Spokane Teachers Join Walkout

Finch Elementary School teachers, from left, Marcie Zambryski, Jolene Knudsen, Paulla (cq) Lally and Courtney Michelson acknowledge passing motorists at the corner of Ash and Northwest Boulevard today, during Spokane Public School’s one-day strike to bring awareness to funding public education. (SR photo: Dan Pelle)

Spokane and East Valley teachers began their one-day walkout Wednesday morning to protest the Washington Legislature’s failure to meet a state Supreme Court demand to increase school funding. Teachers began gathering around 8 a.m. at the intersection of Ash Street and Northwest Boulevard and at Manito Center at 29th Avenue and Scott Street. They said large classes and too much standardized testing are cutting into the time and resources available to students, and school staff aren’t being paid enough for their work. “I put in a lot of hours that I don’t get paid for,” said Brian Monger, a math teacher at The Community School on West Knox Avenue. “And unfortunately that’s the only way to be an effective teacher right now. That’s the only way to make a difference in the kids’ lives”/ Scott Maben & Chad Sokol , SR. More here.

Question: I wonder how loudly the Spokane teachers would protest if they had to work for wages and benefits provided by Idaho?