Wednesday morning, April 17, educators, stakeholders, students, and their supporters participated in a “Teacher Walk-in”, a statewide demonstration of solidarity with the hope of shining a light on public school funding issues. Statistics show that Florida ranks nationally as one of the lowest, when it comes to funding for public education. Teachers, are barred from striking under state law, so this peaceful but powerful protest was organized throughout Florida’s public schools to show the the importance of public education, and how funding needs to become a priority in the eyes of Florida lawmakers.

Upthegrove Elementary School’s “Teacher Walk-in” was led by Coach Cathy Adams, who began with a prayer, and then rallied on the crowded gym full of students, by declaring, “We are here to show, Tallahassee, and anyone who will listen, that we are worth it! All of the teachers here, we do what we do because we love you and we want to make you the best you can be. All of you are our future! All of you are important to society! You are the future leaders of this great country! We are going to walk into school, this morning, unified!”

The students cheered back, and began chanting, “We are worth it! Go, Eagles!” as they proudly marched, alongside their teachers, into their classrooms.