Solidarity with UTLA

Read WEA President Kim Mead's letter of support for striking teachers in Los Angeles:

Dear teachers and educators of Los Angeles, 
 
I am writing to you on behalf of the members of the Washington Education Association – tens of thousands of educators in every community between the Canadian border and Columbia River; from the Pacific Ocean inland 360 miles to Idaho. Collectively we send you a message of hope and strength.  
 
We know that a vote to strike is not easy.  We know that you would rather be in school, working with your students. We also know that sometimes, extreme actions are necessary in order to take a stand for what is right and that striking is your last resort to stand up for public education in the city of Los Angeles. 
 
We support your commitment to achieve great things for your students and yourselves. 

• Your students deserve smaller class sizes. 
• Students in special education should have the teachers and specialists required to provide them the attention and the support they deserve. 
• Students are not one-size fits all. Investing in bilingual educators and dual language programs, providing curricula that reflect the diversity of the students so that kids from all backgrounds seem themselves reflected at school is critical for learning. Every student should enjoy a wide range of coursework to expand their minds and improve opportunity, including visual and performing arts and career and technical education. 
• All students should have, as a matter of course, access to nurses, counselors, social workers and teacher librarians.  
• And each student should have more learning and fewer standardized tests. 

Stand tall. Stay strong. And know you are not alone in your fight for your students, yourselves and the very heart of public education.  We are with you. 
 
In solidarity, 
 
Kim Mead
President, Washington Education Association