It happened. After years of being underpaid, under-supported and treated like everyone is an expert in their profession except them, teachers are going on strike.

This is not something insignificant. It is probably the most visible symptom of how screwed up Arizona’s education system is.

Those who work in education know the reality:

• Low-income students and students of color are sadly unprepared to go to college.
• Arizona pays more per person in jail than per student in the classroom.
• Arizona has a real teacher crisis. At the beginning of the school year, there were close to 2,000 teacher vacancies and many other positions were staffed by people who don’t meet the standard teaching requirements.
• We are losing teachers in herds because universities aren’t producing enough educators, many of them are about to retire, and new teachers don’t stay in the profession longer than three years.

It is about time that someone threw a catchy hashtag in our faces and told us to wear a bright color so we could friggin’ get it or at the very least feel cool participating. Thank you #RedForEd.

But before you go out to rally in support of teachers (or while you’re doing it), here are a few things you can do so that your participation is more significant than putting on your ray bans, a red shirt, and your yelling voice.

1. Know the demands of the #RedForEd movement:

• 20% salary increase for Arizona teachers to create competitive pay with neighboring states. Arizona is 50th in the whole country in teacher pay.
• Competitive pay for ALL education support professionals.
• Permanent certified salary structure, which includes annual raises.
• Restore education funding to 2008 levels. They are currently lower than they were ten years ago.
• No new tax cuts until per-pupil funding (the amount of money the state gives schools per student) reaches the national average.

Read the demands in more detail here.

2. Educate the non-supporters. Here’s a link to a ton of information resources related to Arizona’s teacher crisis.

3. Remind people that this is about more than teacher pay. It’s about improving education for all students. A good teacher is the main predictor of student success. Unfortunately, with our teacher shortage crisis, the students who need it the most are stuck with a substitute for long periods of time.

4. If you’re a parent of a student, stay aware of what actions your school is doing and participate in them. Show your support for teachers by standing next to them.

5. If you’re not a parent, tell those who are about resources available for their kids while they are out of school during the strike. Many organizations are opening their doors at reduced prices so that kids have a place to go during the school day and many schools will still offer breakfast and lunch for their students. Check out this link for resources put together by Phoenix Union High School District: #RedForEdResources

6. If you can’t march and have some extra money, considering paying the fee for a kid to be able to go to one of these organizations for the day. Some parents can’t afford these fees.

7. Hold kids accountable for behaving well while they are out of school. Explain that they can be part of this movement by honoring their teachers with their best behavior.

8. Call your legislators and the governor’s office. Not everyone is able to get off work to be present at the rally but calling your state representative goes a long way. Actually, we should all do this even if we go to the rally. Find your legislators here. The governor’s office number is 602.542.4331 or you can send him a written message here.

8. Share the details of the #RedForEd rally:

• Meet at CHASE Field at 10 a.m.
• The march starts at 11 a.m. sharp.
• The rally will take place at the Arizona Capitol Building (1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix)
• Wear tons of sunscreen and hydrate!

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