Another Report from the Frontlines at CUSD’s Teacher Strike

Another Report from the Frontlines at CUSD’s Teacher Strike

April 23, 2010

By Dan Chmielewski

Teacher Kay Serafini is comforted by sixth-grader Nikki Sadriafter after the teacher was seen crying on the picket line at Carl Hankey K-8 School in Mission Viejo. (Photo courtesy of Tribune Media)

Editor’s note: This is a front line report on today’s CUSD strike from a CUSD teacher; we’re protecting the writer’s identity so the district doesn’t go after this person onc ethe dispute is resolved. We encourage any striking teacher or CUSD parent to comment to this post and tell us what you’re hearing and how you feel about how your CUSD school board is handling this crisis.
-Dan Chmielewski
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Attendance on the line was down in some ways, and up in others. Some teachers had their layoff hearings today and couldn’t be there, but on the bright side, several teachers who worked yesterday came out and struck with us today – awesome! Think about that – teachers who are under risk of being laid off are striking. This should indicate just how serious this whole strike is to the future of our profession.
It’s hard walking the line, but we’re still feeling good and spirits overall are high. Several of our teachers were interviewed by TV reporters, plus many teachers from other schools have been on the air.
Several of the scabs were aggressive with their vehicles, one trying to bump striking teachers. You can legally walk across an entryway or driveway without immediately yielding to a vehicle. After all, in driver’s education I was taught that the pedestrian always had the right of way. Some of these