On May 1, International Workers’ day, educators across the nation stepped outside their schools—not in protest, but with purpose. Wahawk educators joined a “walk-in” event as part of a National Day of Action to show solidarity and highlight the challenges and significance of public education. 

International Workers’ Day is a time historically dedicated to honoring the contributions of workers as they advocate for fair labor practices. In that same spirit, educators across the country used the day to reaffirm the vital role public schools and educators play in our society.

This event was organized by teacher leaders and the Waterloo Education Association. Sara Kavalier, a West High English teacher and WEA representative for the Waterloo Community School District shares that, “The world of public education is an interesting place right now with the focused, concentrated attacks and the walk in was an event on a National Day of Action to show solidarity and help share the importance of public education.”

 The simple act of gathering together, united and visible, carried a lot of meaning. “It was one small way to connect our district, our state, and our country by being visibly present, showing up as supporters of public education and our students,” Kavalier noted.

A System Under Strain

The walk-in comes at a time of increasing concern about the financial health of public school systems both in Iowa and across the country. Many districts are grappling with budget shortfalls due to stagnant state funding and declining enrollment, which are compounded by complex school finance regulations that often confuse the public.

With the current budget cuts in our district, many jobs are on the line. Kavalier highlights that “Waterloo isn’t alone in this. Des Moines was facing a $14 million shortfall when I saw the numbers in February. Waterloo was comparable to Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Sioux City with $7 – $9 million shortfalls.”

Kavalier also praised the Waterloo Education Association (WEA) for its dedication to protecting student learning amid financial difficulties. “WEA is doing everything we can to advocate for teachers and students. Our conversations with the district have focused on preventing cuts that would harm student learning. We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to share teacher voices in this process. Most districts don’t ask for feedback from staff.”

The Human Side of Teaching

More than just financial issues, the participants in the walk-in stressed the deeper mission of public education—nurturing humanity. 

Kavalier, who teaches literature, emphasized that her classroom endeavors extend far beyond analyzing texts. “Yes, I’m teaching a novel in my literature class, but it’s as important, if not more so, that we’re exploring what it means to be human via that piece of literature, and we’re being exposed to others’ thoughts who view the same text differently than we do because of the individualized experiences that we’ve had in our lives.”

This emphasis on empathy, communication, and critical thinking underlines the complex and profoundly meaningful work educators undertake daily. “Most people think they know what teaching is because we all went to school,” Kavalier added. “But there are so many more elements to the job where people are giving countless hours to helping students succeed, all while there are so many different measures of what that success is.”

Lisa Jordahl, a social studies teacher at West, shares that while “The view of public education can be quite pessimistic, and so I thought it was an easy way to visibly show care and support of public education.”

Jordahl also shares that it is disheartening to hear about the budget cuts. “I remember school budget cuts when I was a student, and the negative impact it had on me, my classmates, my teachers/school staff, and the community. It was devastating to see beloved teachers/staff let go, and programs being cut.” 

The impending $10 million in budget cuts is threatening not only teachers but also student programs and organizations. Reducing programs like the IGNITE pathways, which is a pre-apprenticeship program at the Waterloo Career Center, takes crucial opportunities away from children. “I am saddened by the lost opportunities for students due to these cuts.”

These budget cuts also call for removing 11 of the district’s 17 librarians. As the daughter of a librarian, senior Aerz Johnson was more than passionate about this cut. Johnson shared her thoughts at a school board meeting where the announcement was made, sharing that “access to the library would be the most detrimental thing that a board can take away because it houses so many resources such as books, research materials, computers, and a safe space.”

A Call for Community Support

 The May Day walk-in wasn’t just a one-off occasion; it symbolizes a larger movement advocating for and investing in the future of public education. Teachers like Kavalier and Jordahl are urging communities to listen, learn, and stand shoulder to shoulder with them, not only on symbolic days but every single day.