Writing for Guardian, Payday Senior Labor Reporter Mike Elk filed a dispatch from Richmond on a historic day for educators in the Commonwealth State:
“I am ecstatic about today’s turnout especially because sometimes, we as teachers don’t always come out, we don’t always speak out, we don’t always let our voices be heard, so I am excited that we are out here today doing just that,” said Milondra Coleman, who teaches at John Marshall High in Richmond.
Although the walkout lasted for only one day and many school districts in Virginia did not participate, Coleman said that the action gave teachers a new sense of confidence and power.
“I think this will definitely take us to a different level,” said Coleman. “I think one of the things that teachers often fear is that there will be some type of repercussions for speaking out. So I think today shows
that, you know what, we can do it and there aren’t going to be any repercussions, and instead there can be positive things that can happen for taking the time to speak out.”
