Yuma County teachers walk out in unity for better education funding

Several districts took the streets of Yuma to march in solidarity for the Red For Ed movement.

Teachers expressed their frustrations and students walked with educators in support of better public school funding.

“I believe teachers should have a raise…they do so much for us and a lot of teachers have been working with us for years; I know that they stay because they actually care about how we learn,” shared Yannis Young, a local 8th-grade student.

Educators also shared their powerful message throughout the walk.

Stephanie Shindler said, “Support us, that’s what we need. We needed it for 10 years. Our kids need basic things. Just please do what is right!”

School staff also made sure their voices were heard.

Christie McMorris, a local school counselor, said this is not a proposal for teacher raises, it is beyond that.

“Proposal for teachers’ raises included classroom teachers only, not counselors, librarians school nurses. We wanted to make sure we got involved to get the word out. That this was a very limited proposal, not just for salaries, but it also did not include the classroom funding. That is probably the most important piece,” shared McMorris.

Their overall message is act now before it gets worse.

“I am a teacher and an endangered species which means right now, there are over two thousand job openings that did not get filled. Students don’t have a teacher this year and right now they are being taught by substitutes coming in and out of the classroom which is really sad,” shared Megan Springer.

Others also expressed their struggles in the classroom.

The Red For Ed movement will continue tomorrow, April 27th beginning with walk-ins as some educators plan to gather at Crane Schools to support their district.