The other day I read an article about teachers in a school district in Georgia who had sent their students home to work on a math worksheet referencing slavery and beatings in the story problems. I was appalled after reading it and critical towards the decision these teachers thought was appropriate. But today my faith in educators was restored after reading about educators in Pennsylvania who’s district has fallen on hard times, yet they still continue to work without pay.

Chester Upland is one of the poorest districts in Pennsylvania and drugs, gang violence, and poverty plague the region’s students. Also, the district has some of the lowest paid teachers in the entire state. When an announcement was made that budget cuts had left the district without money for payroll, teachers were told to either find another job, or work without pay. But questions and concerns from students and parents about the continuance of class inspired some teachers to ban together and prevent school closures in the district.

In early January, members of the Chester Upland Education Association, the Chester Upland Education Support Personnel Association, an the state’s National Education Association hashed out an agreement stating that as long as individual educators and administrators could manage without the pay, they would continue with their jobs; in order to keep schools running as long as possible. 

Why is Chester Upland in such dire straits? You can thank Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett for cutting 860 million dollars from public education. Because of these cuts poorer district who lack tax bases to balance these cuts are unable to function like richer districts.

For now, Corbett certainly sees the error of his ways and the havoc he’s wreaked upon these teachers and their students. I just hope teachers won’t have to go too much longer without pay.