‘They aren't just teachers, they are our family’
The author speaks to students during the Davis Center sit-in. Provided photo
North High School students have been reporting and writing about the teachers’ strike for North News.
By Khadija Ba, North High School senior
My fellow students and I were once again put out of school. This time it wasn’t because of COVID-19. It was because our teachers and staff are severely underpaid.
MN Teen Activists organized a sit-in at the Davis Center on March 15 for students to fight alongside their teachers.
Part of me felt like I was obligated to speak out for these teachers, deans, and other support staff. They have played such a big role in helping me feel comfortable in my own skin and with who I am.
I delivered a brutal and honest wake-up call to the people in power.
No one can genuinely say that teachers ask for a lot. They don’t. They do their job to the best of their abilities and go home to their families.
The fact that some staff members are having to search for other sources of income because working for the school isn't providing enough for them is really disturbing to me.
Teachers, deans, and support staff should be among the highest-paying jobs. The world cannot run without these people. We get put into daycare, preschool and then kindergarten. That's when our journey begins. How would any of this be possible without teachers?
When students have problems, we are able to talk about them with our deans and learn how to properly deal with conflict. We learn altercations do not have to be solved by violence. We have our guidance counselors who not only help us through the confusing process of applying to colleges and finding scholarships, they are also our therapists when it comes to real-world problems.
Do you mean to tell me you're not paying them what they deserve? It's very selfish.
It's also selfish that, instead of paying these hard workers what they deserve and what you owe them, you'd rather have everyone out of school. And then you act like you care about the students.
You say, “You’re only hurting the students by striking.” The teachers aren’t hurting the students. You are! All of the students stand with the staff because we all have made a special connection with at least one or more teachers, deans or educational support professionals. They changed our viewpoint on life.
They aren't just teachers, they are our family. And they do way more than what is written in the job description. They shed tears with us and they celebrate victories with us.
They should already receive livable wages. The Northside community is a family. And we will always and forever have each other's backs.