Students, teachers reflect on experiences as teacher walkout ends

The policy allows business owners tax exemptions if they sell a business two years after owning it, Epperly said. Representative Scott Inman explained to teachers how much the exemption is costing the state and said democrats in the House are pushing a bill to remove the policy in order to bring in more revenue to help teachers.

Epperly said the Capitol was so filled to capacity on April 4 that teachers were occupying all four floors of the building.

“People on the fourth floor were up right next to the House listening, and then yelling back updates to everybody else, who then had to yell it down into the second floor. It was incredible,” she said.

Cassidy Jasperson, elementary education senior, said she was able to go into the Capitol and observe the discussion with legislators because of her connection with Oklahoma Education Association.

“It was a very hostile meeting to say the least,” she said. “There were teachers yelling, and the legislators were giving very canned responses and trying to just get off subject.”

Cassidy Jasperson, education senior, stands on the steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol during the teacher walkout. Her sign reads, “Time’s up! Our kids deserve better.” Submitted photo.

Lizzie Pruitt, music education freshman, said she experienced a moment at the Capitol where a women’s young son was separated from her in the crowd. She said the man who was speaking on stage asked everyone to kneel down to help find him.

“Within two seconds, 40,000 people were kneeling on the ground trying to find this little boy and he was found almost immediately,” she said. “It was absolutely precious and mind-blowing to see how united teachers are just to help students. It characterized the entire event perfectly.”

Meghan Webb, theater for young audiences senior, works at the Oklahoma Children’s Theater, which she said had invited children affected by the walkout to participate in day camps. The camp was $40 per day, and parents could pay day by day. The classes were taught by OCT faculty and OCU students, Webb said.

“They also have teenage volunteers who would normally be in high school who can be there throughout the whole day,” she said.

Kids could participate in sessions about theater, arts and crafts, critical thinking, and recess, Webb said.

“It’s nice that we’re able to help out with this because we work with these kids, we see how their education effects them, and so supporting the teachers and supporting the kids is really fun,” she said.

Many students returned to school on April 13 and began reviewing for standardized tests, Jasperson said.

More on the walkout can be found HERE.

Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association, said in a statement that teachers had accomplished all they could from the walkout.

“Despite tens of thousands of people filling the Capitol and spilling out over the grounds for nine days, we have seen no significant legislative movement since last Friday,” Priest said in a statement Thursday. “We recognize that our formal efforts to lobby elected leaders have achieved all that we will be able to accomplish this legislative session.”

Dr. Mohamed Daadaoui, professor and chairman of political science and history, said the issue has been a long-term problem.

“All of it starts from the neglect from our state legislators,” Daadaoui said. “You cannot have a viable education sector if you don’t put the money it and you don’t take care of the people that are actually at the frontlines of it.”

Monica Hiller, elementary education senior, said the walkout was a community effort, and she is inspired by everyone who has participated.

“Everybody there has one single purpose. This is the most bipartisan thing I’ve ever been a part of. This is about teachers and that we need funding in our classroom,” Hiller said.