State Walkout Impacted Education Students

By Rebekah Skeens

On March 28, 2018

Pin It

Education students at Concord are skeptical of West Virginia's education climate.
Photo Courtesy of Time Magazine

Thursday, Feb. 22 marked the commencement of a statewide public teacher walkout across all 55 counties in West Virginia. The walkout canceled all public schools, which affected more than 270,000 students in the state.

The American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia and the West Virginia Education Association organized the walkout. The original plan was for schools to be closed on Feb. 22 and 23 for changes in the insurance plan to be made. Many teachers across the state protested until a 5 percent raise was eventually granted.

The state walkout has impacted residents and community members all over West Virginia. Even throughout the nation, other states are recognizing why the protest is occurring. More importantly, not only are teachers in this state affected, but education students at Concord have concerns about how this may affect their futures.

An anonymous Concord education student mentions that she is taking a class that requires student teaching. For this semester, she has over 80 hours she must log in order to pass. She worried that with the strike, she would not have her hours to pass the class. Some assignments were put on hold during the strikes, but there was still concern, she stated.

The future is uncertain for the education student. “As of now, due to the strike, it makes me want to leave West Virginia and go to another state where the education system is stable.” She continues by saying how she would love to stay here and teach after graduation, but political issues and uncertainty are pushing her away from the area.

Education department professors sent out an e-mail to education students explaining that placement or student teaching hours could have been cut depending on the length of the protest, but many students were still concerned. In classes such as Education 210, there are a certain amount of field hours students must complete to pass the class or even to graduate. For those students whom this may have affected, it was stated that they would not have to repeat the entire course.

A concerned elementary education student, who is in field placement at a local Mercer County school, was unsettled by the recent walkout. She is in course that requires field placement. This semester, due to a scheduling conflict, she was only able to take 15 hours. This is one hour a week in the school. The strike had put her behind at least one hour. With this class, it also requires large assignments as part of being in the classroom, and so instructors had to readjust those assignments. With only a little over a year before she becomes part of the profession, this affects her future tremendously. Due to the strike, she states it has made her sit down and think about what the future may hold. If the education system continues to be unstable, she mentions that she is young, and it is not too late for her to work toward another degree.

As part of receiving a degree in education, students must take the Praxis exam and PLT in order to get a license. All students hope for high scores, but for this student, she wants to score very high. By getting a higher than average score, it would be possible for her to get a job in an education system in a bordering state. “I feel like teacher’s voices aren’t respected here. Our voices don’t mean anything.”

Senior Makayla Charles, Elementary Education Student, shares how she believes this protest was a positive influence for her future as a teacher. She is currently a student teacher, but unlike others, her hours aren’t being affected by the walkout.

Education students at Concord are being faced with an incredibly challenging education climate. While West Virginia makes steps forward, many students worry about the future.