The Chicago Teachers On Strike: ‘Until We Get What Our Students Deserve’
fter Mayor Lori Lightfoot rejected the demands of the Chicago Teachers Union, 25,000 teachers and 7,000 support staff launched a strike on Thursday, October 17, shutting down the schools for some 300,000 students. Also on the picket line were members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73, representing Special Education Classroom Assistants.
On day two of the strike, Seattle high school teacher Jesse Hagopian interviewed elementary school teacher Jesse McAdoo about the conditions in the Chicago Public Schools and why he’s walking the picket line for the schools Chicago children deserve.
Chicago educators are asking that everyone who stands in solidarity with the strike wear red and take a photo on Thursday, Oct. 24th and post the photo on social media with the hashtag, #PutItInWriting.
Jesse Hagopian: You’re starting the second day of the strike. What was the mood on the picket line over the last couple of days?
Jesse McAdoo: It has been straight fire. All of my coworkers showed up right at 6:30. We had tables set up, there was food out. Just everybody lifting each other up—amazing energy. And that fire pushed us through the cold morning. Dancing the Cha Cha Cha and the chanting. I mean, we’re having a good time out there. You got to have that good energy and that fire and remember that we’re in this together.
Hagopian: Tell me about what you teach and how long you’ve taught. What are the CONTINUE READING: The Chicago Teachers On Strike: ‘Until We Get What Our Students Deserve’ – I AM AN EDUCATOR
