That’s why it hit me so hard when district officials told me I wasn’t allowed to hold a sign that simply said, “Stand with our teachers.” I wore the uniform to defend our rights, and I know what that freedom is supposed to mean. For the school board and administration to try to shut parents and grandparents up when we show support for teachers — that’s not what public schools should be about.
Instead of working with educators, district leaders have chosen politics. They’ve weakened protections for teachers and undercut the very people who fight every day for kids like mine. The proof is in the pudding. Hundreds of educators have left the district and it’s only going to get worse if teachers don’t take a stand. So on Oct. 8, when educators walk out, I’ll be joining parents across our district to stand with them. They’re calling for smaller class sizes, more counselors, more support staff, and safer schools with the mental health resources kids need. Those aren’t extras — they’re the basics if we want our schools to be safe and strong.
I know the district will say the strike “hurts students.” Don’t buy that. What really hurts students are overcrowded classrooms, not enough counselors, and teachers leaving because they can’t afford to stay or don’t feel like their voices matter. Supporting teachers is the best way to support kids, period.
And this fight is bigger than just Colorado Springs. If teachers here are silenced, it sets the stage for the same thing to happen in other communities. That weakens public education everywhere. Every student in Colorado is at risk if we let politics and intimidation push teachers and families into the corner.
The truth is simple: when teachers are respected, kids do better. My grandkids are proof. They wake up excited for school because their teachers gave them the tools to heal, grow, and lead. Every child deserves that chance.
