Save Texas Schools

March 9, 2011 by Julia
Filed under Austin (downtown), Community, Parenting

As I am sure most of you have heard on the news, Texas schools are under budget constraints severe enough to impact the classroom. This means it impacts our children. It impacts our educators. It impacts our future.

I am feeling and witnessing the stress the budget crisis is having because I am a teacher and a parent of a child in public school, and there is no escaping this budget crisis. It is just a matter of degree. Every piece of introduced legislation that potentially could impact the classroom, we in the education community are feeling the reverberations. It feels like a huge hurricane that is gathering steam. We can see it. We can feel it, and what will be left in its wake, no one knows. All I know is that it won’t be good.

Teachers are public servants, humanitarians, and selfless people who give more than they take. They will take money out of their own measly pocket books many times throughout the year to outfit their classrooms when budgets are exhausted to teach other people’s children. How many times have you reached into your own pocket and shelled out money for extra markers, crayons, paper, glue, stickers, small prizes – enough for 100 people as secondary teachers do, year after year. I would wager never, and for those of you who have, thank you.

Teachers often sacrifice precious time with their own loved ones to serve a larger community. They give up personal time to tutor students, to sponsor clubs, to go that extra mile to make connections with a kid that society may otherwise write off simply because the child does not fit into a “norm.” Goodness knows how many teachers continue to cheer on their students who have long left their classrooms because they specialize not just in knowledge but encouragement. Teachers believe in the fundamentals of an educated society.

Think about this too: Even if a kid hates school, sometimes that is the only good thing in a kid’s life. Sometimes teachers are the only positive role models a kid has.

I have never been prouder to say that I am a teacher which only makes the current budget crisis that much more difficult for me to swallow. I have long gotten past how did we get here. The question is, how do we proceed from here? Voice your opinions to your state representatives. Educate yourself on how schools are funded. Volunteer at your child’s or your neighborhood school. Ask what your school may need. Thank a teacher which can go a long way to encourage a teacher. Come to the rally this Saturday, please.

From SaveTexasSchools.org:

Save Texas Schools will hold a rally and march at the State Capitol on March 12, 2011. We are expecting thousands of parents, teachers, students, community members, business owners, and faith organizations to attend. And we need YOU there with us!

The proposed legislative cuts to public education funding are unacceptable. Texas – we deserve better. If you agree, stand with us at the capitol on March 12 to say YES to a strong public education system that supports our children, our communities and our future.

We will only have strength in numbers. Join us to demand that our lawmakers put education first. The future of Texas depends on it!

DATE: Saturday, March 12, 2011

TIME/PLACE:

March: 11:00 a.m. starting from 12th & Trinity (1 block east of the Capitol grounds)
Rally: Noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Texas State Capitol on the South Steps, Congress Ave. & 11th St.

AGENDA: A number of prominent, inspiring speakers and student groups will speak at the rally, including:

Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio
Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD Superintendent
Bobby Rigues, Aledo ISD School Board
John Kuhn, Supt. of Perrin-Whitt ISD in North Texas (and author of the Alamo-style letter to Gov. Perry)
Dalton Sherman, a sixth grader from Dallas, whose inspirational speeches on education have been featured nationally
Bill Hammond, CEO of the Texas Association of Business
The Cipher, a student-led Hip Hop group focused on building positive youth
Clifton J. Ozen Magnet School Choir from Beaumont, Texas
Reagan High School All-Star Band from Austin, Texas will lead the STS March.
And more!