resources needed to ensure Oklahoma students get the high quality education they deserve.
A7: Quit playing political games. Please be clear in your support for #OklaEd now and in the future. "Make our public schools palaces - public education is the silver bullet!” West Wing - Sam Seaborn
A6) #okleg should realize we are tired of their failure(on the whole) to the Ts, Ss, and citizens of Oklahoma. They need to get a plan to handle long term funding, that’s their job, hopefully they’ll realize that. #oklaed
Late to the tweet. A2: This raise will ultimately help towards my retirement one day. I’ll see a lot less month-to-month though because of the particular impact the gas tax will have on my family. #oklaed
A7 my polite answer is additional funding immediately for support and classrooms and a realistic, long-term strategic plan to move #oklaed funding to first in our region in 5 years.
A6: This is a start to setting a precedent that #okleg values education but we have work left to do. Rome was not built in a day, but it was built. #oklaed
So if the state constitution says that #okleg is to “support and maintain a system of free public schools wherein all children of the State may be educated” and we have elected officials that say we are not, then are they themselves violating the constitution?🤔 #oklaed
A6) That they made a good first step, but the #oklaed has ten years of cuts to make up for. We should strive to fund the formula until we are at the 2008 levels per WADM.
A7 - MORE FUNDING!!!! @okea laid out a great roadmap for how to get to the full ask! Let’s actually have some BOLD leadership at 23rd and Lincoln. THAT is what would be historic. #OklaEd
Q7) To be more supportive of education. I’ll never understand how it is okay to allow our students to suffer. Our legislature and governor must do better. #oklaed
A7. Would like #okleg to actually work together and give #oklaed funding. And I would like @GovMaryFallin to just go away. November cannot come fast enough #oklaed
Tomorrow is a big day for my teacher friends in Oklahoma. I'm thinking of you all and if things don't go well, we'll take care of you in Texas 😀. #supportourteachers#fundingmatters#oklaed
A6: #oklaed knows the worth of our students, our teachers, & our community schools. Now we would like the #okleg to recognize that the quality of #oklaed, social services, & infrastructure determine if businesses decide to call OK home, & fund with recurring revenue.
A7: I’d like for them to find a way to not balance our salaries or funding on the backs of the lower and middle classes. It’d also be nice if they would quit handing out tax exemptions/credits to big businesses. #oklaed
A7: I’d like, no LOVE, for them put their actions where their mouth is. Truly equip our public schools to become the nation’s premiere centers for learning—a plan to keep them there. #NoVouchers#NoESAs#FullyFundOKEducation#oklaed
A6) The long-term goal should be to come up to and remain AT LEAST at the regional average for student investment and teacher pay. The goal is to make a long-term move to put the nation on notice that #oklaed is the place to be.
A5 #oklaed our district decided to go back to school on Monday. I do have questions about it, but am fortunate to be able to go without having to worry about taking personal day.
Dear Oklahoma Teachers,
Thank you for fighting for our kids. Thank you for the sacrifice you have made year after year in order to teach our schoolchildren....
#oklaed#OKwalk4kidshttps://t.co/qS4R5IgNcv
A7 part two I would also like to see a realistic, long-term strategic plan to diversify Oklahoma’s economy. We cannot continue to rely so heavily on one or two industries. #oklaed
A7: An actual plan that addresses the situation with dedicated revenue streams that aren’t borrowed from another service. Our kids shouldn’t be political pawns.....make education a priority, our future is in their hands. #oklaed
A7: I want education funded. I want support employees to see their raise. I want state employees to see their raise. I want these raises to be worthwhile. Use Cap gains, stop cutting core serv. #oklaed
You know what I want #okleg to learn; that they should stop trying to find ways to discredit #oklaed, that ESAs & Vouchers aren't school choice, but a money grab. I'd like them to stop rehearing the same social petty bills aimed at scoring political points and solve some problems
A7) I would like to see education prioritized with further per-pupil funding. It's time for our #okleg to make some changes and it starts with funding core services. #oklaed
It hasn't received as much attention, but state employees are also joining in tomorrow's walkout and the employee association has called for many to take the day off. #oklaedwalkout#oklaed#okleghttps://t.co/F2wE3g8HFF
I support our #cpsreds teachers with students in mind, like my two Red Tornado daughters. If T’s are satisfied, I’m satisfied. If they are hungry for more, I want them to feast until they are full of funding. Teachers decide! #oklaed
A7) funding for state employees, healthcare, mental health, social services, etc.. put b4 big oil/gas. #okleg needs to put our entire state’s needs at the front of their next few decisions. #oklaed isn’t the only group that’s been neglected/ran over for special interests
A6 - Education funding should be normal. An educated society will only help our state economy in the long run. We are 1st in incarceration rates & last in education funding - those numbers have a correlation. It is shameful and immoral. #OklaEd
A7) Never lose sight of unfunded mandates and the burden they cause. We can provide less funding and still make an impact if they get rid of many of the reform measures proven not to work that have never been funded. #oklaed
A7: pass the capital gains bill, make public education a priority over prisons, O&G, and the other special interest groups (sorry kids can’t pay for your dinners but they might some day) #oklaed
Honored and excited to be attending Courtney Stringer’s #UCO Junior Recital. Courtney is a graduate of #noblehighschool and aspires to be a HS Band Director. This is why I stay in #oklaed after 30 years! #proudpublicschoolsuperintendent
A6: #okleg here is a long-term goal. What will #oklaed look like for my 3 y/o grandson when he’s a senior? He’s oblivious of tonight’s chat, but he’ll reap the rewards of your work today.
Love..."nations premier centers for learning" our end goal shouldn't be average or average in our region...let's aim high! I expect that of my students...why wouldn't I expect that of #okleg ?#oklaed
A7: I’d like, no LOVE, for them put their actions where their mouth is. Truly equip our public schools to become the nation’s premiere centers for learning—a plan to keep them there. #NoVouchers#NoESAs#FullyFundOKEducation#oklaed
I support our #cpsreds teachers with students in mind, like my two Red Tornado daughters. If T’s are satisfied, I’m satisfied. If they are hungry for more, I want them to feast until they are full of funding. Teachers decide! #oklaed
A7 #oklaed The most obvious possibility is for the House to pass SB 1086 and for @GovMaryFallin to sign it. The senate passed it 30-9 (with 9 not voting) on March 15. It only requires a simple majority.
You know what I want #okleg to learn; that they should stop trying to find ways to discredit #oklaed, that ESAs & Vouchers aren't school choice, but a money grab. I'd like them to stop rehearing the same social petty bills aimed at scoring political points and solve some problems
A good start would be to sign the pay raise bills for Support Staff and State Employees into law. HB1024xx and HB1026xx. Should have been signed on Friday. A great follow up would be to admit state income tax cuts were too deep and reverse course. #CommonSense
A7: Start with 2008 per pupil funding level, adjust for inflation and increased enrollment, restore what has been cut to make whole again, adjust to bring us in line with the region, and go forward from there. #oklaed
A6 Long term want to see our state continue to be gr8 oil & gas state but education truly rollcoasters w the prices. We need other industry revenue! So what will that be...1st class public ed will get us that next industry! #oklaed
#oklaed A7 I would like to see increased per-pupil spending. I would like all #okleg members to spend time in actual classrooms to know what is really happening in #oklaed
I have had several Reps tell me this will all come at the expense of cutting other services. Teachers didn’t cause that. #okleg did. They wlll blame us. Stay strong! They can use the Cap gains tax but they don’t want to. DEMAND IT! #oklaed
Q6: We are willing to die on this hill. Try us. We need sustained funding for core services. If we ask for capital gains and also look at income tax brackets we can be at 1.095 billion. #oklaed
A7 - Not sure what I’ve missed or if this has been discussed but I’d like to see Fallin or whoever start having a discussion about the pay schedule. A $14k difference between a first year Tt with a BS/BA and a 25 year Tt with a PhD isn’t enough. #oklaed
A7: I want education funded. I want support employees to see their raise. I want state employees to see their raise. I want these raises to be worthwhile. Use Cap gains, stop cutting core serv. #oklaed
A7: I'd love for them all to see that "fiscally responsible" does not always mean cutting $. It means balancing a budget that funds what needs to be funded - trimming the fat is great, but it shouldn't be by starving it off! #oklaed
Wish we would have done this chat a week or two earlier. Thank you @James409Jason for this great dialogue tonight! I feel more informed with what the rest of my #oklaed PLN is thinking 🤔
A8) I want to see a long-term commitment to #oklaed more than any one thing. We cannot settle for anything less than a plan to eat this elephant one bite at a time. Our literal future depends on it. #okleg
Q7B: I’d also like to point out that they have done more when they, D’s and R’s worked together. It wasn’t perfect but it was progress. Partisan politics has hurt Oklahoma and it’s citizens immensely. #ModerateThinkingIsAGoodThing#oklaed
A7: I'd love for them all to see that "fiscally responsible" does not always mean cutting $. It means balancing a budget that funds what needs to be funded - trimming the fat is great, but it shouldn't be by starving it off! #oklaed
SPREAD THE WORD! If you plan on supporting our teachers at the capital you can meet at the HS and follow up at 7:30am. Make sure to bundle up because it will be COLD! #oklaed#teacherwalkout
I don't think I agree with that. I don't know of a single profession who doesn't respect an #oklaed T; without the teacher, no other profession is possible
A8) an end to treating funding core services like it is a zero sum game. It is not. Funding core services is an #okleg responsibility, I realize that difficult decisions need to be made but we elected our leg to legislate and fund the gov #oklaed
Q8:I’d like to see them follow through w the T & support pay raise & the 50 million funding 2 #OklaEd. I’d also like 2 see them write into law that they will add 2 the funding formula each year. We need continued funding 2 fill in the crater a decade of decreased funding created.
I told my kids I was fighting for 3 reasons.
1 Educational Funding
2 Teacher Raises to help retain and sustain
3 Support Staff raises
#2 has been completed. #3 is on the governor's desk #1 is a big question mark
#oklaed
#oklaed True conversations and legislation backed up with sustainable income for our classrooms. I did it become a teacher to get rich, I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life, the same way a teacher made a difference in mine. I don’t want to be a babysitter.
A8: R E S P E C T for the valuable work of teachers, paras, custodians, bus drivers, cooks, admins and RESPECT for our students and their learning experiences & environments
#oklaed
A8) Easy as 1, 2, 3:
1. Fix HB1010xx by replacing the $50 repealed.
2. Fund our students with an additional $25M through a myriad of other measures.
3. We can do better for our support employees by finding an additional $10M for them. The Oklahoma Standard is higher! #OklaEd
Why the OEA package? And does it all have to be at the same time. #okleg passed a significant part of the OEA package. Now they need time to finish the deal. #oklaed
A8 Funding for students and a real plan for moving forward. Many Ts want to walk until they get it all...because they don't trust #okleg to work with them later. #oklaed
A8) Let’s compromise...Give 4 years to get to $10k raise, 2years for funding, 1/2 this and 1/2 next year, support and state employees get $5k raise over 4 yrs #okleg#OklaEd
A8: this is my work. I’m just not at my school. I’m also not vacationing bc of this. This is my work! So don’t assume I’m not working. I take this serious. Restore the cuts and ill be working again at my site. #oklaed
A6: Ed funding isn't just the concern of parents & educators, but anyone w/ an investment personal or professional in Okla. Businesses won't want 2 come nor STAY in a state ranked 50 in education/ #1 in incarceration. The quality of #oklaed will determine our State's future.
I am concerned that once we all go home, once the cameras are looking the other way, it will be business-as-usual for the #okleg, which hasn't been good for #oklaed.
Why the OEA package? And does it all have to be at the same time. #okleg passed a significant part of the OEA package. Now they need time to finish the deal. #oklaed
A8: I'll be back as soon as my district is open again. I do believe we have a good first step and I'd be willing to press for a more permanent solution as soon as we get more receptive "representatives" at the Capitol. #oklaed That said, I applaud those who fight now. Confused.
A8: I will go back when my district says it is time. Which as of now is when majority of TS say it is time. Survey daily to decide. I will stand with my colleagues #oklaed
A8: I will go back when my district says it is time. Which as of now is when majority of TS say it is time. Survey daily to decide. I will stand with my colleagues #oklaed
A8: I want to see some sort of long term plan from a combined group of folks like the OEA, the State Dept. of Ed, Senators and Congressmen, and our teachers and administrators. That might be a pipe dream but, how great it would be to them all working together. #oklaed
Wish we would have done this chat a week or two earlier. Thank you @James409Jason for this great dialogue tonight! I feel more informed with what the rest of my #oklaed PLN is thinking 🤔
You know what I want #okleg to learn; that they should stop trying to find ways to discredit #oklaed, that ESAs & Vouchers aren't school choice, but a money grab. I'd like them to stop rehearing the same social petty bills aimed at scoring political points and solve some problems
A8: I will go back when my district says it is time. Which as of now is when majority of TS say it is time. Survey daily to decide. I will stand with my colleagues #oklaed
A6: Our schools and kids deserve adequate resources! A dramatic increase in per student funding is my goal. Here’s my daughter with her sign for tomorrow... #oklaed
OEA’s package has promises for year 2 and 3. I don’t trust #okleg to fund years 2 & 3 or beyond simply because they passed revenue. I want it in writing.
Let’s be clear. A great education for our children doesn’t come from adequate teacher pay OR sufficient funding, it comes from BOTH. #oklaed#TeacherWalkout#WhyIWalk
A8: I want to see some sort of long term plan from a combined group of folks like the OEA, the State Dept. of Ed, Senators and Congressmen, and our teachers and administrators. That might be a pipe dream but, how great it would be to see them all working together. #oklaed
You know what I want #okleg to learn; that they should stop trying to find ways to discredit #oklaed, that ESAs & Vouchers aren't school choice, but a money grab. I'd like them to stop rehearing the same social petty bills aimed at scoring political points and solve some problems
At the end of the day just remember that this is all about RESPECT.
We want #oklaed to be respected.
We must remain respectful in our interactions with #okleg.
Dear Oklahoma Legislators,
On behalf of our 700,000 kids: get some rest tonight. I and a few tens of thousands of my closest friends will see you in the morning.
#OklaEd#TheTimeIsNow#WhyWeWalk#TeachersUnited#okleg
For me it comes down to passing the additional funding where I felt confident that additional cuts would not occur when the general fund and the appropriations did not match up
A9) Why they feel that this lack of funding for #oklaed has been acceptable for so long. I have a feeling they will be like my Rep(Dunlap) was last week, a one legged unicycler. #oklaed
A8: Raise the GPT to at least 6%, Knowing I'm not an economy expert, the special interest group we must begin protecting is our citizenry, not oil, gas, and wind energy. #oklaed
At the end of the day just remember that this is all about RESPECT.
We want #oklaed to be respected.
We must remain respectful in our interactions with #okleg.
OEA’s package has promises for year 2 and 3. I don’t trust #okleg to fund years 2 & 3 or beyond simply because they passed revenue. I want it in writing.
#oklaed Why are Superintendents changing their support and not standing together with teachers, knowing how we have gotten here? More rhetorical in nature, I know, but I believe it is a ? worth pondering.
#oklaed Q10: Share with everyone 1 Great Thing going on at your school right now? Whether in your classroom or a teaching peer, what is 1 thing you want people to know is awesome at your school.
A9: for the schools that won’t be at the Capitol Monday or only coming Monday.. did the teachers or admin decide that? #oklaed were you able to say what you think or told what to think? That’s my questions.
We've had reforms for 10 straight years without funding. lets try to have funding for 10 straight years and allow the reforms to work. Maybe we've fixed the problem. We just need time to see the solution #oklaed
A9 Has there been any discussion, in the chat today or in general, about the the pay schedule? I know it may sound like I’m beating a dead horse but I truly believe that the pay schedule needs to be improved. #oklaed
A9: we were here 29 years ago, we’ve rallied each year for past several, we’re here now (& for how long?). Can you hear us?... Dear #okleg, what actionable plan will you implement from now through indefinite future to keep us from having to come back? #oklaed
pay schedule was improved. The teacher pay raise bill was signed into law on Friday by @GovMaryFallin and changes the minimum salary schedule per the new T payraise #oklaed
We can't blame this on "fat" and waste. When you go on an extreme diet, you lose muscle-not fat. When you make extreme budget cuts, you lose muscle. The fat survives. The body politic is much like our physical bodies. Cutting funds just damages muscle and heart.
Incredible: Teachers in Okmulgee that walk out past Apr 2nd will have to pay for a substitute out of their own pockets. Here’s part of an email from superintendent Renee Dove #oklaed#oklahomateachers#oklaedwalkout
A6: Compared to my kids’ school in Fayetteville, AR, #oklaed class sizes are much bigger, kids don’t have the same specials (no art or music at some schools), fewer reading/math specialists, field trips very rare. My kids deserve what students in other states receive!
A10) Last month, we received the Striving Readers Grant! Excited to see the change this increase in funding has in store for the schools involved. #oklaed
Thank you @James409Jason Best wishes to all whether you're in a classroom or at the capitol. We are all in this together. Our kids need us where ever we are. #oklaed
A10) #swelem Ss have read over 51,000,000 words as a school the last 2 nine weeks! 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders getting stuff done b/c of their awesome Ts! #oklaed
#oklaed Q10: Share with everyone 1 Great Thing going on at your school right now? Whether in your classroom or a teaching peer, what is 1 thing you want people to know is awesome at your school.
#oklaed If we don't vote...and don't vote for pro-education candidates, I guarantee our efforts will be futile. Please join me in Chalking the Vote, and encouraging educators to go to the polls. https://t.co/PPNdpGJESD
A10) we are about to go compete in National History Day in Weatherford. Every year, for the past 28 years, we send 10-15 kids to Washington DC to compete for a national championship! @NationalHistory#oklaed
You know what is awesome at #AlexPS ~ we just completed parts 1 & 2 of our $34M bond issue. We just moved into our new MS, HS, complete with Storm Shelter. About to break ground on new Elem school and STEM/AG lab #oklaed
Many districts are going to be facing some very difficult decisions. Some are trying to force their districts hand, some are already being told to bring Dr. notes if gone, none of this will help culture or keeping TS #oklaed
Improved by raising the minimum, correct? Was the gap between the lowest pay and the highest pay increased? Are future teachers going to have a significant financial incentive to improve and remain in the classroom? #oklaed
A10) We are thankful for our community in Alex! They have voted on two bonds, allowing for our new facilities, and our facilities are full of an amazing staff! I’m proud to be an Alex Longhorn! #oklaed
A10: At Clinton #cpsreds we have the most AMAZING Admin who has been able to support our district and/or help us find grants and funding to take care of most of our Ss classroom needs, unlike many of the photos being posted. Thanks @coach57 for all of your support! #oklaed
#oklaed Q10: Share with everyone 1 Great Thing going on at your school right now? Whether in your classroom or a teaching peer, what is 1 thing you want people to know is awesome at your school.
My niece teaches at Western-heights they were told to use the day to say "thank you" and return to class on Tuesday...🤢😡 No one has the right to dictate another's feelings/beliefs. #OklaEd
A10 - My school is full of students who will be graduating in May as the first in their family and then they are going on to college! THIS is huge and THIS is what education is all about! That is a game changer for generations to come!! #OklaEd
#oklaed Q10: Share with everyone 1 Great Thing going on at your school right now? Whether in your classroom or a teaching peer, what is 1 thing you want people to know is awesome at your school.
I hope to see many of my #oklaed friends at the Capitol tomorrow.
My message to #okleg is simple: Cuts have consequences. We are fighting for our students because they deserve the best and we can do better!
#Oklaed The education underfunding debacle IS an economic issue. Our S must be adequately educated so that their education is recognized to have value nationally. Face it, T pay is seen as quality/inequality of Ed product
