CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The leader of the one of the state’s teacher organizations says he’s sensing new energy in the classroom with the new school year underway.
West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee said Tuesday on MetroNews “Talkline” he’s been able to travel the state in recent weeks as classes have started in various counties.
“What I’ve seen as I’ve traveled around the state is a sense of pride–the pride of being a West Virginia educator,” Lee said. “The actions taken this past winter have really put us on the map.”
Lee referring to the nine-day education workers strike that garnered broad support across the state.
Lee said the work stoppage was about respect in the profession.
“Realizing that we’re such an underpaid profession and we need to pay teachers more because we are the profession that leads to everything else,” Lee said. “We are the profession that gives hopes to students’ dreams.”
Teachers and school service personnel received pay raises which helped end the strike. The issue of the state workers health insurance is still being discussed.
Lee said everyone wants better results in West Virginia classrooms. He said teachers need to be part of the decision-making process.
“Then we will see some real growth,” Lee said.